Keep dinner simple (but delicious) on Halloween

You want nothing more than to curl up on the couch. Your kids are intent on spending the next four hours harassing neighbors for candy. And somehow you all need to eat something more substantial than candy corn.

The solution? Near instant pizzas assembled from just a handful of purchased ingredients.

Start with the base. This is no time for even the balls of prepared dough sold at most grocers. You're not likely to have time to roll it out, never mind the time needed to bake a crust that thick.

Better are large flour tortillas and flatbreads (split pita pocket breads will work, too). Since these already are cooked, right there you shave a good 10 minutes off your prep time.

The toppings are just as easy - and easily customized for picky goblins and finicky princesses. Jarred tomato sauce and shredded cheese are obvious. Make it more substantial with sliced deli meats (thin slices heat faster than large chunks).

And for the adults, here's an adaptation of a classic flatbread pizza from celebrity chef Todd English. It won't get you out of trick-or-treating, but at least you'll eat well before heading out the door.

Plus, filling up before you go makes it less likely you'll make yourself sick eating too many peanut butter cups.

---

FIG AND FETA FLATBREAD PIZZA

Start to finish: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

One 12-inch flatbread or flour tortilla

Olive oil cooking spray

2 to 3 tablespoons apricot or fig jam

1 clove garlic, minced

1 ounce sliced prosciutto or deli ham (about 4 to 5 slices)

1 ounce crumbled feta cheese (about 1/3 cup)

Ground black pepper

Heat the oven to 500 F.

Lay the flatbread or tortilla flat on a baking sheet. Spritz the bread with olive oil cooking spray.

Use the back of a spoon to spread the jam evenly over the bread. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the jam, using the spoon to spread it evenly if needed.

Arrange the prosciutto or ham in an even layer over the jam, them sprinkle the crumbled feta over it. Season with black pepper, then bake for 5 minutes, or until the cheese begins to brown. Cut into slices and serve.

Nutrition information per serving (values are rounded to the nearest whole number): 617 calories; 157 calories from fat; 17 g fat (7 g saturated; 0 g trans fats); 48 mg cholesterol; 94 g carbohydrate; 23 g protein; 4 g fiber; 1,652 mg sodium.

---

EDITOR'S NOTE: J.M. Hirsch can be e-mailed at jhirsch(at)ap.org.