Summer is a wonderful time! It means fun activities, exciting places to visit, and a long break from school. Unfortunately, summer doesn’t mean a break from work or lots of extra time on your hands. So if you are looking for a quick and healthy summer dish to prepare before the baseball game or bring to the potluck, this recipe is perfect for you!

I chose fresh Mediterranean ingredients for my pita pizza, but the wonderful thing about this recipe is it can be altered for any occasion or any taste. Just remember that if you choose to add meat, extra cooking time may be required.

• 4 Whole Wheat Pita Pockets

• 1 Cup Marinara Sauce

• 2 Cups Mozzarella Cheese (grated)

• ½ Red onion (chopped)

• ½ Cup Kalamata Olives (sliced)

• ½ Cup Marinated Artichoke Hearts (sliced)

• ¾ Cup Cherrie Tomatoes (cut in half)

• Salt, pepper, and oregano to taste

• Olive oil for brushing

Lightly brush the edges of the pita pocket with olive oil so that it will brown nicely in the oven. Spread an even layer of marinara sauce over the pita bread then simply layer on the other ingredients: tomatoes, onion, olives, artichoke, and finally the cheese (saving the cheese for last will help keep the other toppings in place after cooking). On top of the cheese, sprinkle salt and pepper to taste and don’t forget the oregano! This little herb gives the perfect final touch to the dish.

Now slip the pita under the oven’s broiler for about 30 seconds to one minute (be sure to watch the pizza carefully because it can burn in no time). Remember you are just browning the cheese on top, so it won’t take long.

There you have it, a delicious summer meal in less than 10 minutes! The added bonus of this dish is its high amounts of monounsaturated fats. These “good fats” have been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease and assist with blood sugar control, which is vital for people with type 2 diabetes.