a quick lunch

Wow - it's been far too long since I've posted!  And just where have I been?  Having a baby and eating lots of food that other people have cooked for me!  While I do miss being in the kitchen some, it's very nice to know you have a meal already made for dinner when the baby decides he wants to be fussy or eat around 5:30, right when you need to be making dinner.  :)

Now, I have had to cook some of course, but snapping a picture and posting about it hasn't been a priority.  And I feel like most of what I've been making are desserts and sweet treats... the things I crave while I'm nursing a baby.
Things like this banana tres leches cake (with a few modifications due to lack of ingredients... like using all coconut milk instead of the other kinds).  But it was Delicious and I would highly recommend this dessert if you like banana at all.  Even if you usually don't like banana, you might be surprised by it... like my hubby.
And these cookies, to which I added chopped up candy bars (like snickers and baby ruth) in place of some of the chocolate chips.  Had to think of something to do with the leftover Halloween candy in the freezer.

But today we are going to talk about a quick lunch option... flatbread pizza.

The idea for the toppings on this pizza came from a friend, but of course you could use any you like.  The quick part is using a flatbread (or a pita bread) to make the pizza.

hummus, beet, and goat cheese flatbread pizza

Ingredients:
one flatbread (or pita)
hummus
beets
goat cheese
balsamic (I used a think balsamic glaze sauce)
pine nuts

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400.  Bake flatbread for a few minutes until it is crispy.  Top with hummus, beets, and goat cheese.  Bake for a few more minutes until the goat cheese is soft.  Drizzle with balsamic and sprinkle with pine nuts if desired.

make ahead lunch: quinoa salad

Quinoa.  It is quite the versatile food.  It can be eaten warm or cold, as a main dish or a side, it can be sweet or savory...

I think one of my favorite things about quinoa is that it eats like a grain, but isn't.  It is actually a seed... one that is full of protein and lots of other good things.  Last night for dinner I made quinoa as a sub for rice to go with our shrimp stir-fry, and used the leftovers to make a quinoa salad today.

Quinoa salad is super easy to make.  I always just use whatever herbs/veggies/cheese/meat/nuts I have on hand, toss it with a little olive oil & citrus or salad dressing, and the quinoa salad is complete.  Another great thing is that it lasts for several days in the fridge and the quinoa's texture doesn't change... like when pasta salad gets kind of soggy and the noodles fall apart after a few days.


tomato.spinach quinoa salad


Ingredients:
2 c. cooked quinoa
1 c. halved grape tomatoes
1 c. finely chopped fresh spinach
1/2 c. cooked chicken or turkey, cubed
1/3 c. shredded parmesan
2-4 T. olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp coriander
pepper to taste

Instructions:
Combine the quinoa, tomatoes, spinach, meat, and parmesan.  Stir until combined.  Sprinkle with seasonings and lemon juice.  Drizzle with 2 T. olive oil and stir together.  Taste and add more olive oil, salt & pepper until satisfied.

You can enjoy this salad right away, or refrigerate before eating.

Serves 2-4.


Other quinoa salad ideas (using a dressing/citrus that pairs with the salad):
mexican - black beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, cumin, lime, avocado (wouldn't keep as long with avocado)
mediterranean - sun-dried tomatoes, olives, fresh spinach, artichokes, pine nuts, basil, feta
cobb - bacon, tomatoes, corn, avocado, arugula, blue cheese, chopped walnuts
greek - chick peas, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, feta, oregano
fruity - dried cranberries, apples, blueberries, chopped almonds, fresh parsley
asian - carrots, edamame, shredded cabbage, snap peas, cilantro, lime, chopped peanuts
random - roasted beets, goat cheese, orange segments, green onion, chopped walnuts


purchasing side note:  If you live by a Costco, I would recommend buying your quinoa there, as you can get a big bag for $10.  Otherwise, grocery stores like Whole Foods sell it in bulk, or ones like Kroger would have it in their health food section.

make-ahead lunch: curry chicken salad

I've been hearing from some friends lately that they want more healthy options of what to eat for lunch.  Something that they can make ahead of time that maybe lasts for a few day so they don't have to make something new everyday.  

If you're a foodie like me that loves to think about what they are going to eat for their next meal and the highlight of their day is eating lunch (and then dessert :))... you probably don't have a problem with making a tasty and fantastic lunch!  But I've learned that not everyone thinks ahead and dreams about food, so when lunch time rolls around, there might not be great options on hand.

So I'm going to start posting more lunch options... hopefully things that stay fresh and tasty for a few days (if you are the kind of person that's ok with leftovers!).  This first recipe for chicken salad is good for a couple days, but probably not too much more than that since there is avocado in it.  Of course you could always leave the avocado out and it might stay fresher longer.

curry chicken salad

Ingredients:

1/2 c. plain fat-free yogurt

1/4 c. mayo (I like the kind that's made with olive oil)

juice from 1/2 lemon

2 tsp fresh oregano (or 1/2 - 1 tsp dried)

1/2 tsp curry powder

1/4 tsp tumeric

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp celery salt (or garlic salt or regular salt)

2 chicken breasts - cooked and cut into cubes

1 avocado - cut into cubes

1/2 c. grapes - cut in half

1/3 c. chopped walnuts

2 T minced onion

Instructions:

Mix together the yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, and seasonings.  Add in the chicken, grapes, walnuts, and onions.  Stir until combined.  Add in the avocado last and stir just a little more until it's coated with sauce.  Season with more salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.  

Yield:  4-5 servings

Eat over lettuce, in a tortilla, or make a sandwich!