I’ve never claimed to be a gourmet chef. I love to eat, I sort of like to cook and I have no desire to write a cookbook or host a Food Network show. Leave that to the experts. I like healthy, good and simple meals.
Here are a few lunches I enjoyed this week.
I prepped a protein-packed lunch to take to work
JL’s Four-Bean Salad
Serves 1
- 1/3 package of 3-bean medley from Trader Joe’s (here’s a handy-dandy vegan guide from TJ’s), which you can find in the produce section
- A handful of steamed and shocked green beans, diced
- 1 tomato
- 1/2 a large cucumber, diced
- 1/4 of a small onion, diced
- 1 small avocado, diced
- 2 strips of cooked Smart Bacon, diced
- 1/2 t dijon mustard
- 1/4 t agave syrup
- 1 t apple cider vinegar
- Dash of Herbamere
- Dash cayenne pepper
Simply mix, serve and enjoy!
Tuesday morning after a tough run I wanted a “serious” brunch. I sauteed 1/12 a block of pressed tofu, cubed, in olive oil and added 1/3 can of vegetarian refried beans. I added two handfuls of baby spinach and covered for a few minutes. While the scramble was simmering I toasted a piece of spelt bread, spread a thin layer of Tofutti sour cream over the toast and then added the scramble for an open-faced sandwich.
Delish.
On a dreary morning I wanted a filling, warm, comfort-food lunch to take to work. I started by cutting collard greens into strips, adding a bit of veggie broth and steamed them for one minute.
I then added 1/6 of a block of tofu, pressed and diced, 1/4 cup red beans, 2 heaping tablespoons of cooked red quinoa, a dash of Herbamere, a dash of Louisiana hot sauce and about 1/4 cup more veggie broth (fill up to 2 cups)
Three minutes in the microwave
and this piping hot, yummy lunch was still hot five hours later when I enjoyed it from my Thermos at work!
What are some of your favorite super-quick meals?
