Archive for the ‘Meals in Minutes’ Category

Meals in Minutes — Open-Face Omelet

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Some nights I crave breakfast for dinner and on these nights an omelet makes a delicious meal.  It’s healthy, filling, and can be made in a matter of minutes.  I like to make omelets later in the week or on the weekend since they are a great way to use up any leftovers that may have accumulated in the fridge during the week.  If you don’t have zucchini you can sauté any veggies you have on hand.

Open-Face Omelet

(Yield:  1 serving)

1 1/2 tsp olive oil, divided

1 small (about 1/3 lb) zucchini, cleaned and thinly sliced

1 small clove garlic, minced

2 eggs, beaten

1 oz cheese, shredded or thinly sliced (I used Swiss)

Salt and pepper

Toast (optional, for serving)

Preheat the broiler.  Heat 1 tsp of oil in a small pan (a 6 or 8-inch pan works well) over medium to medium-high heat.  Add the zucchini and a dash of salt and pepper, and sauté about 4 minutes (stirring frequently), until it softens and starts to turn golden in spots.  Turn off the heat and add the garlic, stirring for 1 minute (the heat from the zucchini and the pan will cook the garlic).  Transfer the zucchini and garlic to a bowl and set aside. 

To the same pan add the remaining 1/2 tsp oil and heat the pan over medium heat.  Season the eggs with a dash of salt and pepper and add them to the pan.  Let the eggs set on the bottom (this should take only about 10 seconds), then use a rubber spatula to push in the edges of the egg and allow the unset egg to run to the bottom of the pan.  Once the eggs are set but not overcooked, transfer the zucchini/garlic mixture onto the eggs and top with the cheese.  (To serve open-face, do not fold the omelet over.)

Broil the omelet for about a minute, or until the cheese is melted.  Serve with toast if desired.

Meals in Minutes — White Bean & Zucchini Soup

Tuesday, March 30th, 2010

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow we’ll start taking submissions for your Easter recipes on All Through the Year Cheer…there will be a fantastic prize for the winner!  You can submit any recipe that says Easter to you.  Brandy and I can’t wait to see what you all came up with.

 

Also, be sure to check out the lovely Krista’s fantastic Nature’s Path Granola Bar Giveaway!

 

When it starts to get warmer out I’m always on the lookout for healthy meals that keep me full and satisfied but don’t sit heavily in my stomach.  This soup is hearty enough to fill you up but light enough to not weigh you down.  It’s the type of soup I don’t mind eating even on warm spring days.  The best thing is it’s a nourishing, delicious meal ready in a matter of minutes.

img_5278-smallWhite Bean & Zucchini Soup

 

(Yield:  2 servings)

 

1 TB olive oil

1 small zucchini, cleaned and chopped into bite-size pieces

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15 oz) can white beans, rinsed and drained (such as cannellini, navy, great northern, etc.)

1 chicken or vegetable bouillon cube

Salt and pepper to taste

 

In a small-medium pot, heat the oil in a small pan over medium to medium-high heat.  Add the zucchini and sauté about 4 minutes (stirring frequently), until it softens and starts to turn golden in spots.  Add the garlic and sauté about 30 seconds, stirring constantly.  Add the beans, bouillon, and 1 1/2 c of water, and turn the heat up to medium or medium-high heat; bring the soup up to a boil then turn off the heat.  Blend the soup (I used an immersion blender, but you could also use a food processor or blender) until it reaches your desired consistency.  Taste the soup and season with salt and pepper.

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Meals in Minutes — Warm Veggie Wrap

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

I usually try to be organized and plan out mine and Mike’s dinners for the week.  Lunches, on the other hand, are a different story.  A free-for-all, basically.  I typically pack both of our lunches based on sandwiches or whatever leftovers I find in the fridge.  During a normal weekday lunch I don’t usually get to enjoy a meal as delicious as the one I am about to share with you.  If you have leftovers and want a fantastic meal ready in about five minutes, this is the meal for you.  It’s ready in minutes, filling, and completely customizable. 

img_4987-smallWarm Veggie Wrap

 

(Yield:  1 wrap)

 

1 flatbread (I used a Kontos multigrain flatbread)

About 3/4 c chopped broccoli, steamed

1/4 c cherry tomatoes, halved

1 TB chopped onion (or scallion)

2 slices turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled

1 oz cheese (I used Colby-Monterey)

Dash pepper

 

Preheat the oven to 500F.  Assemble the veggies on top of the flatbread, then top with the cheese, bacon, and a dash of pepper.  Bake for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly crispy on the edges.

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Meals in Minutes — Guacamole BLT

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Most people know that avocados are really fruits rather than vegetables, but until recently I had no idea that avocados are actually large berries that come from the same family as cinnamon, camphor, and bay laurel (for more info on avocados, see here).  Avocados are known for their creamy texture and buttery flavor, and are used in a variety of sweet and savory recipes. 

img_4821-smallMy next Meals in Minutes post is a sandwich – Guacamole BLT.  The salty, crispy bacon and the smooth, creamy avocado pair perfectly, and the tomato and lemon juice really help to brighten the avocado’s flavor.  Since it’s mashed, guacamole is the perfect way to use up leftover avocado.

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Guacamole BLT

 

(Yield:  1 sandwich)

 

2 slices multigrain bread (or any bread you like)

2-3 slices turkey bacon, cooked

2 large leaves lettuce, washed and dried

1/4 avocado

1/4 c cherry tomatoes, quartered

1 scallion, thinly sliced

1 tsp lemon juice

Dash salt and pepper

 

Toast the bread.  Mash the avocado and stir in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper; then mix in the tomato and scallion.  Spread the avocado mixture on one slice of bread, then top with the lettuce, turkey bacon, and the remaining slice of bread.

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Meals in Minutes & Sweet & Nutty Salad, Any Way You Like

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

The other day Mike and I were talking about post ideas for my blog when he came up with a fantastic suggestion.  I was telling him that a lot of my recipes are pretty long and I wanted to start sharing some quicker ones, when he reminded me that most of my lunches (as well as some of my dinners) are made in a matter of minutes.  Plus they’re usually healthy, filling, and pretty tasty.  Mike suggested I do posts on some of my blogworthy lunch recipes and call them “Meals in Minutes.”  (Isn’t he adorable?!)  I thought it was a great idea, so I’ll occasionally be sharing with you some of my favorite quick meals. 

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Sweet & Nutty Base

My first Meal in Minutes is my standard (but definitely not ordinary ;) ) salad.  The salad base includes salad greens, dried fruit for sweetness, and toasted nuts or seeds.  If possible, make sure to toast your seeds or nuts because toasting really helps to develop their flavor.  The fastest way to toast nuts or seeds is in a dry skillet on the stovetop over medium heat.  Just give them a little shake every so often and take them off the heat once they’re fragrant, then let them cool before adding to your salad.

This is my go-to salad base because it always delivers as far as flavor and texture go.  When it comes to salad, I think texture is just as important as flavor (imagine limp lettuce, mushy tomatoes, or slimy bell peppers and you’ll know what I mean). 

This salad is completely customizable in every way…to make it, start with about 3 cups of your favorite salad greens, add a sprinkle of your favorite dried fruit and nuts, add lean protein and any other veggies/fruit/herbs you want, and then whisk together a custom salad dressing to drizzle on top.

img_4995-small3Dried Fruit Suggestions:  Raisins, figs, currants, cherries, blueberries, apple, pineapple, banana, etc.

 

Nut & Seed Suggestions:  Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pecans, macadamia nuts, etc.

 

Add-In Suggestions: 

·         Raw veggies:  Carrot; broccoli; green beans; cherry tomatoes; bell pepper; etc.

·         Roasted veggies:  Zucchini; sweet potato; squash; beets; etc.

·         Fruit:  Apple; pear; grapes; strawberries; kiwi; orange; pineapple; etc.

·         Lean protein:  Low fat cheese; cottage cheese; hummus; beans; eggs; grilled chicken/fish/steak (this is a great place for leftovers!); tofu; etc.

·         Herbs:  Basil; chives; parsley; cilantro; mint; etc.

·         Other:  Dried, unsweetened, flaked coconut; olives; etc.

 

The Dressing (Enough for 1 Salad):  Just whisk together the following ingredients and then drizzle on top of the salad:

·         1 tsp olive oil

·         1/2 to 1 tsp vinegar (such as apple cider, balsamic, red wine, etc.; or you can use lemon juice)

·         1/4 tsp Dijon mustard

·         1/4 tsp liquid sweetener (such as honey, maple syrup, jam, etc.)

·         Dash salt and pepper

img_4486-small2Salad Inspirations:  Here are a few of my favorite combinations to give you some ideas:

·         Dried currants, walnuts, sliced apple, and sharp Cheddar with apple cider vinaigrette

·         Raisins, pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, olives, and hummus with lemon juice vinaigrette

·         Dried apricots, almonds, sliced oranges, bell pepper, and grilled chicken with white balsamic vinaigrette

·         Dried cranberries, walnuts, roasted sweet potato, and goat cheese with apple cider vinaigrette