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Taco Hand Pies with Cilantro Cream

Taco Hand Pies with Cilantro Cream

Bento Taco Hand Pies with Cilantro Cream

Cilantro Cream

 

1 C. fresh cilantro

½ fresh lime, squeezed

¼ C. whole-fat yogurt

2 T. heavy cream

1 tsp. cumin

½ tsp. garlic powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Ham, Swiss & Apricot Pinwheels

Ham, Swiss & Apricot Pinwheels

Ham, Swiss & Apricot Pinwheels

 

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

1/4 C. apricot preserves

1/4 pound sliced Swiss cheese

1/4 pound sliced Ham

2 T. butter

 

Unfold pastry; layer with preserves, Swiss cheese and ham. Roll up jelly-roll style.

Cut into 16 slices. Place cut side down on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Brush melted butter over pastry. Bake at 400°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with apricot preserve on the side.

Apricot Turkey Pinwheels

Apricot Turkey Pinwheels

Apricot Turkey Pinwheels

 

1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed

¼ C. apricot preserves

½ tsp. ground mustard

½ C. shredded Monterey Jack cheese

¼ lb. sliced deli turkey

 

Unfold puff pastry; layer with apricot preserves, mustard, cheese and turkey. Roll up jelly-roll style. Cut into 16 slices. Place cut side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Freeze option: Freeze cooled appetizers in a resealable freezer container. To use, reheat appetizers on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a preheated 400° oven until crisp and heated through.

Arriba! Pasta Salad

Arriba! Pasta Salad

Arriba! Pasta Salad

8oz penne pasta

2 cups frozen corn

15oz can black beans, drained & rinsed

1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes, halved OR 1 can fire roasted tomatoes, drained

4oz can sliced black olives

½ cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded

 

1/3 cup Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise)

2 T. lime juice

2 T. Arriba Seasoning

 

Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and rinse. Set aside. In a large bowl, whisk all the dressing items until well combined. Toss in pasta on top of dressing. Then add corn, black beans, tomatoes, olives, and cheese. Using two large spoons, combine all ingredients in the bowl until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Zucchini Fritters Lunchbox

Zucchini Fritters Lunchbox

 

1 ½ pounds zucchini, grated (about 3 medium)

1 tsp. salt

1 large egg

2 tsp. Italian seasoning (or favorite all-purpose seasoning)

¼ cup all-purpose flour

¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Oil for frying

1–pint of cherry tomatoes

2 T. olive oil

Salt & pepper to taste

 

Place the shredded zucchini in a colander, sprinkle with ¼ tsp. salt, and let it sit for about 10 minutes. Transfer the zucchini to a clean kitchen towel and ring out the excess moisture. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and Italian seasoning until combined. Add the grated zucchini, flour, and Parmesan cheese, and stir to form a cohesive batter. In a large, non-stick skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add T.-sized mounds of the zucchini mixture, flatten the mound with a spatula, and cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottoms are golden brown. Flip over each zucchini fritter and cook an additional 2 minutes until golden brown. Transfer the cooked fritters to a paper towel-lined plate and repeat with the remaining fritter mixture. Place the cherry tomatoes in a small bowl, and toss with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and black pepper. To pack for lunch, place 3-4 zucchini fritters in a compartmentalized lunch container, and fill the empty compartments with a portion of the tomato salad and your choice of snack. Close the lunch container and pack it into a lunch bag with an ice pack.

Healthy Carrot Cucumber Rolls

Healthy Carrot Cucumber Rolls

Healthy Carrot Cucumber Rolls

 

2 medium cucumbers

1 large carrot

100 grams (3,5 oz) cream cheese

¼ teaspoon seasoning (Curry Powder, Celery Powder, etc.)

 

Wash and dry the carrot and cucumbers.  Gently peel the cucumbers into strips with a vegetable peeler. Leave the skin aside and continue peeling. If you have a hard time peeling because of the seeds, turn over the other side and start peeling from there. Set aside the cucumber strips.  Peel the carrot with a vegetable peeler.  Set aside.  Combine cream cheese and curry powder in a small bowl with a spoon.  Center carrot strip over cucumber strip.  Take one teaspoon of curry cream cheese and using a knife,  lay it as much as you need on wide end of the carrot.  Roll the carrot cucumber strips tightly and secure with a toothpick.

Hawaiian Puff Wheels

Hawaiian Puff Wheels

Hawaiian Puff Wheels

 

¾ cup sliced deli ham, finely chopped

13 oz package of puff pastry sheets, thawed

1 ¼ cup cheddar cheese, shredded

½ cup crushed pineapple, well drained

 

Preheat oven to 375°F. Over the kitchen sink, drain crushed pineapple well, making sure you squeeze all the liquid out. On a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry dough sheets. Spread deli ham and crushed pineapple evenly over both sheets. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar. Carefully roll the dough, starting with a long side so that you end up with a long log. Cut the filled dough into 1-inch thick pieces and pace on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and they have risen. Remove from oven and cool. Assemble pinwheels inside the lunch container. No warming necessary. Serve with fresh fruit and veggies.

Tortellini Caprese Bites

Tortellini Caprese Bites

Tortellini Caprese Bites

 

1 (9-oz.) package refrigerated cheese-filled tortellini

3 cups halved grape tomatoes

3 (8-oz.) containers fresh small mozzarella cheese balls

60 (6-inch) wooden skewers

Basil Vinaigrette

Optional, pitted Black Olives

 

Prepare tortellini according to package directions. Rinse under cold running water. Thread 1 tomato half, 1 cheese ball, another tomato half, and 1 tortellini onto each skewer. Place skewers in a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Pour Basil Vinaigrette over skewers, turning to coat. Cover and chill 2 hours. Transfer skewers to a serving platter, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Discard any remaining vinaigrette.

Jicama and Melon Salad

Jicama and Melon Salad

Jicama and Melon Salad

 

2 cups thin slivers jicama (to be extra, you can slice it thinly and cut with small veggie cutter into shapes)

2 cups cubed honeydew melon

3 T. fresh lime juice

3 T. chopped fresh mint leaves

1 tsp. lime zest

2 tsp. honey

 

Toss together the jicama, honeydew, lime juice, mint, lime zest, and honey in a bowl; cover. Refrigerate 2 hours.

Baked Tofu

Baked Tofu

Baked Tofu

 

These chewy, savory nuggets are an excellent make-ahead protein option for meatless lunches.

 

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Cut one 14 to 16 oz block of extra-firm tofu into 1 in slabs. Place a double layer of paper towels onto a baking sheet and arrange the tofu slabs in a single layer on top. Cover with a double layer of paper towels and set another baking sheet on top. Place a heavy cast-iron skillet or several large cans onto the baking sheet to weigh it down for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together 3 T. of soy sauce, 1 T. of sesame oil, and 1 T. of maple syrup. Cut the pressed tofu into 1 in cubes, gently toss in the marinade, and let sit for several minutes. Arrange the tofu in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet and bake until lightly browned, about 30 minutes, turning the pieces over halfway through baking. Makes about 2 cups [320 g].

Cheese Tortellini Antipasti Skewers

Cheese Tortellini Antipasti Skewers

Cheese Tortellini Antipasti Skewers

 

1 cup Cherry Tomatoes

1 Pack Salami Slices

1 cup Mozzarella Bites

½ cup Green Olives

½ cup Kalamata Olives

2 cup Cooked Cheese Tortellini

 

⅓ cup Pesto (thinned to dip consistency)

12 6” Wooden Skewers

 

Thread all ingredients except pesto on skewers.  Serve drizzled with pesto or with pesto for dipping.

Bruschetta  with Fresh Burrata, Seared Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic

Bruschetta  with Fresh Burrata, Seared Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic

Bruschetta  with Fresh Burrata, Seared Cherry Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic

 

1 head of garlic – large

1½ cup cherry tomatoes

5 slices prosciutto

⅔ cup olive oil

¼ cup kalamata olives

Italian herb seasoning – a small sprinkle

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 loaf rustic Italian bread

16 oz. burrata – or fresh mozzarella

basil  – for garnish

salt & pepper

 

Prepare the Bruschetta Topping: Preheat oven to 375 F., and peel a full head of garlic. Remove all of the cloves. Slice off the little ends, and slice the large cloves either in half or in thirds. You want them to be bitesize. Place the garlic in a small bowl with 3 tbsp. of olive oil and a liberal sprinkle of salt and pepper. Gently stir to fully coat garlic in oil. Create a flat “bowl” of foil on a baking sheet or Pyrex that’s large enough that the garlic can lay without overlapping, and all of the oil stays contained. Roast garlic for 20-25 minutes (watching it carefully after 15 minutes and removing when it’s golden brown). While the garlic roasts, place 1½ cups of cherry tomatoes in a pan with 2 tbsp. of olive oil on the hottest burner. Swish them around in the pan to ensure they’re coated in oil. Cover them with a lid. Turn the heat to medium-high, and allow them to cook for 7-8 minutes without stirring them in the pan, or moving them at all. Lift the lid periodically to allow steam to release. Once the tomatoes are done, unstick them from the pan with a spoon and let them sit in the pan until the garlic is ready. Once the garlic is golden brown, remove it from the oven and drain the oil into a bowl to save for later. You’ll use this garlic oil to dip your bread into before toasting. Add roasted garlic and ¼ cup of kalamata olives to the pan with 2 more tbsp. of olive oil, 1 tbsp. of balsamic vinegar and a small sprinkle of Italian herb seasoning. Turn the heat to medium and gently sauté the ingredients for 5 minutes, making sure not to break up the tomatoes. If you intend to serve the bruschetta cold, place the topping in a container and allow it to cool for 45 minutes to an hour in the refrigerator.

 

Prepare the Prosciutto Roses: Remove a slice of prosciutto as carefully as you can from the package so it does not stick to other pieces. Use kitchen scissors to cut the piece into 4 smaller pieces. Fold each piece in half and roll each piece into a pretty rose. Do the same to another piece so you have 8 roses. Set aside.

 

Assemble the Bruschetta: Pre-heat your oven or toaster oven to 350 F., and slice bread into ½ inch slices. Add 2 more tbsp. of olive oil to the garlic oil you set aside and pour onto a plate. Dip each bread slice into the garlic oil. Toast breads for 15 to 20 minutes. Lay your garlic toasts down and add a very nice helping of burrata on the right side of each one. Spoon the tomato topping on the right side of the toast, making sure to get a little tomato, garlic and olives on each one. Top with a little prosciutto rose and basil and serve.

Garlic Chicken Spring Rolls with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Garlic Chicken Spring Rolls with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

Garlic Chicken Spring Rolls with Avocado Cilantro Sauce

1 T. olive oil

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. ground black pepper

1/8 tsp. garlic powder

1 C. cooked quinoa (optional)

1 cucumber, thinly sliced

6 leaves fresh iceberg lettuce

6 rice spring roll papers

 

1 avocado, pitted and peeled

1/2 C. plain greek yogurt

1 C. unsweetened almond milk

1 cilantro bunch

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 T. lime juice

 

For the Garlic Chicken Spring Rolls: Cook the chicken in olive oil over medium-high heat and season with sea salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Once fully cooked, remove from heat, allow to cool, and dice. Dip one sheet of rice paper in warm water for about 3-4 seconds or hold under running water, until the paper becomes fully moistened with water. Then, lay the wrapper onto your work surface which should be clean and flat.  Near the bottom of your prepped spring roll wrapper and in the center, lay out the cucumber, iceberg lettuce, and diced chicken (and optional quinoa).   Fold the bottom over the chicken, then fold the uncovered sides inward, then tightly roll the wrapper all the way, as tightly wrapped as possible. Then repeat with the remaining ingredients. For the Avocado Cilantro Dipping Sauce: In a food processor or blender, combine avocado, Greek yogurt, almond milk, cilantro, garlic powder, sea salt, and freshly squeezed lime juice. Blend together until smooth. You can add a little more almond milk if it’s too thick.

 

Serving Size: 1 Roll w/ sauce

Calories: 202

Fat: 9.3g

Fiber:3.4g

Prosciutto-Wrapped Basil Shrimp

Prosciutto-Wrapped Basil Shrimp

Prosciutto-Wrapped Basil Shrimp

20 large frozen peeled deveined shrimp, thawed

1 T. chopped fresh basil

1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. lemon zest

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

10 (about 4 oz.) very thin slices prosciutto

Cooking spray

8 lemon wedges, for serving

 

Preheat broiler. In a medium bowl, combine the shrimp, basil, olive oil, zest, salt, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Mix well and set aside. Lay the prosciutto slices on a large work surface, and cut prosciutto in half lengthwise so you have 20 pieces. Wrap the prosciutto around each shrimp, leaving the tail hanging out, and thread on an 8-inch skewer. Repeat with remaining shrimp for a total of 4 skewers with 5 shrimp each. Place the skewers on a broiling pan lightly coated with cooking spray. Broil the shrimp 2 minutes on each side. Serve hot with lemon wedges.

 

Serving Size: 5 Shrimp

Calories: 99

Fat: 5g

Fiber: 0g

Chicken, Spinach and Gruyère Turnovers

Chicken, Spinach and Gruyère Turnovers

Chicken, Spinach and Gruyère Turnovers

 

2 small skinless, boneless chicken breasts, about 3/4 lb. (375 g) total weight, or 1 1/2 cups (9 oz./280 g) shredded rotisserie chicken

1 T. olive oil

2 T. chopped shallots

1/2 lb. (250 g) fresh spinach leaves, tough stems removed

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

2 T. heavy cream

All-purpose flour for rolling

2 sheets frozen puff pastry (one 17 oz./530 g package), thawed

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/4 lb. (125 g) Gruyère cheese, shredded

Dijon mustard for serving

 

If using chicken breasts, place them in a saucepan with cold water to cover by 1 inch (2.5 cm) and 1/2 tsp. salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer until the chicken is opaque throughout, about 18 minutes. Drain and let cool. When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken. Set aside. Preheat an oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a fry pan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Add the shallots and sauté until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and sauté just until wilted, about 3 minutes. Stir in the cream and cook just until combined, about 1 minute. On a floured work surface, cut the puff pastry sheets in half to make 4 rectangles. Brush the edges with the egg. Pile the cooked chicken, spinach, and cheese on half of each of the rectangles, leaving a 1/2-inch (12-mm) border. Fold the uncovered half of each rectangle over to cover the lower half. Crimp the edges with the tines of a fork. Using the tip of a sharp knife, cut a few small slits in the top of each turnover. Brush the tops with egg and place on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 22 to 24 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve with mustard on the side. Serves 4.

Mini Tortellini Kabobs

Mini Tortellini Kabobs

Mini Tortellini Kabobs

1/2 C. extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 C. red wine vinegar

3 tsp. honey

2 tsp. lemon juice

2 T. grated Parmesan cheese

3/4 tsp. garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning

pinch of cracked red pepper flakes

pinch of black pepper

For the Kabobs

8 ounce package refrigerated cheese tortellini

4 ounces provolone cheese (6 thin slices), cut into small squares

50 thin slices salami

50 pimiento-stuffed green olives

toothpicks

 

To make the dressing, put all of the ingredients into a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake vigorously until well blended and emulsified. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a plastic ziploc bag, combine the tortellini and salad dressing; seal bag and refrigerate for 3 hours (or overnight.) Drain tortellini and discard the marinade. On each toothpick, thread pasta, salami (folded in half, and then in half again), and 1-2 slices of cheese, followed by an olive. Serve and enjoy!

Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins

Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins

Ham and Cheddar Lunch Box Muffins

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled, divided
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 ounces thick-cut deli ham (1/2-inch thick), diced
3 tablespoons finely chopped chives, divided
Freshly ground black pepper

Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 375°F. Line a standard 12-well muffin pan with papers liners or coat the wells with cooking spray. Whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, garlic powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Whisk the buttermilk, eggs, and 5 tablespoons of the butter in a medium bowl until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. Some lumps are fine. Fold in the cheese, all but 1/2 cup of the ham, and 2 tablespoons of the chives. Spoon the batter into the muffin wells, filling each about 3/4 full. Top the muffins with the reserved ham, sprinkle with the remaining chives, and sprinkle with pepper. Top each muffin with 1/2 teaspoon of the remaining melted butter. Bake until the tops just begin to brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool the muffins in the pan for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. RECIPE NOTES: Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for 3 months. Eat cold or reheat in the toaster oven for a few minutes before serving.

Ploughman’s Lunch

Ploughman’s Lunch

This picture is a less traditional ploughman’s.  Not sure why I am a bit obsessed with them lately.  Probably evolution of my bento obsession, and that I am packing lunches for myself since I have been back in college.