Quick summer time lunch
So because it's getting hot here (and because I'm pregnant), I'm craving lots of cold, fresh foods. Side note, I had Jason's Deli for lunch the other day with a friend for the first time in like 10 years, and the salad bar was SO refreshing!! I'm trying to remember what all I put in my salad so that I can recreate it, because it was super delicious. Do people even go to Jason's Deli anymore? I'm okay with the free ice cream that comes with every meal....🙋
Heyyyy guys!! How are things going in your neck of the woods (who says that?)?? Over here in Oklahoma, we went straight from winter to summer with only a few days of spring. And to that I say, "BOOOOO!!". Spring is my favorite season. I love seeing all of the dead trees and grass come to life with a bright green color. And the weather is absolutely glorious--it's a break from all of the cold weather and instead has a nice crisp air that isn't cold, but refreshing. Welp, I only got to enjoy that a few sporadic days. Welcome to Oklahoma weather 🙄.
So because it's getting hot here (and because I'm pregnant), I'm craving lots of cold, fresh foods. Side note, I had Jason's Deli for lunch the other day with a friend for the first time in like 10 years, and the salad bar was SO refreshing!! I'm trying to remember what all I put in my salad so that I can recreate it, because it was super delicious. Do people even go to Jason's Deli anymore? I'm okay with the free ice cream that comes with every meal....🙋
Today's recipe isn't as much of a recipe as it is a guide for creating a delicious and easy lunch that can easily be prepped ahead for multiple lunches. I receive periodic packages from Bolthouse Farms (I was not compensated for writing this post) and the most recent package had their new organic vinaigrette dressings. I'm a big fan. I got this three herb and a lemon basil one. They also send us delicious juices and smoothies that Isaac loves as snacks (I liked their green juice one).
For this batch, I used Banza pasta to give it more fiber and protein and really enjoyed the hearty texture. I also used some pimiento-stuffed green olives that we had on hand, but you could use any olive to give it a nice saltiness. Feel free to use whatever veggies you wish. I wish I had had artichokes, because I think that would be a nice addition. If you try them in it, you should let me know what you think.
P.S. Baby will be 17 weeks tomorrow and we find out the gender in 3 weeks. We are SO excited!!!
Quick Summer Time Pasta
Ingredients
- 8 oz spiral pasta, cooked according to package instructions (I used Banza)
- 3 cups chopped veggies: spinach, broccoli, carrots, cherry tomatoes, olives, whatever YOU want
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Bolthouse Farms Three Herb dressing (amount depends on your preference)
- Squeeze of lemon
- 3 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- Optional choice of protein: I think chickpeas or shrimp would be delicious in this!
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to directions and rinse in cold water to cool the pasta down. Chop your veggies of choice and combine with the pasta, feta cheese, dressing, squeeze of lemon, basil leaves, and protein, if using. You can eat immediately or leave leftover in the fridge for several days. If you are packing for lunches, you could put the dressing on the bottom of your container with the salad on top and shake right before serving.
Homemade Maple Oatmeal Bread
Hello readers! I recently posted an instagram story of a peanut butter and banana sandwich on homemade bread for a snack I was eating (because lately second breakfasts are a much needed thing) and I got several requests for the recipe for the bread. So per your request, I whipped up another batch to take some pictures (and let's be honest--so that I could have it for snacks/meals again this week) and am providing the recipe here!....You're welcome.
In high school, one of my best friend's mom made everything from scratch, including their bread. I mean, she would make their burger buns homemade. Talk about GOALS. And pretty much everyday my friend would pack a peanut butter sandwich on her mom's bread for lunch at school. One weekend I spent time with them and her mom brought me a pb sandwich and I was IN HEAVEN. The bread is dense and chewy and it goes perfectly with peanut butter and banana. And don't get me started on how great it is toasted. I don't know what it is, but it's got the perfect crunch.
I tried making the bread throughout high school, but could never get the dough to rise and I always ended up with a brick. Thankfully I no longer try to make recipes with dense whole wheat flour and sugar free pancake syrup 🙈 (it doesn't work, people). When I got married, my friend's mom was so sweet to give me a bread machine so that I could always make her bread for Isaac and I. Now, I don't actually use the bread machine for this recipe, but that's only because I don't know where the manual is for it and I have no clue which option to choose 😂
So the good news is that you can make this bread in your regular 'ol oven! And it's super fast because you don't have to wait hours for it to rise--instead you just need 20 minutes of rising time (see the recipe instructions below)!
I can't wait to hear about how it turns out for you and what you think!
Maple Oatmeal Bread
Ingredients
- 2 round tsp yeast
- 1 1/8 C warm water (or 1 cup and 2 Tbsp)
- 3 C all purpose flour (I use 2 C AP and 1 cup white whole wheat)
- 1 C old fashioned oats
- 1 tsp salt
- 5 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp neutral oil
Instructions
- Turn oven to 180 and place a shallow dish with 1/2 inch water on bottom rack. Mix yeast in warm water and set aside for 5 minutes. In a mixer with dough attachment hook, add all remaining ingredients, stir to mix, and then add yeast mixture. Mix on low for several minutes. Place in greased loaf pan and place in oven for 20 minutes to allow it to rise. Take loaf and shallow dish out of oven and increase oven to 350. Once it reaches 350, place dough back in oven and cook for 25 minutes. Cool bread before removing from the pan and cutting. Enjoy!
Galentine's Day Brunch
Hello and happy Valentine's Day!!! I hope yours has been off to a good start! I know this post probably would have been more helpful had I posted it sometime last week, or even the week before, but let's be honest; I'm the WORST at thinking ahead for holidays and special occasions. I'm seriously the person who buys shower gifts the day before and then buys the bags or wrapping paper the morning of. Christmas cards? Puhlease. I'm never going to think about doing them in time to send them out before Christmas. Please tell me I'm not the only one???
BUT, this idea isn't too late, because it's Wednesday and it's totally acceptable to throw a Galentine's Day brunch the weekend after Valentine's Day. Hopefully your gal friends are flexible and able to make plans a few days before. 😳 I was trying to think of what Valentine's Day themed recipe or post I could do and as I was thinking through it, I realized that there is probably a large majority of you who aren't in a relationship. Or maybe just got out of one and the day is really painful. Or maybe one of you is longing for a lifelong companion and has yet to find that person. So instead, I decided to focus this on celebrating with girlfriends. And let's be honest, hanging out with my girlfriends, eating good food, and watching chick flicks is more fun than hanging out with my husband sometimes. 😉
So for all you ladies out there--married, single, dating, "it's complicated", or recently single, this is for you!! I present to you Hearty Orange Raspberry heart waffles and Chocolate Covered Cherry smoothies. I wanted to do a strawberry mint mojito-like drink, but didn't get around to it. I totally think you should make slushy-like drinks with frozen strawberries, champagne (or moscato), fresh mint, and a squeeze of lime juice. Holy moly that would be refreshing.
So these waffles are super hearty, dense, and crispy. I don't like my cookies or my pancakes being crispy, but it's a must for waffles. And these also have a slight hint of orange that makes them refreshing. The trick to getting them to look like a heart is pouring a V into the middle of the waffle iron and giving is a reeeeally deep plunging V-neck. It's okay for your waffles to be indecent--we're going to looks, not decency.
For the chocolate covered cherry smoothies, you actually need to start them the night before (or a few hours before). They have soaked oats in them that give them a nice flavor AND make them super thick. I think adding a tablespoon of almond butter would also be a good addition, but you do whatever your heart desires. The day of the party, just throw the ingredients in your blender and then stick in the fridge. Because of the oats and chia seeds, the smoothies hold up really well in the fridge. In fact, mine held up for several days.
For the movies, I'm giving you a list of several of my favorite chick flicks. You're probably going to judge me for my choices.Please check out this trailer for Pride and Prejudice. The movie is absolutely ridiculous, but I think it's hilarious and super sweet 😍. I know Baby Mama isn't a romantic movie, but it's so funny and great for a girl party. Oooh, and I just thought of She's the Man. Add that to the list FOR SURE!
So there you have it! A delish waffle recipe, decadent smoothie, and stellar movie playlist. I'd love to hear if you end up having a Galentine's Day and what you did for it!!
