Day 35 - Sandwich of Average Sandwichness

Ham and cheese sandwich, pretzels, raspberries.

I'll never know how I can cook a piece of tilapia for myself so perfectly, and then when I cook one when I have company over it's limp and watery.

Harumph, I say!

So, anyway, after last night's blah tilapia, I just wasn't in the mood for much cooking this morning.  So I had a normal ham and cheddar sandwich on multigrain bread.  With dijon.  Because dijon makes even the more boring of sandwiches a little tastier.

Raspberries, pretzels, you know the drill.  Nothing earth shattering today. :) Pin It Now!

Day 34 - Cold Sausage Kabobs

Sausage and cheese kabobs, sugar snap peas, grapes, wheat thins.

One of my favorite guilty pleasures is sausage and cheese on a cracker.  I made a slightly healthier version for lunch today, with kabobs of low fat colby jack cheese and turkey kielbasa.  Added some sugar snap peas, red grapes, and wheat thins.  The only thing I'd change is that I'd have longer to eat it...that good.

I was asked recently why I only do four days of lunches.  No, my work week is not four days.  In fact, I usually end up working 6 days a week.  I do four lunches as a compromise.  I have access at work to a good cafeteria and some department money for lunch (to compensate for that 6th day overtime).  The easiest thing is to just eat at work every day, but that's not at all the healthiest thing.  So, I make myself at least four lunches a week, all somewhat healthy (she says, as she eats more kielbasa and cheese). Then I let myself eat at the cafeteria once or twice a week, and I usually let myself eat whatever sounds good if I've been healthy enough the rest of the week.

Clear as mud?  It works for me, might not work for you.  Everyone's gotta take care of themselves the way that works best! Pin It Now!

Day 33 - Classic Lasagna

Lasagna, red grapes, sugar snap peas.

Mmmmmm, lasagna!  Last night was a definite Sunday-night-lasagna kind of dinner, so today was a leftover-lasagna kind of lunch!

It's sort of funny looking, you might say.  Well, that's because those are super thin slices turned on their sides.  Not only was the actual lasagna too tall to fit upright in my container, but the thinness makes it microwave easier.  So, that's why it's funny looking. :)

I have the benefit of having a great farmer's market with fresh pasta, sauce better than I can make myself, and lots of meat options.  You may not be so lucky, but the recipe below allows for a lot of exceptions.  I would make sure to do at least half and half beef/pork, if you can - beef is the more traditional flavor, but the pork sausage gives it great flavor and texture.

It looks complicated, but I promise once you get used to this recipe you'll breeze through it!


Classic Lasagna

1/3 lb ground beef
1/3 lb ground pork
1/3 lb ground spicy pork sausage
1 onion,  chopped
8 oz  fresh  mushrooms, chopped
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
32 oz marinara or spaghetti sauce (store bought or homemade)
1pkg lasagna noodles, cooked or fresh
16 oz ricotta cheese (go for the expensive stuff - makes all the difference)
16 oz fresh mozzarella

Brown meats in a large skillet; drain when browned.  Stir in onion and mushrooms, cooking on medium heat until tender.  Pour in tomatoes and tomato sauce, stirring occasionally, and heat until bubbling gently.

In a 9x13 greased casserole dish, spread about 1 cup of the sauce (this helps keep the bottom layer of pasta from sticking).  Make one layer of pasta.  Spread half of the riccotta on top.  Then add about 1/3 of the remaining sauce.  Repeat pasta-ricotta-sauce layer.  Add one more layer of pasta and pour remaining sauce over.

Slice mozzarella into thin pieces and layer over the top of the casserole.

They even sell fresh mozzarella in logs for easy slicing.  Some people think of everything!

Spray a sheet of aluminum foil with cooking spray on one side.  Place greased side down on casserole dish to cover.  Bake at 375F for 45 minutes.  Let cool about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.  Enjoy!

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Day 32 - And Ode to Soft Pretzels

Soft Pretzel, strawberries, broccoli, creamy tomato soup.

 
Are soft pretzels healthy?  Probably not.  But dang I love them!  They're so salty and chewy and good.  They're my favorite guilty late nigh snack (I know, carbs after dinner, I  know).  I tend to buy the Super Pretzel brand when it goes on sale and keep it in the freezer for carb emergencies..or unexpected company!

This morning, I just didn't feel  like putting out much effort.  It's rainy and dreary outside (I believe the Scots refer to days like this as "dreek,") and I was just too tired to put forth much food effort.  So, after prepping the crock pot for tonight's dinner, I was done cooking.  I threw in a Super Pretzel, and pulled broccoli and strawberries, and grabbed a microwavable soup from the back of the pantry.  Honestly, for as little effort as I put forth, this was a good comforting meal, with some healthy elements that gave me lots of energy.  Not bad at all! Pin It Now!

Day 31 - Potato and Green Bean Salad

Potato and Green Bean Salad, Greek green salad, red plum.

Still eating leftovers from gyro night!  Had a little of the green salad left, and included a plum from the farmers' market.  But the main dish was a delicious Potato and Green Bean Salad.  I got this recipe from some magazine quite a while ago, but I can't remember which magazine.  I've made my own edits over time, and  it's one of my favorites at a party.  It's good cold,  melt-in-your-mouth delicious when hot.  It's also fairly cheap and good looking...in other words, the perfect potluck dish.  Had it cold for lunch today and loved it! 

Potato and Green Bean Salad

1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
4 tsp lemon juice
4 tsp whole grain Dijon
1 Tbs parsley
Salt and  Pepper to taste
1 lb small red and/or Yukon gold  potatoes
1/2 lb green beans, trimmed.

Whisk together first 6 ingredients; set aside.  Simmer green beans in salted water until barely tender and bright green, 2-3 minutes.  Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl of ice water.  Drain and pat dry.  Add potatoes to the same pot and simmer until tender, 10-20 minutes.  Drain potatoes and halve them.  Add in green beans and gently toss with olive oil mixture.  Serve hot or cold. Pin It Now!

Day 30 - Greek Salad Dressing.

Greek Salad, hummus, pretzels.

Remember those gyros I made the other day?  I decided to make some for company last night, along with a hot potato salad and this delicious Greek green salad.  Romaine, spinach, tomatoes, bell peppers, cucumbers, olives, and feta cheese with a great Greek Salad Dressing.  Threw in some pretzels and homemade hummus and it was an extremely quick lunch to put together.

Salad dressings are so easy to whisk up, and way cheaper than store bought.  I usually keep olive oil, walnut oil, sesame oil, and a variety of vinegars on hand...that way, I can make up a number of dressings at the last minute!  Some recipes, though, are standards in my house.

Greek Salad Dressing

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup  red wine vinegar
2 T lemon juice
1 T  fresh oregano, chopped
1 t dried dill
1 t  onion salt
1 t minced garlic
dash of black pepper

Whisk all ingredients together.  This can sit on the counter for a couple of hours while you're cooking, which allows the flavors to mingle. You can also serve it immediately, if you're in a hurry.  Just make sure it's freshly whisked when you pour it on your salad!



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Day 29 - More Trader Joe's Goodness

Trader Joe's Tarte d'Alsace, cucumbers, orange slices.

Woohoo, in the office for Labor Day!  Anyone else working today?  Anyone?  Bueller?  Bueller?

At least I get an extra day off for working today. :)

Anyway, lunch was leftovers from last night - probably my all time favorite product from Trader Joe's.  It's called a Tarte d'Alsace, and it's the most delicious frozen thing I've ever had.  It's raw pastry with what I *think* is bechemel sauce, Gruyere, ham, and caramelized onions.  You bake it for 10 measly minutes and it's awesome.  It's crispy and sweet and salty and just a little chewy.

I didn't quite make a full grocery trip this weekend, so I just pulled this out of the freezer and enjoyed the heck out of it with a mixed green salad.  Had it with some cucumbers and oranges for lunch today, and it was super easy and delightful.

For those of you who don't have a Trader Joe's in town, I'm so sorry.  It's worth a trip when you're in a larger city.  For  me, though, I enjoy it every time I'm too lazy to cook something on my own. :)  I should cook something good tonight...

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