LAUGH IT OFF
4 EASY MEDITERRANEAN DISHES FOR A BUSY LIFESTYLE
Whether you’re very busy (or, understandably, very lazy!) by the end of the day, you might not want to expend energy to make dinner. It’s easy to pick up fast food, but why allow your sodium and sugar levels to be at someone else’s mercy? Take control of your energy levels with these five easy Mediterranean-inspired dishes to help you achieve in life. AVOCADO TOAST There are so many ways to make your ideal, killer avocado toast. Spread some flaxseed or olive oil on bread, toast it, then top with avocado and a dusting of coarse salt and black pepper (and maybe more of your favorite oil). Not only is it full of healthy fats, but it’ll keep you energized in the morning and light on your feet. CHICKPEA QUINOA BOWLS Pick up a can of garbanzo beans, a bag of quinoa, and any other veggies you’d like (onion, sweet potatoes, or mushrooms work great). Fry the garbanzo beans and veggies together with your favorite spices (smoked paprika and lemon pepper recommended!), and prepare quinoa according to package instructions. Put it all in a bowl and bam! You have an easy lunch or dinner. You can even add eggs for a breakfast-y flair. MEDITERRANEAN-STYLE BREAKFAST SANDWICH Pick up some store-bought pita bread and stuff it with scrambled or fried eggs, spinach, tomato, feta, olive oil, a dash of salt and pepper, plus your favorite extras like avocado, red onion, and olives. It’s so fast to make, you don’t have to think about it. Think about your first morning meeting instead. ONE SHEET PAN ASPARAGUS AND SALMON Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Break off the hard stems of your fresh asparagus, then lay them across one half of a sheet pan. Lay your salmon fillets on the other side. In a small saucepan, combine 3 tbsp of butter, 1 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tbsp of lemon juice, 1/2 tbsp of garlic, and 1 tsp of lemon zest. (For a quicker version, you can also melt the butter in the microwave and mix it with olive oil and a bit of lemon pepper and garlic seasoning!) Pour your mixture over your asparagus and salmon. Bake for 10–15 minutes and — with very little prep or effort — you have a whole salmon dinner, complete with veggies. Any of these dishes would be rather pricey at a restaurant, but you can make them cheaply at home! Why not give it a try? Happy National Mediterranean Diet Month!
THAI MINCED PORK SALAD
INGREDIENTS • 5 tbsp uncooked Thai sticky rice • 1 lb ground pork • 1/2 tbsp chili flakes • 1/8 tsp sugar • 1/2 tbsp fish sauce
• Juice of 1–2 limes, to taste • 4 small shallots, thinly sliced • 4 green onions, thinly sliced • Cilantro leaves, to taste • Mint leaves, to taste
DIRECTIONS 1. First, make toasted rice powder: In a frying pan over low heat, dry-roast the rice, stirring continuously until it turns golden brown and smells fragrant, about 15 minutes. 2. Let toasted rice cool, then grind into a coarse powder using a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor. Set aside. 3. In a medium frying pan over medium-high heat, fry pork, breaking it into small pieces as you go, until fully cooked. 4. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tbsp of toasted rice powder along with all other ingredients. Stir to combine. 5. Taste and adjust, adding more lime juice and herbs to suit your palate. Serve with rice.
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