Whole Grain Grub

sorry the pesto isn't on better display

Pesto is soooooooo easy. All you need is basil, olive oil, nuts (I use almonds because it’s all I have. Lost of people use pine nuts) and garlic.

For this recipe I used about 3/4 cups of EVOO, a handful of almonds (I chop them into three parts first to give the food processor a break), a cup or so of fresh basil and 3 (ish) cloves of garlic. If you are worried about garlic breath (which this recipe is sure to cause) use less garlic. For non-vegan pesto you would add maybe 3 tablespoons of parmesan cheese. You can also add salt and pepper to taste.

Next you chop this up in the food processor for a couple minutes and you have yourself some pesto.

And if you want to make sandwiches, buy a fresh baguette, toast it and spread the pesto on each slice. Then add whatever you want inbetween (I used avocado, tomato and basil). Great picnic food.

I know this is tacky, but that is not a picture of the hummus I made. I got it from the Internet. But I swear mine looked just like this.

You just got home from work. You’re broke and there isn’t much going on in you’re fridge. What do you do? Refer to 30 second meals! This couscous recipe is ready in under three minutes (give or take 5) and the beans require almost no effort and are fantastical!

PART ONE: SPICY BLACK BEANS

Here’s what you need:

• 1 can of black beans
• 2-3 cloves of garlic
• 1 tbs Cajun seasoning
• 1 tbs Cayenne pepper
• 1 tbs olive oil

Here’s what you do:

• saute garlic cloves (not long, you don’t want them to burn!)
• add seasoning
• cook a bit more
• add black beans
• cook a bit more

PART TWO: COUSCOUS WITH A TWIST (recipe inspired – but highly modified – from thekitchn.com)

Here’s what you need:

• 1 cup of couscous (whole grain is best but lord knows I couldn’t afford that)
• 1.5 cups water
• 1/2 thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tbs capers
• 2 tbs raisins
• 1 tbs olive oil
• salt to taste
• pepper to taste

Here’s what you do:

• heat 1.5 cups of water
• add raisins and oil
• spray pan with Pam (or some non-sticking agent) and heat onions until cooked
• once water starts to boil add couscous (8 grams of protein by the way!)
• Cover and remove from heat, once couscous absorbs the water (should take a few minutes) add onions and capers
• add salt and pepper

Chow down!

(

(spread the hummus over the wrap.)

I’ve never made hummus before and I didn’t want to spend a lot of time trying. I figured I could throw some ingredients together (that sounded about right) and hope for the best. It worked out!

What you need:

• 1 can of garbanzo beans
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 2 green onions (chopped)
• pepper (to taste)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 to 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

For the wrap

• romaine lettuce
• tomato
• thinly sliced onion
• whatever else you got (some herbs would be nice)
• whole wheat tortillas

What you do:

• Blend the stuff for hummus in a food processor until thick and creamy
• Heat tortillas
• Spread hummus over tortilla
• Add veggies (chopped)
• Enjoy!

Okay maybe it’s more like 3 minutes – either way, we have Rachel Ray beat by about 27.

Here goes…

You’ll need

1 avocado
1- 2 juicy oranges
1- 2 tomatoes
1 red onion
freshly ground black pepper
lemon (if you have it)
olive oil
vinegar

You do

Step One: Cut the avocado and tomatoes into cubes
Step Two: Slice the oranges and then onions into thin layers
Step Tree: Layer the bottom of your bowel with the oranges, then the tomatoes. Next add the avocados and onions
Step Four: Sprinkle with pepper
Step Five: Drizzle with a bit of lemon, oil and vinegar

The best part about this salad is how the juice from the oranges mixes with the oil and vinegar. Opposite flavors, but they complement each other so well. Get ready for a party in your mouth!

Rachel Ray may have 30-minutes to make a meal. And while her creations appear to be Yum-O (through the TV screen that is), sometimes half an hour is more time than you can spare (slaving in the kitchen when it’s 80 degrees outside: I think not). That’s where 30-second meals come in. Today, my well balanced 30-second meal includes an apple salad, smoked salmon over whole wheat crackers and a side of baby carrots.

Here’s what you need:

• 1 Bag of baby spinach
• 1 Apple
• Feta or Parmesan cheese (for PC, shaven is most aesthetically pleasing)
• 2 Tablespoons of poppy seed dressing (a must!)
• 4 Slices of smoked salmon (you can get a big pack at Trader Joes for $2.99)
• Low fat cream cheese (if you have it)
• 20 Capers (give or take 10)
• Fresh crushed black pepper
• Baby carrots
• (Bonus Items: red onions, mango, walnuts and tomatoes)

Here’s what you do:

• Step One: Get a plate
• Step Two: Put two hand fulls of spinach on the plate.
• Step Three: Cut up the apple into slices and mix it in with the salad (mangoes work well also).
• Step Four: Crumble some feta cheese (or Parmesan) over the salad. Add walnuts if you have them.
• Step Five: Put the dressing on the salad (be careful not to drench…not good for you and not a good look).
• Step Six: Spread cream cheese over two to four whole wheat crackers.
• Step Seven: Put a slice of smoked salmon on each cracker.
• Step Eight: Put capers, sliced tomatoes and sliced red onions on crackers.
• Step Nine: Crush some fresh pepper over the crackers.
• Step 10: Include a handful of carrots to add color, crunch and vitamin A to the plate. Remember: The more (NON-ARTIFICIAL) colors in a meal, the healthier!

Now, if you can’t do that then you don’t need to be in the kitchen. Fast, filling, and freaking delish’. That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout Willis!