Recipe | 4 Lunches
As mentioned yesterday I am really trying to make more of an effort to eat delicious, filling & healthy meals - lunch being my weak point because isn't it just so easy to have a cheese toastie or gobble up a store bought soggy sandwich? Following a few simple steps, on Sunday I prepared a batch of black rice, green lentil falafels, hummus (I had to make another batch today though but it takes no time...!) & roasted pumpkin which will last me for the week.
Then I play around with it, adding in fresh veggies that take 5 minutes to prepare, I poach/scramble an egg, I defrost a flatbread & turn it into a healthy pizza, I might add a bit of tuna with my rice or shaved parmesan here & there, I also play around with spices because no one wants to eat bland food, flavours are everything!
I've really enjoyed this whole process this week & it makes me wonder how did I do it before? I always feel full after a meal, it makes me feel good not guilty & I think my body is truly thankful.. I love playing around with all the different possibilities, now when I go food shopping I spend most of my time in the fresh produce aisle dreaming up all the different ways I could cook those good looking carrots. If you're bored of your office lunch, try this for a week, it seriously takes no time I promise!
1 . My Hummus Pizza with cinnamon roasted pumpkin, rocket salad & pumpkin seeds.
2 . Black rice seasoned with spices, cinnamon roasted pumpkin, hummus & a poached egg (not pictured)
3. Grated carrots, the famous cinnamon roasted pumpkin, green lentil falafels, rocket, shaved parmesan, poached egg, tahini lemon dressing.
4 . Gluten Free bread, a little mayonnaise, mashed avocado with lemon & paprika (that's a light lunch, I'd probably have a smoothie with it & maybe an egg or two or a salad!)
Cinnamon Roasted Pumpkin //
I simply peel & cut half a medium pumpkin in small chunks, I add them to a tray, drizzle with coconut oil (or olive oil, the coconut gives it a nuttier flavour), sprinkle a good dose of cinnamon, season with salt & pepper, I mix it all up with my hands in the tray & pop it in a hot oven for about 20 minutes. It's so easy & will make your house smell like Autumn. I also do the same with carrots & cumin, sweet potatoes & nutmeg...
Lemon Tahini Salad Dressing //
Since I've been obsessed with hummus, I always have tahini hanging around in my kitchen so I've tried to find way to use it.. & discovered it makes the most delicious creamy dressing! I simply mix up 2 tsp of tahini, one tsp of lemon juice, 2 tsp of olive oil, a sprinkle of cumin/turmeric/paprika, mixed herbs, salt & pepper. Test it as you go & add a bit of this & a bit of that until it tastes like you want it to. That's my number one rule in cooking - not baking.. baking is more of a science, the rest you can pretty much improvise ;) !
Green Lentil Falafels //
Recipe coming later this week! (sorry for being a tease)
Black Rice //
Aka my new thing (along with hummus but that's old news now) It's better than brown rice & of course far, far better than white rice which has almost no nutritional value. I've read that black rice is rich in Vitamin E which boosts your immune system & has more antioxidants than a serving of blueberries - now you're talking!! I simply steam it following the instructions on the pack & I season it well, it has got so much flavour it doesn't need much else!
Hummus //
