If you're like me and you pack your lunch, you might be looking for healthy options to spice up your lunch every now and then. Well, I've got a few recipes for you to try out! :)
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RECIPE ONE - MIXED BERRY AND YOGURT PARFAIT
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Total Time:
5 min
Prep:
5 min
Ingredients:
1/3 cup lowfat plain yogurt
1/3 cup fresh or frozen mixed berries
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon Easy Homemade Granola, recipe below
Easy Homemade Granola:
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon extra-virgin raw coconut oil
1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
1/4 cup sliced raw almonds
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
Kosher salt
Nonstick cooking spray
Directions
Fill a small single-serving (6 ounce) container with a third of the yogurt. Top with a third of the berries. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of maple syrup over the berries. Repeat two more times with the rest of the yogurt, berries and maple syrup. Pack the granola separately so that it can be mixed into the parfait when ready to eat. Pack the parfait with an ice pack or frozen juice box so that it stays cold until lunchtime.
Easy Homemade Granola:
Heat an oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat the maple syrup with the coconut oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat, just to melt the oil. While still warm, toss the maple syrup mixture together with the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Spray a baking sheet with the nonstick cooking spray. Spread the granola on the sheet tray in a thin layer. Bake for a total of 20 minutes, tossing the granola halfway through. Let cool to room temperature and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month. Yield: 1 cup.
RECIPE TWO - CREAMY HUMMUS AND SMOKED TURKEY SANDWICH
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Total Time:
15 min
Prep:
15 min
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Creamy Veggie Hummus, recipe follows
1 mini whole wheat bagel, toasted
3 baby spinach leaves
1 slice tomato
3/4 ounce smoked turkey (about 1 thin slice folded into quarters)
3 thin slices cucumber
Creamy Veggie Hummus:
4 ounces Neufchatel, room temperature
1/4 cup prepared hummus
4 sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 small carrot, roughly chopped
1 small clove garlic
1 scallion, roughly chopped
Directions:
Spread the Creamy Veggie Hummus on the bottom half of the bagel, then top with the spinach leaves, tomato, turkey, cucumbers and the other half of the bagel. Wrap the sandwich in a paper towel and then aluminum foil.
Creamy Veggie Hummus:
Pulse Neufchatel, hummus, tomatoes, carrots, garlic and scallion in a food processor until fully mixed, but somewhat chunky. Transfer to a container. This spread will keep well in the refrigerator for about a week. Yield: 3/4 cup.
RECIPE THREE - WAGON WHEEL PASTA SALAD
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Total Time:
20 min
Prep:
10 min
Cook:
10 min
Ingredients:
6 ounces wagon wheel pasta
1 heaping cup very small broccoli florets
1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 ounces reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
2 ounces thick-sliced ham, cut into small cubes
1 scant cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tablespoon chopped parsley (optional)
2 scallions, sliced (optional)
Directions:
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions. About 30 seconds before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets and corn kernels. Cook for 30 seconds and then drain into a colander. Run cold water over the pasta to stop the cooking. Keep the pasta draining in the colander while you make the dressing.
Whisk together the garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few grinds of black pepper.
Add the well-drained pasta, broccoli, and corn to the bowl, along with the ham, cheese, tomatoes, parsley and scallions, if using. Toss together. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
RECIPE FOUR - BROWN RICE AND BEAN BURRITO
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Total Time:
15 min
Prep:
10 min
Cook:
5 min
Ingredients:
1/4 cup cooked brown rice
1 tablespoon shredded Cheddar
1/4 avocado
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 whole wheat 8-inch tortilla
2 tablespoons no-salt-added canned black beans
2 tablespoons thinly sliced or shredded carrots
1 tablespoon mild jarred salsa
Directions:
If the cooked rice is cold, reheat it in the microwave. When hot, mix in the Cheddar until the cheese melts. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Mash the avocado and lime juice together in a small bowl with a fork until it becomes a spreadable consistency.
Lay the tortilla out on a cutting board. Spread the mashed avocado on the tortilla, leaving a 1-inch outer border without any avocado. In the bottom third of the tortilla, lay out in a log shape the rice, beans, carrots and salsa. Roll over once tightly, then tuck in the sides and continue rolling. The avocado should help the burrito stay together. Cut in half. Wrap in a paper towel, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Serve at room temperature.
RECIPE FIVE - ASIAN CHICKEN AND QUINOA SALAD
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Total Time:
35 min
Prep:
15 min
Cook:
20 min
Ingredients:
1/2 cup quinoa
4 teaspoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon grated ginger
3 scallions, whites and greens sliced
1 clove garlic, grated
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
2 1/2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 1/2 cups shredded white meat rotisserie chicken, skin and bones removed (about 5 ounces)
1 1/2 cups finely shredded cabbage (such as napa, red, green or a combination)
1 cup thinly sliced (size of a matchstick) carrots (about 2 carrots)
1 cup sugar snap peas, sliced on the bias
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
Directions:
Cook the quinoa according to package directions, set aside to cool.
Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the ginger, scallions and garlic. Immediately turn off the heat and stir. Let cool slightly for a few minutes, then whisk in the lemon juice, soy sauce and sesame oil.
Put the cooked quinoa, chicken, cabbage, carrots and peas in a mixing bowl. Add the dressing and toss. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Keep refrigerated in an air-tight container for up to 3 days.
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Credit to Food Network Kitchen for these recipes!