Here's a very simple recipe that fulfills your buffalo cravings. You can substitute the TJ's nuggets with any kind of "chicken" you prefer...I just really like this product.

Ingredients:
Tortilla wraps (any flour tortilla works)
1 box of Trader Joe's Breaded Chickenless Nuggets
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped lettuce
1-2 cups of bleu cheese chunks
1/4 cup melted butter
1 cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce

What to do:
Start by cooking the nuggets per the instructions on the box.

While you're waiting, melt the butter in a decent size bowl in the microwave. Once the butter is melted, add the cup of Frank's Red Hot Sauce and stir until it's mixed.

Add the cooked nuggets and coat them evenly (you may want to allow the nuggets to cool off a bit beforehand). Place the tomatoes and lettuce on the tortilla wrap and add the nuggets. Top with bleu cheese chunks and enjoy!



chickpea salad

6:47 PM Sunday, June 13, 2010

Chickpeas are a great source of protein and fiber. This recipe is simple to make and can be a weekly staple in your diet. Bring it to work or have it as a snack!

Ingredients:
2 14 oz. cans of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
1 tsp. garlic, chopped
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 cup tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 tsp. parsley, chopped
Pinch of salt and cracked pepper to taste

What to do:
Mixed all ingredients in a large bowl, transfer to separate container. Refrigerate overnight for best results. Enjoy!

killer cheeseburgers!

5:50 PM Thursday, June 10, 2010

Goat cheese is an acquired taste for many cheese heads. It's creamy, pungent, and on the expensive side for cheese. But in comparison to products made from cow's milk, it is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol. It took me a few years growing up to acquire a taste for it but now I'll eat it whenever I have the chance. Below is a recipe for a fairly simple veggie and goat cheese pizza (you can also add/subtract whatever vegetables you want). The ingredients are a bit basic but don't let that dissuade you from trying it...it packs an enormous amount of flavor and it very tasty.

Ingredients:
1lb pizza dough(your local supermarket probably has them available near the bakery)
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 tbsp. of olive oil
1 cup portobello mushrooms, chopped
1 cup of tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup sweet corn
2 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
2 tbsp. of chopped fresh basil

What to do:
Preheat oven to 425°.

Start by lightly coating a perforated pizza pan or use a pizza stone if possible. Place dough on pan and coat it with a layer of olive oil and garlic then bake in the oven for about 5 minutes.

While waiting for the dough to bake, sautee the mushrooms and corn with a small amount of olive oil and garlic over medium heat in a any pan.

Remove the pizza dough from oven, top with sauteed veggies and then add the tomatoes and goat cheese. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt and pepper for taste.

Place back in oven for 5-7 minutes, until the crust is crispy and/or the goat cheese is slightly browned. Remove it from the oven and sprinkle some basil over the entire pizza. Cut into 6-8 pieces and serve!

Need an alternative to the boring, low-sodium,"healthy" soups you destroy on your always too short lunch break? The whole line of Amy's soups have enough variety to keep you fed for over two weeks. They are all vegan, nutritional, and gluten free. I was able to try the Organic Fire Roasted Southwestern Vegetable Soup (thanks Liz!) and now have a new favorite.

This soup combines spicy flavors with a great assortment of vegetables. The ingredients are pretty straightforward and the description basically says it all:

"Organic fire roasted corn, onions and green peppers are combined with fresh vegetables and black beans, and mildly seasoned with green chiles and Southwestern spices."

Overall, the soup is almost perfect in taste (I am a big fan of most Amy's soups but I do feel the need to add some of my own seasonings every now and then). I'm actually someone who tends to add a pinch of salt to everything I eat. It's a bad habit I think I picked up from my Dad. This soup stands out however as one that needs no additional seasoning.

This soup has 4g of protein and to make a full meal I should have paired it with a vegetable quesedilla or enchilada. Either way, the soup alone made for a filling lunch.

Amy's soups have come a long way over the years and are now available at almost all mainstream supermarkets. You can find a full product list ranging from entrees to soups on Amy's website.