Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Simple, creative meals

Eating does not have to involve elaborate preparations. Sometimes the simplest things are the tastiest. It takes just a little creativity to discover new foods that may become part of your recipe collection for a long, long time. Get out of your recipe and eating rut and go crazy!

Grilled cheese, for example, may be pretty boring. But, if you look for new bread options--gluten free or not, different cheeses and a few surprise ingredients, you have a delicious, easy, new food. Try raisin bread with gjetost cheese. Try a whole grain english muffin (or a gf option) with fresh mozzarella and tomato. How about pita or Chebe (GF) sandwich buns with horseradish cheddar and carmelized onions? Go crazy. Add pickles, artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, ham, apple or pear slices, pistachios, peanut butter, cream cheese, chocolate, dried cherries.....the point is to play with food. Don't take it so seriously.

Peanut butter sandwiches are also good but get really boring after a while. Do you feel a little guilty eating PB sandwiches for dinner? Not putting any effort into it? Again, try something new. Peanut butter on a different type of bread (GF or regular whole grain if possible) with low fat cream cheese and raisins is delicious. Try other types of nut butters and add some surprising ingredients. Adding fruits or vegetable to the sandwich makes it a balanced and healthy meal. Serve it with any fruit or vegetable you have on hand--cooked or raw--and you have a tasty meal.

And don't forget presentation. If you have the time and inclination, serve that grilled cheese on your good china with your drink in a crystal glass. Light some candles and turn down the lights. Even if you are eating alone! Eat picnic style, even in the winter. Roast chicken saugsage on sticks in the fireplace. Have fun.

2 comments:

  1. My favorite easy meal is what I call French Salad. It's mixed greens (spring mix), dried cherries, chevre (mediteranean flavored!), fresh sliced pears, and a raspberry vinagrette. So good!

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  2. Sounds delicious. I'll bet you didn't have a recipe for that one! I think I may have it tonight. Thanks.

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