Monday, November 11, 2013

Mediterranean Meals in Minutes

From Barre3

Creating healthy and great tasting meals at home doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, stocking your pantry with the right combination of ingredients makes it super simple to create quick meals that taste like they come from a gourmet restaurant, but without all the salt, excess fat, and other ingredients you don’t want. One of my favorite (and most flexible) combinations is a blend of Mediterranean flavors.  - - Julia Sarver

Mix together 1 cup chopped artichoke hearts (frozen or in water), ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 12 sliced Kalamata olives. This trio packs a nutritional punch, as artichokes are a great source of folate and dietary fiber, sun-dried tomatoes are high in Vitamin C and iron, olives provide healthy fats, and all three are antioxidant-rich.
This combo is also ultra-versatile, and you can use it in several different ways:
1. Add 1 cup of mix to 1 cup cooked quinoa for an easy lunch that’s great on the go. Mix in chopped spinach or lettuce for an extra nutritional boost.
2. Scramble two eggs with ½ cup of the Mediterranean mix + 1 cup shredded kale, collard greens or spinach for a fresh take on brunch or a light dinner.
3. Top salmon, cod, or other firm wild-caught fish with 1 cup of this mix and roast in the oven to add flavor to your dose of healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
4. Sauté a chopped chicken breast with 1 cup of the Mediterranean mix for a quick one-pot meal.
This blend stores in the refrigerator for up to a week and can be used any time your meal needs a little flavor boost. Enjoy!

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