What's for Lunch?

I am back! Well, kinda. We are back in town, but this usually "with-it" organized momma is definitely not feeling like I have it "all together" these days! I have spent about 10 of the last 45 days home and my mind is certainly still on vacation! And to top it off, I will be leaving to go out of town again in 2 days and on top of that...I couldn't find my camera for 2 weeks! AAHHH!!!! Unfortunately, you missed a fantastic German Chocolate Cake that I made for my big brother's birthday, reduced sugar and fat blueberry muffins, apple coffee cake, garden fresh spaghetti sauce and a revised version of the Italian Creme Cake for my mommas birthday! All of which....no pictures! UGH! But I did find the camera the very last day of my most recent vacation, at least I have it now!

Being home for just a few short days, my schedule filled up pretty fast! One thing on the list was a playdate with a sweet friend, which turned into a lunch playdate! All the better! I am happy with a bowl of fresh spinach and veggies for lunch, but I'm kind of getting a reputation with this blog so I knew a simple salad wouldn't cut it. So, I put the salad in a cheddar jalepeno wrap, added hummus instead of mayonnaise and finished up with some ham and turkey. It was a nice little gourmet wrap! Fresh and very flavorful!

Ham and Turkey Wrap

Ingredients
Cheddar Jalepeno Tortillas (or your favorite flavor)
Ham
Turkey
Hummus (I use Trader Joes Original and Trader Joes Roasted Red Pepper)
Cucumber, sliced lengthwise
Fresh baby spinach
Tomatoes, Sliced
Cheddar Cheese, sliced

Heat the tortilla on a warm burner or in the microwave just for a short 15 - 20 seconds to make it easier to work with. Smear the tortilla with hummus, add the fillings, fold one end up and then roll that baby closed. That's it ya'll!

You don't really need to serve it with anything else...you have your meat and salad right there! Enjoy!

And a couple of random other pictures for those of you who like to come for the kids a little more so than the food!

Jumping up and down with excitement!

Doing some yard work - planting grass that was once Solomon's Hair!

Warmly,
Mary

Hungry Man Italian Sub with Olive Tepanade

I love a good sandwich. Ok, I will even go for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich most of the time. Or a peanut butter pickle sandwich (thanks to the Green Girls), yummy! Hey don't knock it until you've tried it. *focus* Anyway, so I am happy to make a sandwich and call it a meal. But the men in my life scoff when I mention making a sandwich, especially if I try to pass it off as dinner. I guess I can't blame 'em. I mean Superman runs miles and miles everyday and has a vigorous weight training schedule...I guess that he has a reason to be hungry man. That is why I had to make the Hungry Man Italian Sub.

This very substantial flavorful sandwich will satisfy the hungriest of appetites! It's full of meats and cheeses, oh ya and veggies. If you haven't tried a Tepanade on a sammy, you will be hooked after this one! A tepanade is a spread generally used on bread. More commonly used in France and the Mediterranean. It is sooo good!

Warning...feeding hungry men this sandwich will cause them to kiss the ground that you walk on! Watch your step!

layer it on...

don't be shy

ready for the grill

oohh la la...I mean *grunt, grunt, grunt* (Tim Taylor style)

Hungry Man Italian Sub


Ingredients
Olive Tepanade
6oz can black olives
7oz jar green olives
4oz capers
1 Tbl Hot Sauce (optional, but man can totally handle it!)
1 tsp dried Oregano
1/3 cup olive oil

Drain olives and capers. Dump all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until it is almost a paste consistency, but still small chunks.

Subs
6 large sub rolls
1 lb deli ham, sliced
1 lb hard salami, sliced
1/2 lb sliced mozzarella
1/2 lb sliced provolone
Red onion slices
Romain lettuce leaves
Sliced tomato

Slice the sub rolls in half length-wise and smear 1/6 of the olive Tempanade on each of the bottom half of the rolls. Ok, now that you've got that out of the way, start layering the meat on. Add 1/6 of the ham, salami, mozzarella and provolone to each of the rolls. Top with a few slices of red onion, tomato and romain lettuce. Add the top of the roll, cut in half and serve to a group of hungry men! We put ours in the panini grill! Even yummier with warm meat and melted cheese!

I dare you to try to eat a whole one. I have to cut one in thirds for myself! Serve, eat and enjoy!

Warmly,
Mary

Grilled Avocado and Cheese Sandwich

Are you ready for a really healthy and super easy meal? I am always looking for something that is easy to fix for the whole family but totally a complete meal that is very nutrition packed and makes you feel good about what you just ate, oh and very tasty!

My kids love avocado and ask for guacamole for lunch at least once a week! I hope your family likes it too!

Grilled Avocado and Cheese Sandwich

Ingredeints 

Grilled Avocado and Cheese Sandwich

Sliced Whole Grain bread

Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese, sliced

Avocado, sliced thinly

I use a panini grill and I don’t even need to use butter or oil or spray to get the break toasty, which is super healthful. If you use a skillet, instead of butter, use cooking spray in a hot skillet. Take a slice of bread, layer with a slice of cheese, avocado, and another slice of cheese. Top with another slice of bread and grill, heat or toast until the cheese is all melted and yummy! Cut in half and enjoy!

I devour half a sandwich and serve with 1 cup of arugula, ½ a cucumber and a handful of grape tomatoes. 

 

 

 Oh Yummy, I need to go...I'm going to make another one!

Warmly, 

Mary