An Easy Lunch

Some friends have recently asked me about ideas for lunch recipes that are light and easy to make.  These are a few of my favorites that can be made with common ingredients and items that you can pick up next time you're at the store and keep in the pantry until you're ready to use them...

Cheese & Apple Wrap

(this one might sound odd, but I swear it's a winner!)

large tortilla wraps

sliced cheddar or gouda cheese

thinly sliced apple (I like Granny Smith)

optional: peanut butter OR ham & mustard



If using mustard or peanut butter, spread on the tortilla, then add your apple, cheese and ham if desired.  Roll up and enjoy - this is a good one to make in the morning and wrap up to take to work for lunch!

Pasta with Clam Sauce

1 can white or red clam sauce (such as Progresso or Pastene)

3 tbsp olive oil

2-3 cloves garlic

1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley

white wine

linguine or angel hair (you can use any long pasta, but I recommend one of these if you have it)

Put a pot of water on to boil for your pasta.  Heat oil in a medium or large pan over medium-high heat.  If you want a strong garlic flavor, mince the garlic cloves; for a more mild garlic flavor, slice or crush cloves.  Add garlic and parsley to hot oil and saute for 2-3 minutes (if you don't have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley or Italian seasoning, but only use a couple tablespoons as dried herbs are stronger than fresh ones).  Add clams and sauce from the can, 1/4 - 1/2 cup white wine depending on your preference (I like to add more), and any other spices that you would like.  Reduce heat and simmer until wine has reduced, at least 10 minutes.  While sauce is simmering, cook pasta according to package directions.  When sauce is reduced, serve over cooked pasta.  It's light, fast and easy!

The Versatile BLT

(all of these ingredients are NOT required - pick and choose what you like or what you have on hand)

sliced bread

cooked bacon

fresh lettuce or baby spinach

 fresh sliced tomato or sun-dried tomatoes

sliced avocado

fried egg

mayonaise

Italian seasoning

salt & pepper

This one is not so much a recipe, but more of a rough idea for a delicious and super easy lunch.  As long as you have at least a couple of the ingredients, you can do it!

Toast your bread, then add mayo to one or both slices.  If using fresh sliced tomato, season slices with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning before adding slices to the sandwich.  Assemble as desired, cut in half and dig in!