Hi! I hope you enjoy these simple and *deliciousss* eats for your week. And while you’re here, consider tapping the ❤️ above — it helps this newsletter more than you know!
If you should know one thing about me, it’s that I love breakfast. Breakfast is my bread-and-butter (pun intended); I can do it in my sleep. Yogurt bowls and fruit? Check. Scrambled eggs and avo toast? Yep. French toast, pancakes, smoothies…breakfast is where I shine.
Dinner is great too! Dinner is an event. Maybe it’s the new ramen shop on the corner, or catching up over pizza, or slapping on an apron and whipping up a capital R *Recipe* (…or Annie’s mac n’ cheese).
But lunch…lunch, lunch, lunch. Sigh. Lunch is my neglected middle child. It’s always been a head-scratcher. Seriously, what do people eat for lunch?! Leftovers? Handfuls of popcorn? A third latte? A turkey sandwich?
First of all, please let me know, because I’m at a loss. But second of all, I’ve recently decided to conquer my lunch skepticism, and have been cheffing some midday meals that are both — as my Grandma Judy would say — delicious and nutritious. And of course, I must now share them with the world (a.k.a. you!).
I’m making today’s post about lunch because…well…why not! We all eat it every day, but does it ever get the attention it deserves?!
Each recipe has only five ingredients (plus olive oil, salt, pepper) and takes about five minutes to throw together. They have a special place in my heart ‘cause they are veg-friendly and packed with protein, fiber, and flavor, baby! Feast your eyes:
egg-drop dumpling soup 🥟
ingredients:
Trader Joe’s Miso Ginger broth
a few handfuls of spinach, bok choy, or other leafy greens
shiitake mushrooms
one egg
steamed veg dumplings from Chinatown (…or anywhere else: your local frozen aisle! your grandma’s kitchen table! the takeout spot around the corner!)
Chop up the shiitakes. Add to a pan with a little olive oil and salt. Sauté on low heat.
Heat up miso ginger broth in a pot. Once it’s simmering, add a bundle of spinach or greens. Crack the egg into a small bowl and whisk it! Add to the pot while stirring.
Pour the egg-drop broth and greens over the cooked dumplings in a bowl. Top with shiitake mushrooms. Mmmmm.
green pesto gnocchi 💚
ingredients:
one packet gnocchi
a few handfuls of spinach
white cannellini beans
garlic
lemon
In a blender, whizz up a bundle of spinach and about half a can of beans. Add a little water and olive oil til smooth. Season to taste with lemon, salt, n’ peppa.
Chop the garlic. Throw it in a pan with olive oil. Add the gnocchi and sauté until golden-brown and pillowy. Pour in the green sauce.
Optional: Top with soft cheese, a dollop of thick yogurt, and/or chopped tomatoes.
I cannot take credit for this recipe — it’s from the brilliant Nat — but I am its BIGGEST advocate. This gnocchi is perfect.
lentil-feta pita pockets 🥙
ingredients:
crumbled feta cheese
Trader Joe’s bruschetta sauce (or chopped tomatoes, olive oil + lemon)
cooked lentils
fresh pita bread
baby spring mix or other crunchy greens
Mix equal parts lentils and tomato bruschetta in a bowl. Add a sprinkle of feta and olive oil and salt to taste.
Toast pita bread, then top with lentil mix and crunchy greens. Best with a squeeze of lemon, and avocado if you wanna get fancyyy. (Brooke showed me this magical TJ’s combo in college! Clearly it made an impact.)
If you can’t tell, I’ve been reunited with Trader Joe’s and wow, did I miss that man. We’ve been having fun together this week.
Quick word to the wise: do not microwave his quick-cook steel-cut oats, despite what the package may say, because it WILL explode and watery-steaming-hot-clumps of beige will fly all over your appliances. Instead, opt for the stovetop (you know I couldn’t help but throw in my go-to breakfast!):
oats and all the goodies 🫐
quick-cook oats
fruits of choice
cinnamon
toasted nuts (crunchhh) or nut butter (creamyyy)
a splash of milk or dollop of yogurt*
I repeat: cook on the stovetop!!! Add in chia or flax seeds if you’re feeling fancy. Then top with fruit (I like blueberries and nectarines), a splash of milk, and some type of nut situation. I’ve been liking this crunchy, mapley, nutty grainless granola. 💙🥣
Sending love and good eats,
Eden
*If you can’t tell, I really love a dollop of yogurt. Also, despite what you may think, this post was NOT sponsored by Trader Joe’s!!! (But a girl can dream!)
Loving these limited ingredient recipe ideas!
Thank you Chef! You are soooooo good! Love.