simple

i made a simple and healthy meal with some leftovers. 3-bean salad over spring greens and marinated grilled chicken.

the 3-bean salad was made the day prior and is very simple.
.1 can each of chick peas, black beans, and red kidney beans (drained and slightly rinsed)
.1/3lb of thinly sliced prosciutto
.about 6 good leaves of fresh basil
.2 lemons
.1 pepper
.1/2 red onion
.1cup shredded Parmesan cheese

drain/rinse the beans and add to a bowl. finely chop onion, pepper, basil and add to beans. roll each slice of prosciutto and slice horizontally, some will stay rolled some won't. it all depends on preference, basically chop how you want to chop! drizzle olive oil around the bowl, you don't want too much oil so go light. it's easier to add more than it is to take it out. juice 2 lemons over everything, toss in cheese and mix. i like to use a bowl or big container with a lid so i can really shake it up. considering i am a klutz i always tend to make a mess when trying to toss a salad in an open bowl.

for the grilled chicken it's also pretty easy and i used some of the same ingredients as the 3-bean salad i had left over.
.1/2 cup Soy sauce
.6 good leaves of fresh basil
.3 cloves of garlic
.1 lemon
.olive and a touch of sesame oil
.2 chicken breasts

add soy sauce, less than 1/4cup of olive oil and less than 1/4cup of sesame oil to a bowl. finely chop basil and garlic and add to the liquid, then add juice of one lemon to the mixture. gently stir and add chicken. if the mixture is in a large container take a fork and top the chicken with the basil and garlic that's in the mixture. keep it in the fridge for 30minutes then toss it on a grill. unfortunately i do not have a space for a real grill, so i use a George Foreman which works but naturally i prefer a real grill. i assure you it will taste even better coming off a real grill.

finally take those leftover beans and spoon them out onto lettuce and add a bit more lemon juice and you have a great salad to go with your chicken.

as always i encourage you to try new things add to my recipes or take away and have fun with it!

enjoy,
.g

Lettuce Wraps

i found an in-expensive, easy, fast, and tasty dinner. i wasn't inspired by anything in particular, i had a few items already in the fridge and decided on spicy soy/garlic/ginger lettuce wraps.

.1lb of ground turkey (use any meat you'd like)
.fresh ginger (i cut a piece that's the same in length as my finger tip to first knuckle)
.fresh garlic (2 big cloves)
.soy sauce (1/4cup)
.rice vinegar (1/4cup)
.sesame oil/olive oil
.1tsp sugar
.1tsp corn starch
.peanuts, cashews, and/or toasted sesame seeds
.romaine lettuce

it may look like a lot of ingredients but it's not overwhelming.

1. finely chop ginger and garlic and toss into a hot sautee pan, medium-low heat with a little olive and sesame oil. let it cook for a minute or 2
2. add ground turkey to the pan with ginger and garlic, turn heat to low and let it cook turning it white/gray.
3. while turkey is cooking, mix soy, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil. put it in the microwave for 30 seconds.
4. add sugar and corn starch to the liquid and stir, making sure there are no clumps of corn starch.
5. when the turkey is cooked add the soy mixture and stir, let it sit for a few minutes and thicken (i found adding corn starch to any asian dish makes it seem a bit more authentic)
6. chop pieces of the romaine so they can hold meat, essentially a lettuce taco shell.
7. chop peanuts, cashews, or toasted sesame seeds. (leave the sesame seeds whole)

at the end, put the meat into a serving bowl, spoon into your lettuce wrap top with your preferred nuts and enjoy. (for an extra kick i add Sriracha chili sauce)

i hope you try it out and add your own flavor to it. maybe some chopped green onion or a chili pepper to simmer with the ginger and garlic.