Just One of Those Days

Did you ever have one of those days where nothing sounds good? You look in your cabinet and you are quite sure there's just nothing good to eat. Maybe, you don't even feel that hungry. Whatever the case may be, hopefully by now you are amassing quite a box of recipes to flip through on those days. I do that a lot. I just flip and flip until something catches my eye. 

Today was one of those days - so here's a filling munchie for those nights where you don't want a full meal or a great appetizer for your next dinner party.

Hot Spinach Spread with Pita Chips

Ingredients:
2 c. shredded monterey jack cheese  10 oz. chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry
8 oz. cream cheese, cubed                           2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3/4 c. chopped onion                                     1/3 c. 1/2 & 1/2 
1 tbsp. finely chopped & seeded jalapeno     6 pita breads (6 inches)
1/2 c. butter, melted                                       2 tsp. lemon pepper seasoning
2 tsp. ground cumin                                       1/4 tsp. garlic salt

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first 7 ingredients.
2. Transfer to a greased 1 1/2 qt. baking dish.
3. Bake, uncovered, at 375 for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly.
4. Meanwhile, cut each pita bread into 8 wedges.
5. Place in 2 15 in. x 10 in. x 1 in. baking pans.
6. Combine the butter, lemon pepper, cumin and garlic salt.
7. Brush over pita wedges.
8. Bake for 7-9 minutes or until crisp.
9. Serve with spinach spread.

You can keep this fairly healthy by using lowfat cheeses and a butter substitute.  Making your own pita bread is healthy as well. I used to not even like spinach but somewhere along the line I began to like spinach artichoke dip and this seemed like a fun alternative.

As always, have fun!

Healthy Dinner Options

The best part of holiday cooking is the variety you can bring to the table. It's going to be difficult for even those with quirky eating habits to walk away empty handed. The quinoa in the salad is full of protein for those in the crowd who may not like meat. Between the dried cranberries and the homemade dressing, you should have a nice sweetness to the salad as well.

Quinoa Wilted Spinach Salad

Ingredients:
2 c. water              1 c. quinoa, rinsed          6 oz fresh spinach          1/2 c. dried cranberries
3 tbsp. olive oil      2 tbsp. orange juice       1 tbsp. red wine vinegar  1 tbsp. maple syrup
1/2 tsp. minced garlic        1/2 tsp. salt        1/8 tsp. pepper                1 green onion, chopped
1/2 c. chopped pecans

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil.  
2. Add quinoa.
3. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until water is absorbed.
4. Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.
5. In a large bowl, combine quinoa, spinach and cranberries.
6. For dressing, whisk oil, orange juice, vinegar, maple syrup, garlic, salt and pepper.
7. Stir in onion.
8. Pour over quinoa mixture and toss to coat.
9. Sprinkle with pecans.

Now that we've covered healthy, it's time to move on to one of my favorites - the bread/rolls option for this meal. Come back tomorrow and, as always, have fun!