‘Ello eaters!
So you know how I mentioned yesterday that today marked the halfway point of my internship?
Well, in addition to celebrating with a really delicious fresh juice (beetroot, carrot, and pear) and too many of our to-be-released chocolate fingers, I figured it was high time I shared this recipe for a really awesome work appropriate lunch.
If you work in an office then you definitely understand what I mean when I say “work appropriate.”
If you don’t, then let me explain.
Food is work appropriate based on how strongly it smells, whether or not it absolutely needs to be refrigerated, whether or not is absolutely needs to be heated, how many napkins you’ll likely need, and how far in advance it can be made.
The correct answer to all of those questions (in order!) is: not very, no, no, none-1, several days.
Got it? Good!
So now when I say that this recipe is very work appropriate, you know exactly what I mean.
Work Appropriate Mexican Quinoa Salad
½ c quinoa
1 ¾ c water*
1 bullion cube*
2 c kale, shredded/chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
¼-1/3 c cilantro, chopped
½ T paprika
½ T cumin
1 t chili powder
3 T tomato sauce
½ c TVP*
hot sauce, as desired
salt and pepper, to taste
*TVP is optional, but I like to add some to bulk things up and really make a satiating meal out of a salad.
Cook the quinoa with water, bullion, and hot sauce (as desired). In a small pan, steam the kale until tender.
Remove the kale from the pan, and drizzle it with oil. Add the onion and bell pepper and sauté until tender.
Once the quinoa is cooked, add the vegetables, spices, cilantro, tomato sauce, and TVP (if desired) to the pot and stir. Taste and add salt, pepper, and hot sauce, as needed.
I suggest serving this with some avocado chunks on top for a serving of (extra satiating) healthy fats.
Per the previously mentioned definition of work appropriate, this can be eaten cold, tepid, or hot.
This can sit on your desk all morning without any fear of spoiling. You don’t need more than a single napkin, if that.
While it’s packed with flavor, it doesn’t have a strong enough aroma to bother anyone.
You can make this a few days in advance. And if you happen to have any leftover on Saturday after your Friday night “casual happy hour cocktails” go too far, then I highly recommend adding some cheese, microwaving it all, and enjoying your healthy hangover food.
Oh yes, eaters! I turned work appropriate food into hangover food. It’s kind of like that lace shirt that’s totally work appropriate as long as you wear a tank top under it, but then becomes sexy-but-not-slutty when you lose the tank top.
Yup, you’re welcome.
Your turn, eaters:
What makes something work appropriate? Work inappropriate?
Do you pack your lunch?
G’night eaters!