Red Chili Omelet, chopsticks, spoon or spork?

Really good meals must be enjoyed & eaten with the right tools even if happens to be your fingers.  I was wondering how best to eat this lunchtime omelet roll out of my bento box.  Kai Yad Sai is a traditional Thai recipe however with the liberal use of heat enjoyed in that cuisine I believe that my Tex-Mex changes will be more harmonious than offensive.  Eating the rolls with the sauce makes it a little more difficult because truth be told I could almost eat that sauce with a spoon!! Manners aside though it was easily eaten with either chopsticks or my new "spork".  I found a fold up "Beetle Spork" on my travels & thought it was the perfect stow-able eating utensil.  It even comes in a small storage case it folds into. Including a link here for the Foldable Beetle Spork. Enjoy the Chili Omelet rolls & Buen Provecho.

Beetle Spoon Fork Utensil

A dark color napkin is a good idea with the stain-worthy chili sauce

Red Chili Omelet Rolls Kai Yad Sai~Tex Mex Style

2 eggs, beaten
1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
2 tbsp red chili peppers diced & seeded
2 tbsp cilantro, roughly chopped
2 tbsp thinly sliced cucumber
3 tbsp cotija cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup red chili sauce *see recipe below

Heat half of the oil in a wok high heat and stir-fry onion, red bell pepper for 1- 2 minutes or until cooked. Add the small handful of whole spinach leaves & turn off skillet when wilted & then set aside.
Heat a small skillet or omelet pan 9 to 12 in. diameter and add a drop of the remaining oil. Pour in enough egg to thinly cover the bottom of the skillet. Brown the omelet lightly on both sides, being careful to turn the omelet over gently halfway through cooking.
To stuff the omelet, spread thin mixture of Red Chili Sauce over surface of Omelet. Place 1 to 2 spoonfuls of the spinach, pepper mixture in the center, add cilantro, cucumber, cotija cheese then either roll like a tortilla or fold two opposite sides toward the center and then fold in the remaining sides so that the omelet forms a square. Place on a serving plate & serve either warm or room temperature. Garnish with extra sauce & cilantro.**This is also good with ground chicken or pork also.  In the interest of keeping a meal I can eat either at room temperature or cool I did not add the meat since my days are often high speed & on the run. This recipe can also have much more variety using any vegetables, try carrots, potato, baby corn or tomatoes.

*Red Chili Sauce
3 dried Guajillo Chilis
Water
1 large clove garlic
1 small tomato, diced
2 black peppercorns, crushed
1/2 teaspoon of salt, more to taste
1 tsp sugar
Olive oil

Place dried chilies to a small saucepan and add enough water so that they are just covered. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and let sit for 10 minutes, until the chilies have softened and plumped up. (OR pour place the chilies in a small saucepan and pour boiling water over them to cover. Let sit for 15 minutes, until softened.)

4 Reserving the soaking water, remove the chilies from the pan and place in a blender. Add the tomato, garlic, salt, ground pepper and 1 1/2 cups of the soaking liquid (taste the soaking water first, if it seems bitter, use water instead). Purée for 2 minutes, until the sauce is completely smooth. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings. If you want more heat, add in a few of the seeds or veins and purée some more. Add more salt or sugar if needed. I freeze my sauce at this point for future use for enchiladas or stews but it will keep in the refrigerator several days.

Recipe can be doubled & then some.  Freeze leftovers.

Casual Friday, Blue Jeans & an Easy Lunchbox

A casual work day calls for an easy, portable lunch.

My average travel day makes lunch planning a must.

The last few months the one thing I can count on for any given Friday is unpredictability.  My job takes me an average of 75 mile radius around my home town.  With this in mind if I pack an easy go to lunch any day of the week I'd better do it on a Friday.  Austin Texas is like many cities across the country with the less casual dress in the workplace environment. On Friday though it is a given that it is more casual than Monday through Thursday with blue jeans & flip-flops being de rigueur. The same can go for my lunches the last day of the work week. Lunchtime doesn't have to be a hassle. I generally throw things together on Thursday evening easing myself into the weekend a little early.  This Friday I will be having 2 small crimped sandwiches & a few garden veggies,.  I have had a few cucumbers & volunteer tomatoes which have been producing a little better than the seeded variety of veggies which seem to be burning up in the mid-summer heat wave.  As a mid morning snack I've packed a small amount of dried fruit & nuts.  My lunch also includes Coconut water which I found frozen at a local Asian grocery store.  The frozen coconut water also helps keep my lunch cool & fresh till I stop for lunch later in the day.  The coco water drinks have been very popular since last summer.  The beverage as a sports drink is popular too since it is super hydrating,  full of potassium & minerals.  Water of course is the beverage of choice in the heat but if you haven't tried coco water I can suggest this thirst quenching drink this Summer. Enjoy your own casual Friday & be inspired by simply packing a lunch today. **Lunch box find: You may notice the small salt & pepper (orange top) container in my bento photo. It was a .79 cent purchase at a local Asian store.

Nine to Five Rice Salad

Rice has fed more people over a longer period of time than any other crop. As far back as 2500 B.C. rice has been documented in the history books as a source of food and for tradition as well. Beginning in China and the surrounding areas, its cultivation spread throughout Sri Lanka, and India. It was then passed onto Greece and areas of the Mediterranean. Rice spread throughout Southern Europe and to some of North Africa. From Europe rice was brought to the New World.*

It is this most flexible of grains that I turned to for lunch time inspiration.  I made Spanish rice earlier in the week & decided to make a rice salad from the leftovers. With a tiny bit of imagination you can spin some leftover rice from dinner into a rice salad for lunch the next day. With a few diced veggies, dressing, a bean of some type for extra protein a rice salad can be a wholesome & filling meal.  I love pomegranate seeds & tossed a few of those in my lunch box, some tiny cucumber slices along with a few crackers,  cheese & applesauce.  I am so hoping to eat lunch outside while the weather is still nice here.  

Nine to Five Rice Salad
1 Jalapeno pepper, diced, seeded & finely diced
2 Tomatoes, chopped
1 can Garbanzo beans, drained
1/4 cup Spanish Olives
3 Tbsp fresh Basil, chopped
1 Tbsp Shallot, chopped
2 Cups left over Rice (White, Brown, Spanish rice, or White & wild rice blend)
6 Tbsp Balsamic Vinaigrette (3 Tbsp Olive Oil, 3 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar, tsp sugar,
salt & pepper to taste)
Toss all ingredients, chill several hours, garnish with extra basil. At most the prep time takes about 15 minutes for this easy salad.
 

Spanish Rice
1 1/2 cups rice
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 cup plain tomato sauce
3 cloves finely chopped garlic
1 tsp cumino powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 of a medium onion
2 tablespoons oil
4 heaping tablespoons of finely chopped parsley (& or)1/4 cup corn,  (optional)

In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add in the fresh garlic and onion. Saute for 1-2 minutes until softened. Add in dry rice. Stir for about 5 minutes until rice becomes a golden brown color.Add in broth and tomato sauce (Slowly into rice, not directly onto hot pan!) Add in the cumin, chili powder & parsley if you're using it. Stir it up and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 20 minutes and fluff with a fork. This is the rice I used for the above salad.

*More history of Rice here.

Just another Monday morning....

On a post Halloween Monday I was a wee bit fuzzy when I made my cup of coffee. After hearing on Martha Stewart Radio;  "this is the start of the Holiday eating season".  I knew there had to be a healthy choice today for lunch.  I am working this afternoon & doing the mid morning scramble which was off to a roaring great start.  I was almost nose to nose with a snake this morning.  I had my cup of coffee in hand  while wondering what the cat was staring at on our patio...I stepped outside to investigate and had to shoo a very bold squirrel off the patio furniture. I say this because our Aussie dog was already out in the yard doing her morning patrol. While checking out the squirrel activity,  I noticed something out of the corner of my eye.  Generally I am the one who seems to spot the critters in my "where the wild things are" backyard.  I spotted a King Snake clinging to the limestone around the french doors.  I don't mind telling you I was astounded & jumped back into the house (in 2 giant leaps) all the while not spilling coffee! Thankfully, the snake did remove himself from the wall!  (ack!!!) After calming down I packed a healthy Bento lunchbox  for my busy day ahead.  No recipes forthcoming on this post but I am watching where I am stepping today.

*If you wondered about my cute Bento: it is a Natural Leaf Bento lunch bag.  I found this in both pink & green at the New Oriental Market here in Austin at 6929 Airport Blvd.  I bought the pink for my daughter & kept the green for me.  There is enough space inside the bag for a few extras once the tins are pack inside.  Natural Leaf makes several different types of Bentos.  I love the sturdy construction & portability of this one. 

**Lunch box addition: I recently received a Food Buzz Tastemaker item from Soy Joy.  I really enjoy Soy Joy bars when I am in a time crunch & need a mid day snack especially at 130 calories.  The nice chewy texture reminds me of a fruity cookie, especially the strawberry & blueberry flavors.



What I looked like this morning just after 7am when I almost ran into a snake while stepping outside....(frightening possibility!!!) Okay, so I did have a robe & not that fancy hat but you get the idea! I was a little startled.

Feliz de Dia de los Muertos!  Have a wonderful Monday.

Fall Flavors, J'aime Le Fromage

Crisp Apple, smooth Brie & Smoked Turkey~means J'aime Le Fromage (translation: I love cheese!) I've be singing praises of Brie for years....

My youngest daughter was a Brie fanatic from an early age. Actually both my daughters seem to have a great appreciation for a good cheese.  They did however get the adoration of fine fromage from me...this love of all things cheese does make it into the lunch hour frequently.

Toasted Cheese Sandwich has always been a stand alone favorite in our house but taking it to work or school is a different story.  I decided a little lunch time improvisation as in order for a "toasted" Brie, Apple & Turkey sandwich.
 I toasted the bread slices with a scant amount of butter on one side of each piece of bread, let the toasted bread cool completely before assembling the sandwich. I thinly sliced the Brie cheese, sliced the Apple super thin & then layered in a few Spinach leaves after I added thinly sliced Smoked Turkey Breast.  Make sure the bread is not warm still ( it will be slightly soggy from the steam is so, wrapping it in a paper towel helps absorb the moisture too.) place it into your lunch box.  This sandwich is fine chilled or perfect reheated for about 20 seconds.  It makes the Brie slightly soft & the apple flavors seem to pop!  I spread nothing on the bread for this sandwich This is just personal preference.  Lunch box additions were: Blueberries & Watermelon slices & a few lowfat fig newtons
***Cheese note:  Brie comes in many varieties, this is one of the least in price & more widely available in the states but perfect for melting into a cheese sandwich.  Want to take a walk on the wild cheese side?  Check out the cheese counter at Whole Foods.  It is a real trip to Bountiful!! Happy Lunch hour!
Cheesy Factoid:
The oldest recorded evidence that anyone could find of the existence of Brie Cheese was found in the chronicles of Charlemagne. At that time, the Emperor in power, had a taste of the now-famous cheese in the city of Brie around the year 774 BC. And here’s another fascinating tidbit about Brie cheese… Louis XVI’s last and dying wish was supposedly to have a final taste of Brie. *

*for more history of Brie check here

Lemony Egg Salad on a Meatless Monday

Eggs are full of packed full of protein & great for a mid day meal. I know my mother knew this when I was a kid since she would pack a boiled egg in my lunch box. What she did not account for was the clumsy antics of a kid in the hours leading up to lunch time. It never failed that I would slam my lunch into something not realizing what the boiled egg sulfur smell would do to my entire lunch time experience. Yikes, not to mention my lunch time reputation! It took me years to let my mother know that I didn't need boiled eggs in my lunch. Even those memories did not dull my enjoyment of a simple Egg Salad Sandwich. Anyone who enjoys this salad has a favorite way they like it. There need not even be a recipe it is so simple. It is all in a pinch of this seasoning & slightly less mayo to prevent the salad from going soggy. What is important is the egg boiling. If you have ever seen a slight green or silver tinge to the yolk when you boil an egg it is because the egg was boiled far too long. Also keep in mind that farm fresh eggs often don't slip out of the shell as easily as an older store bought egg when being peeled.

Lemony Egg Salad with Basil
6 large eggs, boiled, cooled completely.
1-2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
Salt and pepper
Juice from 1/2 fresh lemon
1 Tbsp. Capers, well drained
1 stalk of Celery, chopped
2 Tbsp. Fresh Basil leaves, thinly sliced
For sandwich garnish, lettuce, spinach or sprouts

*Perfect boiled eggs. Place the eggs in saucepan and cover with cold water by a 1/2-inch or so. Bring to a boil. Now turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for exactly 10 minutes. When the eggs are done cooking place them in an ice water bath for three minutes or so - long enough to stop the cooking. When eggs are cool, peel the shells off & make salad.

I slice my eggs width-wise then lengthwise. I personally don't like my eggs mashed for egg salad & this gives them a nice texture. Gently mix in all ingredients. This salad makes enough salad for 4 sandwiches. If you take egg salad in your lunch be sure & keep it chilled. I served my egg salad in a 1/2 Pita Pocket. Lunch Box additions: It paired well with fresh veggies, cheese & fruit.





This little vintage egg slicer made light work of slicing up 6 eggs for the Lemony Egg Salad. A wonderful find at our local City Wide Garage Sale, my husband could not understand my excitement when I showed him the cute vintage Pink egg slicer I purchased for $1.00!


What my Lunch Styled looked like back in the day?? Seriously cute & kind of school-girl prep, my thermos didn't last very long. Clumsy kids didn't stand a chance then when the thermos jars had glass linings...



Does anyone remember Vivian in Pretty Woman saying "“slippery little suckers" & accidently launched her escargot across the restaurant? I also found these at the aforementioned City Wide Garage Sale & re-purposed them right into my everyday kitchen items. Escargot tongs the perfect boiled egg tong? Who knew? They also are great for grabbing tea bags out of a boiling hot mug of tea.

Asian Bao: Tiffin for one, please!

Take a Bao & have a unique lunch. At our local Asian store we can find all sorts of delicious selections for a quick healthy bite at lunch. There are several choices of Char Siu Bao(Chinese steamed buns)available here in Austin Texas. I could get carried away on the selection of the steamed buns since they seem to have sweet, savory, veggie & even tiny miniature Bao buns. Choices, choices...just one of the delicious steamed buns & a salad make a great lunch. Most Asian stores even have a selection of lunch boxes, I found this Tiffin at the same store. The housewares aisle has some great items to both inspire & make lunch making more interesting. Not close to an Asian supermarket? Try checking this site which has a wonderful selection of Tiffins. Tiffins & Bentos are a great way to carry a meal and everything is secure inside. Tiffins actually clamp down at the top.
Tiffin Factoid:
Tiffins are actually a very old method for carrying lunch. Since 1890 each day in Mumbai, India’s largest city, around 200,000 office workers receive a home cooked lunch prepared by their spouse and later hand delivered in a traditional ‘Tiffin’ lunch box by a Dabbawallah. The Tiffins filled with a home cooked meal are identified by colors, design or symbols. Somehow with 200,000 delivered meals the correct Tiffin seems to get to the hungry Tiffin recipient. The Dabbawallah is a person whose highly specialized profession it is to take the fresh food from the home to the worker each day. The word Tiffin actually means light lunch.


In truth, Tiffins can feed far more than one but you get the idea. Change up the lunch routine & make your PB&J a wee bit more exciting. Out with the mediocre brown bag & in with something new. Lunch time doesn't have to be less than exciting.

Of course if you really want to have a Tiffin with some style try one of these Thai Monk Tiffin boxes at this site.








My personal favorite Tiffin can be found here at Ten Thousand Villages, a true nod to the 2010 Eat Pray Love movie starring Julia Roberts.









You never know who will be taking lunch in a Tiffin next!