One of my favorite things to do is to just stare into my kitchen cabinet and come up with a plan to make a meal out of the odds and ends sitting there, waiting to be used. (Read: I don’t like to go to the grocery store. But I do like to pretend I’m on a chef cook-off reality TV show.)
So what’d I come up with this week? A lunch made entire of things that were on hand. This is what I found when I opened up the fridge & pantry:
Half an onion, originally sliced for hamburgers A lime, the last leftover from who knows what Ginger-infused sugar, from making candy Part of a box of quinoa, already cooked Spinach needing to be used asap It wasn’t looking too promising. But the good news was, I had some basics: a plain-flavored whole grain, savory vegetables, and some surprising flavors for a twist. Turns out, so long as you have some essentials every kitchen is sure to have around, that’s all you need for this:
Sautee the onion a teaspoon of oil. I threw in some thinly sliced garlic.
Add salt and pepper. Stir and let cook while you peel & chop the lime.
Mix in ginger infused sugar (fresh, minced ginger would also work)
Cook until onion is well done, not quite caramelized
Add grain (could be quinoa, couscous, barley, rice, etc)
Fold in greens & lime. Mix lime enough to crush it, releasing juices.
Remove from heat when spinach is just wilted, not completely cooked.
Serve!
Tagged: food, healthy eating, leftovers, Quick & Easy, Vegan, Vegetarian
