the UGC: Pinterest Recipe Round-up

Pinterest Recipe Round-up
February 24, 2013

Remember when I was all "I'm going to review recipes I've made from Pinterest every once in a while"? Um, yeah. Not doing so great on that one. But despite how things look, I have been cooking!

The thing is, the way I cook has sort of changed. I don't really cook dinner anymore. Most of what I cook is food for my lunch during the week. Which doesn't mean I don't pin things that don't look like great dinner recipes, it just means that most of what I make falls more into the lunch category. I find something that sounds like it would survive well as left overs, make the recipe on Sunday, and then portion it out for 3 or 4 lunches during the week.

I've actually made quite a few things that I've pinned on Pinterest (I've just been slacking on tacking photos of what I cook):

Paleasagna - also known as "paleo lasagna". It's what's in the photo at the top. The basic premise is using zucchini to replace the layers of pasta, a layer of ground turkey and tomato, and then a layer of greek yogurt, cheese, egg, and chopped broccoli. I made this earlier today, and then ate some for lunch because I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. Annnd it was pretty good! Next time, I think I might add a small can of tomato sauce to the meat mixture, to make it a bit more saucy, and possibly some raw crushed garlic to the broccoli mixture. But it was definitely good enough for me to want to make again.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad - My mum actually sent me the link to this one, and I saved it on Pinterest because it's exactly the kind of lunch recipe I look for. This one was a definite winner, just for the dressing alone. But with the quinoa and veggies and olives, it was all perfect together. I did add some feta (Mum's idea) when I made it, and I included some sliced chicken when I packed it for my lunch. I would also suggest seeding the cucmber if you make this (the recipe doesn't mention this step). I think it helps keep everything from getting too watery, especially if it's going to be in the fridge for a couple days.

Thai Larb Chicken Lettuce Cups - These were so good. So very good. I ended up using ground turkey instead of chicken and tamari instead of soy sauce. Oh, and I put everything over some romaine lettuce and sliced red bell pepper to make it more of a salad. Which I think is how larb is usually served. It worked better for my lunches that way. One day I even managed to throw in some chopped mint, which was excellent, though I would have preferred to add a bunch of cilantro. Next time. Because there will definitely be a next time.

Beef & Bean Chile Verde - This recipe? I've already given it to 3 co-workers. It's easy, quick, and delicious. Also, I can buy everything to make it at Trader Joe's (I love their Salsa Verde in the jar) and it's easy to change it up. The first time, I made it with pinto beans, the next time - kidney beans. I might even make it with black beans at some point. I garnish this with some chopped tomatoes, green onions, and a little sour cream. Sometimes I even add a little cheese. The possibilities are endless!

So how many recipes is that? Four? That's like a whole month of lunches! Assuming you don't mind eating the same thing for lunch all week. That money you were spending on lunch? That could go towards, oh, I don't know, shoes?

You can thank me later.

$\"Almost$ \n\n\nRemember when I was all \"I'm going to review recipes I've made from Pinterest every once in a while\"? Um, yeah. Not doing so great on that one. But despite how things look, I have been cooking!\n\nThe thing is, the way I cook has sort of changed. I don't really cook dinner anymore. Most of what I cook is food for my lunch during the week. Which doesn't mean I don't pin things that don't look like great dinner recipes, it just means that most of what I make falls more into the lunch category. I find something that sounds like it would survive well as left overs, make the recipe on Sunday, and then portion it out for 3 or 4 lunches during the week. \n\nI've actually made quite a few things that I've pinned on Pinterest (I've just been slacking on tacking photos of what I cook):\n\nPaleasagna - also known as \"paleo lasagna\". It's what's in the photo at the top. The basic premise is using zucchini to replace the layers of pasta, a layer of ground turkey and tomato, and then a layer of greek yogurt, cheese, egg, and chopped broccoli. I made this earlier today, and then ate some for lunch because I couldn't wait to see how it turned out. Annnd it was pretty good! Next time, I think I might add a small can of tomato sauce to the meat mixture, to make it a bit more saucy, and possibly some raw crushed garlic to the broccoli mixture. But it was definitely good enough for me to want to make again. \n\nMediterranean Quinoa Salad - My mum actually sent me the link to this one, and I saved it on Pinterest because it's exactly the kind of lunch recipe I look for. This one was a definite winner, just for the dressing alone. But with the quinoa and veggies and olives, it was all perfect together. I did add some feta (Mum's idea) when I made it, and I included some sliced chicken when I packed it for my lunch. I would also suggest seeding the cucmber if you make this (the recipe doesn't mention this step). I think it helps keep everything from getting too watery, especially if it's going to be in the fridge for a couple days.\n\nThai Larb Chicken Lettuce Cups - These were so good. So very good. I ended up using ground turkey instead of chicken and tamari instead of soy sauce. Oh, and I put everything over some romaine lettuce and sliced red bell pepper to make it more of a salad. Which I think is how larb is usually served. It worked better for my lunches that way. One day I even managed to throw in some chopped mint, which was excellent, though I would have preferred to add a bunch of cilantro. Next time. Because there will definitely be a next time.\n\nBeef & Bean Chile Verde - This recipe? I've already given it to 3 co-workers. It's easy, quick, and delicious. Also, I can buy everything to make it at Trader Joe's (I love their Salsa Verde in the jar) and it's easy to change it up. The first time, I made it with pinto beans, the next time - kidney beans. I might even make it with black beans at some point. I garnish this with some chopped tomatoes, green onions, and a little sour cream. Sometimes I even add a little cheese. The possibilities are endless!\n\nSo how many recipes is that? Four? That's like a whole month of lunches! Assuming you don't mind eating the same thing for lunch all week. That money you were spending on lunch? That could go towards, oh, I don't know, shoes?\n\nYou can thank me later.

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