Vegetable Fried Rice

sometimes [not often] I have happy accidents in the kitchen. yesterday I was trying to come up with something [without going to the store] to have on hand for my husband and I to have for lunches. I had veggie burgers, a couple of ready rice options, frozen broccoli, and eggs. with some quick thinking and my "go-to" ingredients, I came up with a delicious and fast fried rice recipe.

and it goes a little something like this...

Vegetable Fried Rice 

• 2 veggie burgers
• 3 cups frozen broccoli
• 1 package Uncle Ben's Ready Rice -- Teriyaki Style , cooked 
• 2 eggs
• 4 tbsp EVOO, separated
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce 
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp soy sauce, separated
• 1 tbsp minced ginger
• 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed in 1/2 cup [cool] water

1. heat 2 tbsp EVOO, chili garlic sauce, honey, and ginger over med-heat in a large pan.
2. blend mixture with whisk. 
3. when it begins to bubble--add cornstarch liquid and whisk together until well blended. 
4. then add broccoli and toss in sauce. 
5. reduce heat and cover. let cook [stirring occasionally] for 8-10 minutes, or until broccoli is no longer frozen and cooked through. 
6. empty cooked broccoli mixture into a separate bowl.
7. return pan to high heat.
8. add remaining EVOO and veggie burgers to pan.
9. sprinkle 1 tbsp of soy sauce over veggie burgers.
10. break apart veggie burgers into small chunks as you cook them. 
11. when veggie burgers are browned, add rice to pan. 
12. saute until rice begins to brown and crisp a bit.
13. push rice + veggie burger mixture to one side of the pan, and scramble eggs in free pan space. 
14. once eggs are scrambled, fold into rice mixture.
15. add broccoli mixture to rice mixture and saute together. 
16. remove from heat and serve it up! 

thinking of switching up your daily lunch routine? 

check out these great sandwich solutions I spotted on Pinterest! 

xoxo 

Quinoa Cakes

lean-mean-high-protein-fighting machines! that's what my husband and I hope to become in the next 90 days...well, my husband is a tad more motivated than me. I would just like to tone it up [[Jane Fonda style]]. last month he got P90X--so our meals have been aimed at being high in protein + fiber and low in calories.  


Here's one that hit the spot ! 

EVOO + lemon juice + salt and pepper @ 375 degrees. perfect roasted asparagus. 

Grilled Steak with Quinoa Cakes and Roasted Asparagus 


Quinoa Cakes

• 1 cup of cooked Quinoa
• 1 tbsp pesto
• 2 egg
• 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese 
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 tbsp EVOO, separated 

definitely not perfectly round cakes. ehh--still were delish! 

1. saute onions with one tbsp of evoo, until soft + translucent. 
2. meanwhile; combine eggs, pesto, red pepper flakes, italian seasoning, bread crumbs, and cheese in medium bowl. 
3. add egg mixture, onions, and cooked quinoa to bowl. 
4. stir until evenly coated. 
5. using your hands, create small [palm-sized] balls of quinoa mixture. 
6. add remaining EVOO to med-high heated pan. 
7. place cakes in pan, cook for 2-3 minutes or until crispy and brown on each side.  

curious about quinoa? check out some nutritional facts about this incredible grain.