Sun-Dried Tomato Spread for Lunch

As promised I have been working on lunch ideas. I always need lunch to be quick! For most of our marriage I have been fortunate enough to have Miles come home everyday for lunch. I think it is a true blessing to steal that extra time together. However, it also makes one more meal I have to prepare everyday verses shoving an apple and a few crackers in my mouth when I get hungry. What usually happens is I look at the clock and say, "Oh no! It is 11:30 and Miles will be home soon. What can I fix for lunch?" I rush to the kitchen and get working. I will admit that many days we have leftover dinner and that makes it a little easier but I like to have some things on hand that can make it quick when I don't have leftovers. This sun-dried tomato spread is one of them!

This is quite simple to make and I use it in a variety of ways not to mention it tastes divine! It is a recipe I found in an issue of Runner's magazine where they were posting some quick meal ideas for runners.

You do need a little time to make the sauce but once the sauce is made you can make very quick meals. I like to make extra to keep in the fridge so we will have some on hand for several days.

You need to start by soaking some sun-dried tomatoes in water for about 30 minutes. You are supposed to go run for those 30 minutes! Any amount of water is fine. You will discard most of it and reserve 1/4 cup of it to mix in. Then blend the tomatoes in a food processor until fine.

Then you will add these ingredients to the food processor: olive oil, roasted red peppers, garlic, walnuts, oregano, and a pinch of cayenne. You can buy chopped walnuts to save time or pre-chop them a little so they can get ground up very finely. I also chop up the roasted red pepper a little before it goes in the food processor. You want to have a nice smooth texture.

(The actual recipe is posted below)

Yesterday for lunch I spread some of this delicious sauce on a whole wheat tortilla.

Then I topped it with feta cheese, my favorite!

Then of course I had to add something green.

Then a few more veggies for some crunch and to make it more filling because I didn't want to add any meat to it this time. So cucumbers and tomatoes it was!

Then I drizzled just a little of this Greek dressing on top and rolled it up.

 I grabbed a cluster of grapes I had already washed from the fridge and ate my lunch. I was in and out of the kitchen in about 6 minutes. Faster then you can order at the drive through, pull ahead to pay, and get your meal I would say! Plus much more nutritious for sure and pretty filling with all those veggies in there.

 SUN-DRIED TOMATO SPREAD

(Runner’s Magazine Aug. 2011 issue)

10 sun-dried tomatoes halves (approximate - add more if you like)

1/3 cup roasted red pepper

¼ cup olive oil

2 garlic cloves

¼ cup walnuts

2 Tbsp. fresh oregano

Pinch of cayenne

Salt to taste

¼ cup fresh mint (optional - I have never added)

Soak sun-dried tomatoes in water for approximately 30 minutes. Reserve ¼ cup of the soaking liquid and blend in a food processor then add remaining sauce ingredients and blend until fine. 

I do have another post I did about this recipe here that is the actual full recipe from the magazine. It works well for dinner too! Add some chicken to your wrap or pita bread or make a salad and top it with a few dollops of the sauce in lieu of dressing. I did spread it on whole wheat dollar buns with some rotisserie chicken, spinach, feta, and sliced avocado for our Sunday night feasting with small group and it went over pretty well I think! Just PLEASE try it! The flavors are so amazing and you will not be sorry you have this in your fridge when you forget it is almost lunch time like I do!

In other news...............

My floors are about 75% finished! The trim needs to be nailed back up and the tile layed in the entry. Then I just might be able to put the living room back together!

My baby girl got her glasses today! I think she looks super cute but didn't I pay extra to not have that glare on those lenses???????? I hope it is just the way the sun is coming in the room behind her! She has been happily wearing them since she came home from school without a complaint. Let's hope it stays that way!

This golf ball has been my best friend for the last couple days. I think I have plantar fasciitis. I have been trying to increase my mileage and this is the nasty pay off I get! I have been keeping a couple golf balls in the freezer and rolling my foot over it several times a day to try to relieve the pain. I never thought I would say this but.....I haven't been able to run since Monday and it really stinks! I am a little bit panicked. Ugh! You would think I would be happy to have an excuse not to work out.

I now must get dinner started for tonight! On the menu is Couscous Cakes, Miles' very favorite, a side salad, and hummus with pita for dipping! Vegetarian it is!