Orzo Salad with Cucumbers Feta and Dill

Ingredients:

• 1 cup orzo

• ¼ cup feta

• Dill

• ½ large cucumber Or 3 mini cucumbers

• Juice from 2 lemons

• ¼ cup EVOO

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Cook the orzo according to directions.

2. I like to add in some turmeric while the orzo cooks to give it a little yellow color.

3. Strain the orzo and add in the lemon and EVOO mixture while still hot. MIX.

4. Let the orzo cool completely before adding cucumbers, feta and dill, or else it will become soggy.

5. If using a large cucumber, seed it first.

6. Chop the cucumber into bite-size pieces.

7. Once orzo is cool mix together orzo with cucumber, dill and feta.

8. Store in the fridge. This is a bright and light dish.

Black Beans and Rice

Rice and beans are a magic combination because together they create a complete protein. Beans alone and rice alone both lack certain essential amino acids. But when eaten together each contributes what the other is missing to form a complete protein.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice (I used organic basmati rice)

• black beans - we like to use Fillo’s Cuban black bean mix or a box/can of black beans works fine

• juice from 1-2 limes

• salt to taste

Directions:

Cook the rice according to the package. After the rice is cooked add in a package of Fillo’s Cuban black beans or a box/can of black beans (rinse and drain). Add in salt, cumin, and juice from 1-2 lime. *Adding some chopped cilantro after it cools down will kick it up a notch.

Crispy Pasta Chips

These chips are versatile and can be seasoned in any way that makes you happy!

Ingredients:

• About 8 oz Pasta we like to use lentil, chickpea, or bow tie

• 1-2 tbs Avocado oil or EVOO

Seasoning:

• Salt

• pepper

• 3 tbs parm cheese (optional)

• 1 tsp oregano

• 1 tsp garlic powder

Directions:

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain. Immediately coat the pasta with oil and seasoning. Mix. You can be creative with your pasta spices.

TO COOK THE PASTA CHIPS IN THE OVEN:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Lay out pasta in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. The pasta will be golden brown and crispy. 

3. Serve with marinara for dipping.

TO COOK THE PASTA CHIPS IN AN AIR FRYER:

1. Place the pasta in the air fryer at 400 degrees for about10- 12 minutes.

2. Shake the basket halfway through. The pasta will not be in a single layer and that is ok.

3. Pasta is ready when it is golden brown and crispy.

oatmeal balls

We love making oatmeal balls with leftover oatmeal, and more recently oatmeal bakes (pretty similar to oatmeal but you bake in the oven instead of stovetop).

Oatmeal balls are an awesome/fun finger food and easy to eat for breakfast, as a snack, or sticking in a lunch box.

Make a ball with the leftover oatmeal (after its in the fridge it is usually cold and sticky and holds its shape well) then roll it in the coconut flakes or hemp hearts.

We pack our oatmeal with goodies like:

• hemp hearts

• chia seeds

• ground flax seeds

• cinnamon

• pepitas

• pure maple syrup

• nut butter

• coconut flakes

• vanilla extract

• pinch of salt

Pesto Pasta

A great lunch or dinner option. We love to use chickpea or lentil pasta for added protein. Our favorite is Tolerant.

Cook the pasta and drain. While the pasta is still warm add in your pesto and mix. YUM!