Final 12 months, I got here to you with a humble plea: Assist! What’s for lunch? I used to be feeling caught, and CoJ commenters supplied 500+ wonderful concepts. To return the favor, I needed to share a supremely simple lunch in my present rotation…
Welcome to the stage…bowl of steamed edamame. Not like the greens in my fridge which are previous their prime or want time within the oven, a bag of frozen, shelled edamame is at all times fortunately ready within the freezer to be known as up for a random weekday lunch.
Edamame is a superb supply of protein and fiber, so I’m not hungry once more seven seconds later. Whereas I’m boiling water and ready for the edamame to steam, I’ll often seize no matter I’ve within the fridge (cilantro, half a cucumber, carrots, leftover rice), plus a bit of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. But when I’m in a rush, haven’t grocery shopped in ceaselessly, or discover myself texting whereas the water boils, it’s additionally satisfying with simply flaky salt and chili crunch oil. The proper aspect: rice crackers.
Hetty Lui McKinnon as soon as shared a easy recipe for ginger and cumin spiced edamame. “My freezer at all times comprises two or three or perhaps 4 luggage of edamame beans, simply in case the craving strikes,” she wrote. Joanna informed me that for years she’s been making the extraordinarily simple parmesan, mint, and edamame salad (#35) from Mark Bittman’s listing of 101 picnic concepts. “Don’t overlook the lemon,” she texted. Famous!
Relating to simple lunches, I requested Adam Roberts what he’s been having. “Recently I’ve been making dip salads,” he stated. “If I’ve a cocktail party on Wednesday night time and I make a beet dip with beets and yogurt, the subsequent day I’ll schmear a few of that dip on to plates and make a salad with beets, apples, pecans, and goat cheese and pile it on prime of the dip. Similar factor works with hummus and a tomato-onion-cucumber combine or a French onion dip and a wedge salad.”
I’ve to say, Adam’s salad appears like one thing I’d fortunately pay method an excessive amount of for at a restaurant. I just like the “schmear + salad” template.
So, inform me, is there a standout in your lunch rotation? I’m additionally a fan of this will of lentils with contemporary bread from the bakery close to my home.
P.S. Three simple weekday lunches and Joanna’s present hyperfixation meal.
(Prime picture from Lena Corwin’s residence tour. Meals images by Adam and me.)
