The Simple Lunch I’ve Been Consuming As soon as a Week

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+ superb concepts. To return the favor, I wished to share a supremely straightforward lunch in my present rotation…

Welcome to the stage…bowl of steamed edamame. In contrast to 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 soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. But when I’m in a rush, haven’t grocery shopped in eternally, or discover myself texting whereas the water boils, it’s additionally satisfying with simply flaky salt and chili crunch oil. The right aspect: rice crackers.

Hetty Lui McKinnon as soon as shared a easy recipe for ginger and cumin spiced edamame. “My freezer at all times incorporates two or three or perhaps 4 baggage of edamame beans, simply in case the craving strikes,” she wrote. Joanna informed me that for years she’s been making the extraordinarily straightforward parmesan, mint, and edamame salad (#35) from Mark Bittman’s listing of 101 picnic concepts. “Don’t neglect the lemon,” she texted. Famous!

Relating to straightforward lunches, I requested Adam Roberts what he’s been having. “Currently I’ve been making dip salads,” he mentioned. “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 high of the dip. Identical 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 to be like like one thing I might 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 could of lentils with contemporary bread from the bakery close to my home.

P.S. Three straightforward weekday lunches and Joanna’s present hyperfixation meal.

(Prime picture from Lena Corwin’s house tour. Meals photographs by Adam and me.)

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