Weekday Lunches: The Cheese Plate

This is the lunch that gets the most attention.  It might be envy, because cheese.  It might be curiosity, because I typically eat it on Wednesday.  And it might be disgust, because my colleagues know I packed it at least 56 hours prior, at a minimum.  But the personally packed cheese plate has the best staying power, and is still delicious after a flight and two days in the fridge at the client site.  Here is my tried and true recipe.

Personally Packed Cheese Plate (To Go!)
3 wedges hard cheese (I like sharp cheddar, manchego, smoked gouda, pecorino romano, or parmegiano reggiano, to name a few), wrapped individually in plastic wrap
1 handful toasted pecans
1 handful dried apricots
Several large crackers or flatbreads (I love Dr. Kracker Klassic 3 Seed, even though I am personally opposed to intentional misspellings)
2 handfuls fresh fruit, uncut and unwashed

Pack the dry ingredients in one strong tupperware, and the wet (fruit) in another.  Line the fruit container with a napkin or paper towel, and do not wash fruit until ready to consume to avoid mold. Store in suitcase until you can refrigerate, enjoy within two business days of arriving on site.  

Home Detox: Roasted Red Pepper Soup with Fresh Herbs

In my constant quest to use up whatever fresh ingredients I have acquired over the weekend before I take off on Monday, I often make soup on Sunday.  I can enjoy it for a simple dinner, then freeze it and take it on the road for a weekday lunch as well, and save a portion to welcome me home again on Thursday.  This week, an excess of mini bell peppers meant roasted red pepper soup with fresh herbs from the garden.  The addition of half and half or cream in the soup makes the "detox" label a little dubious, but two tablespoons can't hurt anyone.  Right?

Room Service Trophy: Custom Cheese Plate

Last week, I took one for the team.  I was the only engagement member to stay over in Jersey on July 3rd.  Everyone else headed home to be with family or into the city to work from the Times Square office.  Someone had to be at the client site, just in case something came up, and this time I was that someone.  But that also meant I was all alone the evening before, setting my own schedule and dining alone.  I made the most of it by getting a manicure (shown above) and ordering a custom cheese plate (also shown above).

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Egg Sandwich Two Ways

I have traveled for the past three weekends on top of regular weekday travel, so when I got home last Thursday night, the fridge was a sad and scary place.  Wilted vegetables, old potatoes, beans I made and forgot about...  In the midst of all that, I located a few slices of nice seven grain bread and some eggs.  Time for an open-faced hard boiled egg sandwich two ways.

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Avocado Toast

I guess toast is a thing now.  I was unsure when I heard the artisanal toast piece on This American Life, chagrined when I fell for The Kitchn's April Fools toast joke, and decidedly curious when I saw that The Queen and Beaver in Toronto had an entire menu section devoted to toast.  We selected the Aged Cheddar and Smoked Tomatoes toast, just FYI.

Road Tested: Room Service Trophy

I eat a lot of room service.  I do not prefer it.  I know that is a champagne problem and things could be a lot worse.  But they could also be better!  But I have a new system that is making things a lot better.  It is very simple - order what I want to eat.  Ignore the menu.  Or use it for inspiration.  But there is no need to stick to it.

Home Detox: Kimberly Snyder's Glowing Green Smoothie

I am a Kimberly Snyder enthusiast.  I read The Beauty Detox Solution the last semester of grad school, and the timing could not have been better.  After two years of boozing, including a semester abroad, I was due for a detox, and really, for a lifestyle change.  I know she has her critics, and I certainly don't follow all of her tenants. But starting the day with hot lemon water followed by her Glowing Green Smoothie makes me feel so great. I can't recommend it highly enough.

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Asparagus and Mushroom Tart

I'm flying home on Wednesday this week (very exciting!!) and based on my mental audit of my fridge's contents, I'm planning to recreate these Asparagus and Mushroom Tarts for dinner.  I made them for an Easter appetizer previously, and they are delicious and easy.  The only potential hold up is the puffed pastry being in the freezer, rather than the fridge.  I found some posts on how to quickly defrost puff pastry, but their definition of "quickly" might be different from mine.  I think if I can get the pastry unfolded in thirty minutes, I'll be good to go.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Home Detox: Peanut Butter Sriracha Toast

I read about Peanut Butter Sriracha Toast in Bon Appetit, and my immediate reaction was "Y-E-S."  This is the kicking peanut butter sandwich I have been waiting for.  Peanut butter and jelly is too boring.  Peanut butter and bananas is too squishy unless I can make it on really crispy toast and eat it immediately with honey.  And I want everything I eat burning hot anyway.

Food Souvenirs: Shrub Drinks Drinking Vinegar

A few weeks ago, I reunited with dear friends in Austin for a girls weekend. We shopped South Congress, strolled Town Lake, hit the Austin Farmers Market, watched movies, and cooked and ate in. It was good for my soul.

Weekday Lunches: Homemade Hummus and Crudite

Hummus is my friend.  We are very close and spend a lot of time together.  I like store-bought or restaurant-made hummus, but I love homemade hummus.  I prefer no garlic (which is hard to come by commercially), lots of lemon, and heavy on the tahini and spice.  Paired with fresh, crunchy crudite, this makes for a perfect lunch on the road, especially during the weeks when we are eating big team dinners out.

Weekday Lunches: Udon Utopia

My current favorite go-to lunch to pack on Sundays and enjoy during the week is Udon Utopia.  My recipe differs week to week based on what's on hand, in the garden, and sounds good, and after much experimentation, I think below is the perfect balance.  I can prep it as the weekend winds down, close it in tough plasticware, and enjoy it from the client site on Monday or Tuesday.  Usually Monday.  Because it's my current favorite.

Quick Meals Upon Landing: Bucatini with Spicy Shrimp

After a week on the road, I am happy to get back home to my kitchen, and hungry to make dinner happen quickly.  Traveling via Newark means I land at 8:00PM and arrive home at 8:30PM, and want dinner on the plate by 9:00PM.  This time pressure means I need shelf-stable bases, quick thawing protein, and vegetables from the fridge or garden.  (Obviously no time to shop, unless its Hudson News in EWR Terminal C).  Spicy shrimp bucatini is one of my favorites.