A simple and satisfying lunch {chicken fajitas & black bean soup}

Finding a healthy, tasty, and satisfying meal these days has become nearly impossible.  By following some of the latest diet trends, such as South Beach and even more strict vegan diets, I’ve experienced nothing more than a constant feeling of dull hunger, culminating in a search for anything high in carbs, sugars and fat.  Here’s a perfect, post-workout, meal that was not only mouthwatering, but also left me more satisfied than I had anticipated.  

Chicken fajitas and black bean soup are excellent sources of deliciousness and protein.  Without avocado, cheese or sour cream, this dish can also be extremely low fat.  Here’s my recipe below. 

  

Ingredients:

fajitas:

1 chicken breast (cut into 1/2 inch strips)

1/3 large onion (cut into 1/4 inch strips)

1/2 bell pepper (cut into 1/4 inch strips)

1 (roma) tomato, diced

1-2 large whole wheat tortillas

salt & pepper to taste

lime juice to taste

black bean soup:

1 can black beans

1/2-1 cup chicken (or vegetable) broth

1/4 cup onion, diced

1/4 cup tomato, diced

salt & pepper to taste

lime juice to taste

feta cheese to taste

Method: 

fajitas:

1) Heat chicken strips on grill pan over medium-high until browned on one side

2) Flip chicken strips over & add pepper and onion strips

3) Cook 5-10 minutes over medium heat until chicken is cooked through

4) Season with salt, pepper & lime to taste

5) Serve with whole wheat tortillas & diced tomato

soup:

1) Bring black beans & chicken broth to a boil in saucepan

2) In blender, combine mixture with onion & lime juice until smooth

3) Top with diced tomato, onion & feta cheese

Now here's something interesting

I’m not one for soda.  I often find the typical sugary carbonated drinks to be unpleasant to say the least.  When I recently discovered DRY Soda I was thrilled.  I have to say that so far, I haven’t discovered a flavor that resonates with me; but this is a product I couldn’t fail to mention. 

First off, the packaging and bottle design grabbed me by the eyes and reeled me in.  Once I learned more about this “re-imagined” and all natural soda, consisting of only four ingredients, I was sold. 

The primary letdown for me was the fact that the two flavors I did taste weren’t worth jumping up and down over.  In fact, they tasted strangely tart, even bitter.  No wonder, I had purchased one bottle each of the rhubarb and juniper berry sodas that, I later learned, were characterized as having a high acidity.  I assumed that the sodas would taste sweet, with a hint of added piney or fruity essence, but they retained much of the original flavor instead.

Though a strange first encounter with the DRY Soda products, I am looking forward to trying new flavors, namely their lemongrass, vanilla, blood orange and best-selling flavor, lavender.  Another high note: the website.  Not only are full flavor profiles provided, the company has also included recipes to be paired with each drink.  Now that’s innovative.  

Weekend discoveries

One thing I love about the city is being able to simply wake up and explore.  Whether it’s Noe Valley, the Ferry Building, or an entirely new location, I’m sure to discover something I’ve never seen before.  Here are just a couple shots of my recent excursions. 

Although any trip to the Ferry Building is met with wonderful sights, smells, and tastes, my favorite times to visit are Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings when the Farmer's Market is open.  Not only am I greeted by the wonderful goodies from shops within, I also have the opportunity to savor small tastes of juicy citrus and purchase fresh, organic and locally grown produce right outside in the fresh air. 

  

I love how something as stereotypically unpleasant as a MUNI station in San Francisco can wind up looking beautifully modern. 

Just an average weekday

      Tuesday morning began with a walk through Noe Valley.  I soon decided to trek across Dolores Park and grab a pastry from Tartine Bakery.  Here’s a taste of what I encountered.

After waiting in the long and anticipated line at Tartine, one pastry in particular caught my eye.  

It was a savory Gougère pastry filled with subtle Gruyère cheese, black pepper and one of my favorite herbs: thyme.  

Though mostly hollow within, its depth of flavor provided just the right amount of satisfaction and saltiness to start my day.

Blueberry pancakes

Everybody loves pancakes, especially deliciously fruity ones.  Here’s my recipe for blueberry pancakes that serves two (or one very hungry person).  

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/4 cups milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

2 large eggs

blueberries as desired

Method:

1) Whisk together all ingredients except for blueberries

2) Heat pan over medium heat & add butter or oil

3) Pour out small amount of batter onto pan & add blueberries as desired

4) Cook until bubbles appear on surface & underside is golden brown

5) Flip and cook other side for about one minute more

6) Top with butter & syrup, and enjoy

Macarons

I received a little present this morning... macarons!  Just wanted to share.

Sunday sightings

Yesterday morning, it being a strangely bright and sunny day, I decided it was time for me to make a visit to the Ferry Building.  Here are some of the delicious morsels I came across.  

Ah, the joy of eating a macaron from Miette pastry shop.  A little bundle of love, my Rose Geranium macaron was soft and chewy as I took the first bite.  Next on my list to try are their Grapefruit and Chocolate-Orange macarons along with a bundle of dainty Lavender Shortbread cookies. 

Next stop was Stonehouse Olive Oil.  I have always loved olive oil.  Especially when paired with herbs, sweet balsamic vinegar, salt, and a crusty piece of bread, I will, no doubt, gobble it up.  When the opportunity arose for me to taste various flavors of olive oil, I was delighted.  My favorites were the lightly flavored citrus varieties including Blood Orange,  Persian Lime and Lisbon Lemon.  

Here are just a few more delicious sights from the Ferry Building that I didn't indulge in, but wanted to.  

The Boccalone Salumeria, known for its “tasty salted pig parts”

Just a few of the beautiful mushrooms from Far West Fungi

 Hope you enjoyed this past weekend as much as I did...

Yummy hummus

First of all, who doesn’t love hummus?  It’s a simple comfort, rich and creamy; yet the subtle flavors have such depth. 

I came across Love and Hummus the other day as I began an online quest for local organizations involved in the cultivation, preparation and marketing of food.  One of these organizations, La Cocina, is San Francisco’s first incubator kitchen whose mission is to aid low-income food entrepreneurs in growing their businesses.

I soon discovered that Love and Hummus was one of these establishments and yearned to taste their product.  As I walked into Whole Foods the next day I caught a glimpse of their four flavors of hummus encapsulated in colorful and adorable packaging.  I knew then that I had to try some.  

So I finally decided to purchase the Roasted Lemon & Thyme Hummus.  Though on its own, it was quite lemony and tart, it tasted great with some fresh veggies {yellow bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, broccoli and carrots}, olive oil, and feta cheese.

Their other flavors include Classic Hummus, Spicy Harissa Hummus and Caramelized Garlic Hummus.  

Just something I came across

Here's something I came across in the March '11 edition of Vegetarian Times magazine.  Just as I love food, I also enjoy learning about nutrition.  The “phytonutrient color code” deciphered is shown below. 

YELLOW:

beta carotene: helps strengthen immune system

ORANGE:

alpha carotene: suppresses development of lung, liver & skin
cancer cells

beta carotene: helps strengthen immune system

RED:

anthocyanins: aid in combating diabetes & cancer cells

lycopene: reduces risk of prostate & lung cancers

PURPLE:

anthocyanins: aid in combating diabetes & cancer cells

BLUE:

anthocyanins: aid in combating diabetes & cancer cells

resveratrol: boosts heart health

GREEN:

leutin: prevents cardiovascular disease, protects eyes from
cataracts & macular degeneration

flavonols: boosts heart health

Weekend discoveries

Saturday morning started off as one of those dreaded winter days in San Francisco: cold, foggy and constantly raining.  See for yourself.   

A view of Twin Peaks from my backyard

Rather than jumping up out of bed and walking to the Noe Valley Farmer's Market as I had planned, I decided to stay in for the morning and fix myself a delicious bowl of oatmeal.  

Final product: a bowl of oatmeal, blueberries, banana, walnuts, soy milk and maple syrup... oh and hot tea of course

A teabag for thoughts...

Nearly every person does (or should) love a nice, steaming cup of hot tea.  I like to get back to the simple delicacies of life.  Hope you enjoy my daily thoughts, and don't forget to take each sip with a bit of cream and sugar.