Thank you so much for the birthday wishes everyone!

I has a fabulous day filled with family, friends, and delicious food haha. Great mind think alike, and the theme of my birthday gifts ended up being Rabbit Food For My Bunny Teeth, and I was adorned with some fancy shmancy new goodies for the blog! My sister got me a photography & lighting kit so I can perfect my foodie photos! I take all of my photos in natural light, which means I have to cook and photograph all of my dishes in daylight to get the right lighting. Now that I have a handy dandy lighting kit, I will be able to take photos even after the sun goes down! I was also given some new blog props from my best friend Lauren. She found the cutest fruit decorated knives and veggie shaped cutting boards for me! With the blog themed gifts still going strong, my parents gave me a set of gorgeous Italian hand painted bunny dishes. I can’t wait to show them off in some future recipe posts! Although Sam is out of town, he managed to surprise me (with the help of Lauren) with an insanely amazing dehydrator and I cannot wait to bust that box open and make some kale chips and healthy treats! Thank you so much to everyone who made my birthday so special!

Since I am having my mini surgery today, I thought I would post a recipe while I am up on my feet moving around. My latest grain addiction (don’t fret, quinoa is still in the mix) is a fabulous Harvest Grain Blend from Trader Joe’s: A savory blend of Israeli style couscous, orzo, baby garbanzo beans and red quinoa.

It’s slightly chewy and rather hearty. Most mixed grain blends look fabulous in the bag, but end up turning into an uncooked and overcooked mess due to a need of completely different cooking times to get the correct texture. This blend is perfectly selected so that each grain cooks within the same amount of time. It’s like magic!

Unfortunately Trader Joe’s in not accessible everywhere, so if you don’t have a chance to try this blend, one half cup of whole wheat couscous, brown rice, or quinoa would still make for a delicious dish! Or you could blend all three of those grains evenly and use a one half cup serving for your own whole grain blend! On second thought, I want to try that! I love the textures of all three of those grains!

Harvest Grains with Tofu and Veggies
Serves 1

1/2 cup cooked Harvest Grains (from Trader Joe’s)
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 cup cauliflower
1/2 cup green beans
1/2 cup peas
1/5 package of tofu
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 clove garlic – minced

Cook harvest blend to package instructions (omit butter and extras, only using water). Combine olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic in a pan over medium heat. Add the vegetables and tofu. Cook tofu for about 3 minutes on each side and until vegetables have reached desired tenderness. Serve veggies and tofu side by side with the grains.

The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, peas
Whole Grain: harvest grains blend
Protein: tofu
Plant Based Fat: olive oil

8 Comments on Harvest Grains with Tofu and Veggies

  1. Erica @ EricaDHouse.com
    August 16, 2012 at 12:22 pm (12 years ago)

    Definitely don’t live anywhere near a Trader Joe’s so thanks for the sub recommendation!

    Reply
    • Catherine
      August 16, 2012 at 12:54 pm (12 years ago)

      I wish Trader Joe’s was in every city! They have so many fun treats!

      Reply
  2. Abby
    August 16, 2012 at 12:37 pm (12 years ago)

    You ok? :/ What kind of surgery?

    And I always thought you had a light box for your photos! They look like it!

    Get well soon!

    Reply
    • Catherine
      August 16, 2012 at 12:53 pm (12 years ago)

      Hi Abby! I’m ok, I have a possibly cancerous mole on the bottom of my foot that I am having removed today. I will have stitches and crutches so I won’t be doing a ton of standing and cooking!

      Reply
  3. Emily
    August 16, 2012 at 8:07 pm (12 years ago)

    Being a vegetarian, I have trouble thinking of how to include sufficient amounts of protein into my meals without it seeming like its not supposed to be there, But you have a way of always making all parts of a plate “work” together beautifully. Thanks for your great and informative posts. You are truly blessed to have such determination….I have a hard time going even a day without slipping and having an extra snack or two, but you are an inspiration!

    Reply
    • Catherine
      August 17, 2012 at 12:12 am (12 years ago)

      Thank you so much Emily! Don’t let little slip ups get to you, focus on the healthy choices that you made that day and how far you have come! Every little healthy change counts! xo

      Reply
  4. Kara
    August 17, 2012 at 5:24 am (12 years ago)

    I have recently discovered that I actually enjoy tofu more than just the occassional miso soup (oh, but miso soup is delicious!). However, the packages of tofu scare me because, well, I’ve never cooked anything like it before! I would like to have the option of making a bunch of tofu for my salads during the week but would it hold up in the fridge? Maybe as part of the Q&A2 you could give a Tofu for Dummies rundown? 🙂 I know this dummy would appreciate it!

    I hope the surgery went well! You should rent lots of horrible chick flicks for those long hours couch surfing 🙂

    Reply
  5. Jess
    November 5, 2012 at 4:30 pm (11 years ago)

    omg i love your blog and your recipes, please post more! im so sorry to hear all of these bad things are happening to you 🙁 things will get better, stay strong beautiful girl! <3

    Reply

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