Pantry Raid

We love that so many people are enjoying and following our blog. We also love that we're getting a lot more sun this holiday weekend than anticipated, so this post is being written with both those facts in mind. One of the requests we've received is for more recipes - a little more tangible "eat this", as it were. With that in mind, here's a recipe I can whip up in no time from common pantry items. It's low cost, low carb, and low effort.

Grilled Mediterranean Tuna Wraps
1 family size (12 oz) light tuna pouch
1/2 cup roasted red peppers, diced
1 shallot, minced
1 Tb minced garlic
1 tsp herbs de Provence
salt & pepper to taste
4 oz aged, smoked Provolone cheese, shredded or sliced
4 10-inch whole grain tortillas

Warm the first 6 ingredients in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring gently. Preheat a home grill (e.g. Cuisinart Griddler, or a panini press) to high. Divide the tuna mixture evenly into the 4 tortillas. Add 1 oz cheese to each, then wrap. Grill wraps until golden brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. To serve, cut in half on an angle, arrange on plate and garnish with fresh herbs if available.
Makes 2 generous servings of 2 wraps each.

Since this is the first time I've posted a complete recipe, here are some general tricks I always use, regardless of what I'm cooking. I keep parsley, basil, and mint growing on the side of my house for garnish and fresh taste. I take an extra minute to plate the meals I serve and make them look as professional as I can. No, I'm not a chef, but I've certainly been to enough restaurants to know how I like my food to look. The better it looks, the better it will taste. Finally, I keep a few flavorful ingredients ready to go in prepackaged jars. My favorites? Organic minced garlic and roasted red peppers. (I keep taco seasoning on hand too, but that's another recipe.) Convenience foods can wreck your diet and budget if you use too many, but if you read labels and only keep the few that you really love to use on hand, you'll enjoy cooking and dining more.

I hope the next time a few friends drop by you'll give this quick recipe a try. In the meantime, Pete & I wish you all a safe and happy holiday weekend. Love and heartfelt thanks to all of you who have served and still serve the USA!