Monday, October 26, 2009

Quick Sandwich Ideas For Meals In Minutes

By Laura Cokherell

Quick meals are important with the hectic schedules we deal with everyday and sandwich wraps are a great way to make a quick and healthy meal anytime. With just a few ingredients you can create a meal in minutes when you are short on time or just want something simple and flavorful. They are the perfect grab-n-go quick meal.

Here is a simple procedure to put a healthy and delicious wrap together in just a little bit of time. It's quick, easy, and flexible and allows for your own tastes, the seasons, or for what you may have on hand at the time you make your sandwich wrap. Just take the ingredients you are using and layer them down the center of the wrap, leaving an inch or so at the bottom to close the wrap when you are finished.

1. The type of wrap you choose can be anything from soft tortilla shells (plain, whole grain, flavored varieties like spinach, tomato, etc.), kale leaves (just be sure to cut out the hard stem and use the soft leafy portion and use raw or steamed), or large lettuce leaves, or even some steamed cabbage leaves.

2. Pick a spread. This will be the flavoring that goes underneath all your ingredients. Spread a layer of your chosen spread over the surface of the wrap. Some simple ideas for spreads are cooked, mashed beans (like black beans, cannellini beans, kidney beans), nut butter, mustard, or cream cheese (either the whipped or regular variety).

3. Pick a hearty filling. Place a filling or combination of fillings on the wrap down the center in a strip. Some simple ideas are: cheese (sliced, shredded, or crumbled varieties), tempeh, tofu (baked varieties), leftover cooked chicken (sliced thinly), canned or fresh cooked tuna or salmon, or hard-cooked eggs, etc.

4. Pick out some vegetables or fruit to add to your wrap sandwich. Make it a healthy quick meal by adding a variety of these delicious and nutritious foods to your sandwich.

Vegetable Suggestions: select a variety from broccoli slaw, fresh tomato slices or diced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, peeled and thinly sliced jicama, marinated artichoke hearts, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced mushrooms, sliced scallions, sliced roasted red peppers, sliced sweet bell peppers, very thinly sliced fennel, chopped or diced onion, thinly sliced cucumbers, etc.

Fruit Suggestions: use banana slices, fresh berries, diced or sliced apples or pears, sliced grapes, peach slices, sliced strawberries or mango, raisins or dried fruit of choice, etc.

5. Add an extra layer of flavor. These are food items that boost the flavor of your sandwich wrap. Use as much and as many as you would like. Here are a few ideas for flavor accents to add depending on the type of wrap you are creating.

Crunchy/Salty/Spicy Flavor Toppings: salsa, pickle relish, peanut sauce, oyster sauce, a sprinkling of soy sauce, cooked and crumbled bacon bits (regular or vegetarian), chopped nuts, a little chopped fresh herbs of choice like basil, dill, oregano, mint, or cilantro

Sweet/Spicy/Crunchy Flavor Toppings: a spoonful of marmalade or all-fruit spread, nutmeg or cinnamon, a little chutney, or something crunchy and/or sweet like granola, chopped nuts, mini-chocolate chips, shredded coconut, etc.

Once you have placed all of your ingredients in layers on your wrap, simply fold up the bottom end and then fold in the sides to close the sandwich.

Here are a few easy ideas for some quick and delicious wrap sandwiches.

- whole grain tortilla wrap, mayonnaise, cooked boneless chicken breast (thinly sliced), shredded lettuce, mango chutney

- whole grain tortilla wrap, tahini, chayote slices, chunky applesauce mixed with some plain, Greek yogurt, cinnamon

- spinach flavored tortilla wrap, cocktail sauce, (shelled, cooked, and chopped) shrimp, (canned and drained) mandarin orange slices, feta cheese

- whole grain tortilla wrap, peanut butter, sliced pears, blueberries, honey, nutmeg

- lettuce leaf, mustard, smoked turkey slices, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, ricotta cheese

- lettuce leaf, mustard, deli ham slices, roasted red pepper slices, goat cheese

- whole grain tortilla wrap, apple butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, shredded apples, raisins, nutmeg

- tomato flavored tortilla wrap, tomato pesto, cooked and mashed black beans, sliced cucumber, sliced roasted red peppers, shredded cabbage, crumbled goat cheese, sprinkle of dried basil, a drizzle of Italian dressing

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