A Bread Post

I am honestly a little surprised that I haven't had a post that has been dedicated to all the fantastic uses of bread. It is one of my absolute favorite food groups and if you put a bread basket in front of me, then you will not be enjoying any of it. It will be gone. In a flash.

Story time: As a child I enjoyed bread so much that I thought I would start a little bread collection. My tiny, undeveloped brain thought of the genius plan to fill a shoe box with all sorts of breads to keep under my bed for those middle of the night cravings. Completely normal.  So after dinner one night, I stealthily filled a Ked's shoe box with two leftover dinner rolls, some biscuits from breakfast that morning, and a few pieces of classic Wonder Bread. I went to bed that night happy, knowing that under my bed was my own, little collection of carbs. Well, after about 30 minutes of "sleep", I woke up STARVING and had to break in to my rations. Ten minutes later... bread collection had been depleted. Gone, vanished, gobbled up by carb-loving Kathleen. 

Now you understand the need for a bread post.

Earlier this week, when buying bread for my grown-up almond butter + jam sandwich, I had a major George Banks "Superflous Buns" moment at the grocery store. I kept looking at the loaves of bread thinking about how I was buying bread for one person. I wanted to stick my hand in the bag, take out the two slices that I needed and leave the rest for another 23 year old in my predicament. What on earth would I do with all those slices before it eventually molded? Oh, don't worry, carb-loving Kathleen has found some ways.

1. Avocado + Egg Toast 

Mash 1/4 of an avocado with salt, pepper, and a little Tabasco sauce and spread on a toasted slice of bread. Top with a scrambled egg. Delicious breakfast!

2. Grilled Almond Butter + Jam Sandwich

It was so good the first time, why not enjoy it again on this upcoming lazy weekend. I might even add some variance to my berries.

3. Summer Panzanella

The Smitten Kitchen panzanella looks absolutely wonderful and it is basically a salad with extra croutons so what's not to love?

4. Whole Wheat Bread Pudding

After three meals of carbs it is only right to have a dessert made completely of bread. It includes apples, raisins, and walnuts so those make it perfectly healthy!

Carb up, it's almost the weekend. 

Grown-Up Lunch

I love a great peanut butter and jelly sandwich and as I grew up, I realized there were other versions of this easy lunch that I loved too. Peanut butter, banana, and honey is a great alternative and I also discovered that by replacing the bananas with strawberries you can vary your options and add some color.

For an easy, but amplified sandwich recipe, I tried out a new version on this lunchtime classic. Because my little sister is allergic to peanuts, I have been introduced to almond butter. I don't eat it nearly as much as her but when I saw this grilled almond butter and raspberry jam sandwich I knew that I had to bust out her favorite sandwich spread. 

I love that this sandwich uses almond butter and fresh raspberries and once you grill it all the flavors melt together for a wonderful, panini-like sandwich. 

So the next time you are home for lunch and all out of Lunchables, make this sandwich and then plop down on the couch to watch your favorite episode of Boy Meets World.  

Not your average PB&J. 

Tomato and Asparagus Orzo

This recipe for tomato and asparagus orzo is delicious and a perfect summer meal.

I had never made orzo before and not only was it so easy, but absolutely delicious. 

To save time throughout the week, I made a BIG batch of this on Sunday night and then took it for my lunch at work throughout the week. Unfortunately I made it the week that I only worked three days and then went on vacation. I came home to a big bowl of not-so-delicious orzo with wilted asparagus and tomatoes.

Lesson learned.

It will not stop me from making this again though. Not only is it a great lunch but also a good side dish for dinner which I am constantly on the hunt for!

No more lunchables.