Comments on: Healthy eating isn’t a time-suck (+ a delicious 15-minute salad)

By: Sheglova

Sheglova — Tue, 04 May 2010 19:46:31 +0000

Hi Camille,
Thank you for your reply! I haven’t tried couscous yet but it is on my shopping list. The question I have now is about the rotisserie chickens you can buy in a conventional supermarket or a health food store. I read that most of them (all that I bought in the past anyway) are infused with extra oil and sodium for taste and other additives e.g. food coloring. Even those sold in Whole foods have a list of ingredients other than chicken, salt, pepper – done! That made me reconsider buying them from a store and side with the angry man Michael Ruhlman to roast them at home. : ) What’s your take on it? Is there a preferred brand of your choice?
Also, what, in your opinion, are the better kinds of balsamic vinaigrette out there? I am always on a look out for a good brand but haven’t found the one I really like yet.

PS. I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog!!!

By: Camille

Camille — Sat, 01 May 2010 02:25:18 +0000

Gracie and Jen–great suggestions. I didn’t even think of stir-fries, but we do make those a lot–love that they’re so easy and you can throw almost anything in!

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:02:08 +0000

Because I work from home, I find that if I don’t have a quick salad for lunch, I just eat spelt pretzels and peanut butter. I love this snack, but it’s not the best lunch fuel, so I’m always looking for new salad ideas. Thanks for the suggestion, Camille!

I also agree that healthy food can be fast, like stir-frys. My husband and I eat lots of stir-frys, especially on nights when we we get home late from class. Like last night, we had kasha with chickpeas, capers, arugula, garlic, tomatoes, and lemon. That meal took very little time to prep and cook and was delicious!

By: Gracie (complicated day)

Gracie (complicated day) — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 02:41:48 +0000

You can buy whole wheat couscous in bulk (Whole Foods, etc) and it is inexpensive and cooks in 5 minutes.
If I know I won’t have a lot of time to cook dinner, I throw a pound of dried beans in the crock pot before I leave for work (you can cook them on high un-soaked but it’s better to soak overnight and cook on low all day).
Another fast favorite: chop up assorted vegetables and steam lightly; throw in a handful of leftover kidney beans; then season with rice vinegar, red pepper, S&P, etc, top with feta, and serve on brown basmati rice. Yum!

By: Camille

Camille — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:18:59 +0000

Great tip–thanks, Barry!

By: Barry

Barry — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:16:45 +0000

Looking at the recipe for the Moroccan and Middle Eastern-influenced salad: I’ve found rotisserie chicken at Sam’s that is $1 and sometimes $2 cheaper than at grocery stores, and Sam’s are usually larger.

By: Camille

Camille — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:02:38 +0000

Hi Sheglova,
Couscous isn’t stellar–it is pasta, and not whole grain–but in small doses, I don’t see any reason not to eat it.
Camille

By: Sheglova

Sheglova — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 19:57:42 +0000

Question: How nutritious is couscous? I notice Near East products on the shelves of the local natural foods market and they look interesting. I usually just shy away from those thinking it’s just another processed pasta product. Is there a difference between couscous and a regular non-whole grain pasta?
And, oh, yucks… Michael Ruhlman! There is a guy who truly cares about cooking! I was brought up in a “cooking from scratch” household and continued on with the tradition taking it to my family but wow… MR takes to a whole new level. : )

By: Camille

Camille — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:11:48 +0000

Hi Scott,
Thanks for this! We do a lot of salads, too. I like the salmon idea–we don’t eat nearly enough of it.
-Camille

By: Scott Hooks

Scott Hooks — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:09:39 +0000

When I don’t have definitive plans for dinner, I usually just throw together a salad with whatever is in the fridge because it is quick and easy and nutritious. Here are some other ideas to mix it up a bit:

Use mandarin oranges or craisins (cranberry raisins) for an extra sweet kick.
Add nuts or avocado for some healthy fat.
Use carrots or celery instead of croutons for a healthier crunch.
Throw in some spinach.
If you like creamy dressings look for yogurt-based options (usually in the produce section)
As an alternative to chicken, I often use salmon, which microwaves in minutes.