Blogger has been acting up a lot ... I've been trying to leave comments and it's not letting me.. we'll see if I can post this.
On New Years, I love to eat Black Eyed Peas and Greens for good luck. Being on weight watchers, I am constantly coming up with new recipes... we had a great spread... I took collard greens and steamed them.. and made an awesome, Greek inspired bulgur pilaf with tons of veggies and black eyed peas. I stuffed the pilaf into the greens and we ate some of them with a low calorie yogurt (silken tofu/lemon mixture)/tahini lemon sauce and orange slices.
For dinner, I made two pestos.. one for the kids and M, again, going with the black eyed peas and greens theme.. their pesto was made from sunflower seeds, spinach, black eyed peas, olive oil, lemon juice and salt/pepper.. I made around a quart and they had some for dinner and I froze the rest.
I made myself some lovely fat free arugula/black eyed pea pesto. It was wonderful on some whole wheat pasta, topped with 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil and 2 tbsp " parmesan" cheese. Look at how much brighter this pesto is without the fat!!
the inside of the collard green/black eyed pea roll up
the inside of the collard green/black eyed pea roll up
I decided to take a majority of the roll ups and make them into freezer meals... I topped them with homemade marinara and cashew parmesan (cashews, nutritional yeast, onion/garlic powder) and baked them... I had some for dinner last night, topped with fresh basil.. delicious.
The lovely golf course is closed for the season! It is magical. Now that they are closed, J and I are walking on the actual course.. (on the paved trail) and it opens up even more than I imagined.. It is sooooo awesome! I will definitely take some pics.. there is a tree that is so womanlike... I can't do it justice with words, so I won't try..
The lovely golf course is closed for the season! It is magical. Now that they are closed, J and I are walking on the actual course.. (on the paved trail) and it opens up even more than I imagined.. It is sooooo awesome! I will definitely take some pics.. there is a tree that is so womanlike... I can't do it justice with words, so I won't try..
Wow, these photos are awesome. My metabolism has slowed significantly in the last couple of years. I started running again which has helped a lot, but also makes me a lot hungrier!
ReplyDeleteYour rolls look so creative. My mom used to make these beef and cabbage rolls that were steamed in a tomato based broth thing. I never liked them much but I always loved the idea of them. I think your veggie version is perfect!
ReplyDeleteI love those rolls. My mom used to make cabbage rolls too and your rolls would be a healthy, vegan substitute for that. I would never have thought to make pesto out of blackeye peas -- very inventive.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, everything looks so good, and it made me realize how long it's been since I've had collard greens!
ReplyDeleteI also tragically forgot to have black-eyed peas on Jan. 1, but did on Jan. 2!
Hey !!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know where I was but I had no idea you were back on Blogger ! Yay !!!!!!
Your food looks amazing, as always.
I wish you much success with WW and a Wonderful New Year :)
I ate collards and black-eyed peas for New Year's, too, but mine didn't look nearly as fancy as yours. I never even thought of doing such a thing with collards!
ReplyDeleteCollards instead of grape leaves.... looks wonderful! I like your pesto, it is a very pretty green. Although I have been very tempted I haven't made pesto yet.
ReplyDeleteLet's all raise a collective BOO to slowing metabolism.
ReplyDeleteThose collard dolmades are amazing-as are your photos. Have you ever taken a photography class? Love the composition and your color choicesin the arrangement.
Oooh! Those "dolmas" look great!!!! I love the pilaf and black-eyed pea filling idea! Nice job!!
ReplyDeleteYou are a food genius aren't you.. those roll thingy’s just look awesome! BRAVO.. I didn't get a chance to weigh in on your last post.. But, I have shared w/ you in the past that yes, I too am kind of over weight.. And try as I might I know my weakness.. carbs.. carbs and did I mention the carbs? Pasta, bagels, whatever.. I start off good w/ a healthy normal portion size and then blow it by having a bite of this Childs then a bite of that child’s and before you know it.. my healthy portion size has doubled.. waaaa...
ReplyDeletePlease be proud of yourself for making the change! You are doing a great job and I would love to applaud you for your efforts!! Take care, and I wanted to wish you and your family a very happy and healthy new years!!
take care,
Julee
Wow, those rolls are so neat! I would love to try something like that sometime. Also, the pestos are so vibrant and lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow! This food looks amazing! I never knew black eyed peas and greens were for good luck in the new year. I am salivating at your pictures.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about being creative while on WW. I am always coming up with new 'point friendly' dishes. Those green roll up things are so cool, and it's nice that you thought of a few different ways to eat them.
ReplyDeleteI have never eaten black eyed peas on Jan 1, though I am familiar with the practice. Maybe next year.
those photos are BEAUTIFUL! what a good job you're doing...
ReplyDeletei'm doing the low carb vegetarian diet right now...i am eating eggs & cheese for that but i LOVE eggs & cheese so i ain't complainin'
The collard greens wraps are a great idea. They look really pretty too. The pestos looks delicious. Love their rich green colors.
ReplyDeletegreat food! great work!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2007 - the roll ups look divine!
ReplyDelete<3 Mikaela
The rolls AND the pesto look so inspired! 2007 sure is treating you well so far - even if you forgot the black eyed peas ;)
ReplyDelete