Food Lab was fun today – we made gingerbread with different combos of leaveners. And then we got to eat them 🙂
Here’s our sample plate (made with baking powder, soda and milk). I had about 5 samples like this.
We also did some more chemically experiments that were no so cool –
We have no fresh fruits or veggies in this house! I was craving something green and thought through my options in the freezer and pantry and remembered a can of collards I’ve had on hand for “emergencies” for a while. Bingo! Kelsey also delivered some of this TJ’s naan, so I decided to make lunch around them.
This entire can of collards is only about 50 kcal with 6+ grams of fiber and protein. It’s just collards and water too, so while not quite as nutritious as fresh due to the heat used in canning, it’s still a great option and was certainly MUCH easier than making collards from scratch.
But what do you do with a can of collard green?
Add something sweet and something nutty 🙂
I added about 2 tsp real thick maple syrup and the microwaved them until hot. Topped with some walnuts, it was the perfect way to eat them. (Yes, I ate the whole can!)
I toasted the naan, spread on some greek yogurt (because I had no Laughing Cow or cream cheese – it was a perfect subs), added the rest of our smoked salmon and sprinkled with dill.
Lastly, POM spiked seltzer
Served with a side of Southern Living and sunshine. It turned out to be a wonderful lunch.
For dessert, I swept and vacuumed all of my floors in typical Friday afternoon fashion. NOW the weekend can start.
This afternoon’s task: designing a restaurant. I met with my Foodservice professor on campus today and she motivated me to knock this guy out. Crossing my fingers I can at least get a lot done before dinnertime. Not sure if that workout is going to happen in I get on a roll (or more French toast!) but it sure is a beautiful day so I’d like to get outside.
TTYL!
zestycook says
Yum on the food – Designing a restaurant – so much fun!!!!
Jennifer says
Kath, thanks for the collards idea! I’m still a little leery about adding maple syrup to greens, but you make it look good!
Sarah says
I love it when a meal comes together like that! Good luuk on your restaurant project!
Kori @ All Things B. says
Kath you have such a knack for inventive meal creation! I must try canned collards now!
The Duo Dishes says
You have fun with your food…literally! We’d try mixing the collards in with greek yogurt or cheese and spread that on naan. Yum…
Beadie @ What I Ate Yesterday says
I have never thought to make greens sweet, good idea! I normally eat this blazin’ spicy.
Bec says
Enjoy your weekend, good luck with the rest of your assignment!
Nicole says
Beautiful meal!
Have fun designing the restaurant. It looks good!
VeggieGirl says
COLLARD GREENS!!!!!!!!!!!! Comfort at its finest.
Enjoy the restaurant design task!!
Run Sarah says
The gingerbread looks so good…mm!
Danielle says
Very creative! I’m definitely not good at making do with what I have I’m always running to the store, great lesson in innovation though!
brandi says
hooray for sunshine and gingerbread – how fun!
Courtney B. says
I have to admit, collard greens scare me.
And speaking of restaurants, have you heard of P.B. Loco. I saw a special on it last night and thought that it sounded like the type of restaurant you might want to visit.
Moran (The Running Addict) says
Sounds (and looks!) like a great mill!!
I heart gingerbread!
sue says
that’s a great lunch, glad you had the emergency can 🙂
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
SMOKED SALMON ON NAAN!? I’m in love!!!
Katherine says
I love your ability to pull things together and make something so gorgeous! 🙂
Michelle says
hi Kath!
Hmm this restaurant design with the professor – DOES THIS MEAN you’re in the works of opening your own restaurant?? I would seriously plan a trip to go all the way there from Chicago so I can eat your micrwaved collard greens and salmon on naan. hehehe
So did you come up with your favorite leavener combo of choice for gingerbread? 😛
Michelle Hisae says
What a great impromptu lunch! You always suprise me with what you come up with!
Courtney (The Hungry Yogini) says
Great lunch for not having much on hand! Love it!
Sharon says
Oh wow, love your lunch!
Jennifer says
P.B. Loco sounds amazing.
Shannon (The Daily Balance) says
That NAN salmon/laughing cow concoction looked divine!
How soon before we hear of you opening a restaurant? 😉
K says
Way to make it work, Kath! Usually when I’m in that situation I end up hauling my bum to the store – you’re meal is impressive!
Heather says
Now THAT’S some creative thinking! I would have never thought to do that with canned collard green!
You have the funnest food labs! Thanks for sharing again… I love hearing little class tidbits about what you’re learning on your RD journey.
With that salmon, how is it prepared? Is it cooked or anything? I have never tried salmon in my salads but have always wanted to and was wondering how you would prepare one for using it in a salad?
Megan says
mmm, I love collard greens! i had some the other night when I visited Sylvia’s Soul Food restaurant in Harlem.
Kate says
hope you get lots of work done tonight and then maybe you can join us on a field trip tomorrow??? 🙂
Elina says
That’s the coolest class experiment! 😀
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
That is one quirky lunch! I have never had collard greens, but I never met a green I didn’t like.
Sarah (lovINmytummy) says
I take that back, I don’t like Tom Green.
Kim says
Making canned greens palatable is definitely a handy skill for people trying to watch their pennies these days — perhaps you could brainstorm some other ideas on how to eat gourmet on a budget!
Kath says
wow that meal looks absolutely grand!
Erin says
Love the orange plate!
Ellen says
wow, i don’t think i’ve ever seen canned collard greens! maybe it’s a southern thing 🙂
if you like that naan from TJs, you should really try their frozen version. it’s even better!
Lisa D says
wow! canned veggies with no salt! what a find!
emmy says
Ellen – check the ethnic section of your grocery store, mine has collard, turnip, and mustard greens canned. and I found some at Target.
Maureen Robinson says
Hmmm, I had no idea collard greens came in a can! I suspect I’d like that dish, as I’m the kind of person who can eat endless heaps of cooked greens. They are so delicious and healthy!
Shelby says
Designing a restaurant would be so much fun!
Meghan at Making Love In The Kitchen says
I have never cooked (or baked I suppose) with leaveners… or yeast for that matter. I have made sourdough bread from scratch before- leaving my started in the window to collect yeast form the air. That seemed to work 🙂
http://meghantelpnerblog.com/2008/09/21/from-starter-to-finish/
LK- Healthy Delcious says
yum to the gingerbread! I am so jealous of your program.
greens in a can baffle me. I can’t decide if its genius or gross.
Kerri says
I want some warm gingerbread. Sounds delicious.
Nate says
If restaurant design is happening today, does that mean we can hang out tomorrow? I’m confused.
Erika says
That lunch looks fabulous!!! Love that salmon 🙂 And great idea with those collards!!!!!
Meaghen says
You’re so cute and southern! Collards and southern living magazine!!
I’ve never had collards before… what are they like exactly?
Kath says
NO real restaurant for me!!! TOO MUCH WORK! Bakery perhaps someday…
Courtney B.,
PB Loco sounds awesome!!
Heather ,
It’s smoked salmon – so it’s smoked. Literally. You don’t cook it – kind of like eating prosciutto.
Kate + Nate ,
Wish I could, really I do. I’ve been wanting to go for 8 years now… I will go as soon as my classes are over. I have ALL SUMMER!
K
Caroline says
I’m a fan of canned greens too, especially the kinds with no salt added. It probably ends up being cheaper too, considering how much they cook down. Everything looks delicious!