If you’re like me, always looking
for ways to sneak greens into your diet, here a great way to do it that at the
same time helps to reduce the amount of bread/starch/gluten you may be
eating. It substitutes large
collard leaves as wraps for just about anything you would put into a wrap. Think grilled vegetables and hummus,
egg salad or chicken with avocado and tomatoes, beans and rice with salsa or
any combination you can come up with.
The other day, after making a red quinoa with onions and beets, I decided to try it as a filling for collard
wraps. To make it more “sticky” so
that it wouldn’t spill out while eating it, I combined it with roasted, mashed
butternut squash and avocado. The
combination was unexpectedly great and the best part was that I was able to
prepare a few the night before a trip and they made a great late breakfast the
next morning. I simply wrapped
them in wax paper, put them in a sealable bag and packed them in my backpack.
This wrap combines a complete
source of protein, fiber, a nice variety of carotenoids from the colorful
vegetables, and a healthy source of fat. To give them a bit of a kick, add some Tabasco, a
splash of chili sauce. Give them a
try.
Collard and Quinoa Wraps
Several Collard Leaves
Roasted butternut squash
Mashed or sliced avocado
Tabasco or Chili sauce (optional)
Wash and briefly steam the
collard leaves. Tip: To save time and having to wash an
extra pan, if you’re preparing a grain or bean mixture in a large frying
pan/Dutch oven, place the leaves on top and cover the pan for a few
minutes. Any leftover steamed
leaves can be placed in an airtight container in the fridge for filling later.
Allow the leaves to cool and
remove the tough bottom stems.
Working with one at a time, place the leaf down sideways on a working
surface. Place a small serving of
squash on the center of the leaf, leaving plenty of room around all the
edges.
Spoon a tablespoon of
quinoa on top of the squash, pressing it down a bit.
Add a slice of avocado onto the mixture and a splash of the
sauce if desired.
Fold the top and bottom of the
leaves in toward the center, then fold up one side and roll towards the free
end to seal the wrap. Enjoy
immediately, or if packing for lunch, wrap a few tightly in wax paper and place in a ziploc bag, or place in a sealable container. Refrigerate until
ready to eat.
It seems great!
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