Arugula & Feta: Two Ways

Happy MLK Day! If you’ve been following my blog for any length of time, you’ll know that I only very recently came into a job (which I’m loving by the way!). Which is why Ross and I thought it was rather ironic this morning when I was leaving to go to work and he was staying behind (he’s a teacher, no work for him today). Quite the reversal!

Anyway, I don’t know about y’all but sometimes when I go grocery shopping I’ll purchase one or two “special” ingredients, that are just things a little different than the norm. This week my special ingredients were arugala and feta cheese. You saw both featured in my Grilled Portabella Pumpernickle Panini Saturday night. I also included these two star ingredients in last night’s meal and tonight’s salad as well.

Polenta with Arugala and Portabella

To prepare the polenta, just remember the 4:1 liquid to cornmeal ratio. I boiled 2 cups water, then gradually whisked in 1/2 c. cornmeal. For added flavor I added a little kosher salt, oregano, pepper, and 1/4 c. plain nonfat yogurt.

I topped one serving (I made 4 so we’d have leftovers for lunch) with a handful of arugula, 1 lightly sauteed portabella mushroom, and 1/2 oz. of reduced fat feta cheese.

For some added volume at dinner we also had a bunch of steamed veggies and a small glass of white zin.

Fresh, Fruity, Feta Chicken Salad!

Tonight’s dinner was a light and refreshing fruity, feta, chicken salad!

I marinated boneless skinless chicken breast in balsamic vinegar, poultry seasoning, pepper, garlic powder, and kosher salt while my George Foreman was heating up. I then grilled the chicken until the inner temperature reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit (I don’t go by the light on the George Foreman, it always makes the chicken over-done).

I then arranged our plates with romaine and arugula, blood orange slices, cucumber slices, strawberry slices, reduced fat feta cheese crumbles, and half a chicken breast per salad. Served with a tall glass of water and a slice of cuban bread I picked up on my way home from work.

Are you a fan of fruit in green salads or no?

Oh, I can’t forget to mention the delicious dessert I had tonight! I think Ross wanted to have a sweet surprise for me when I got home from work, especially since he had the whole day off! So in addition to a little bit of tidying up the apartment, he also picked up this ice cream.

And you know, since I know my ice cream is so interesting I went back and got another spoonful right now, just to give you a close up of the goodness. You know, for blogging purposes.

Yummmm. Usually when it comes to ice cream I’m all about everything chocolate. But this? This is simply wonderful, divine, heavenly, nirvana…you know. It’s a darn good thing I’m not sitting at home unemployed anymore, I think I’d have a hard time not thinking about this ice cream during the day!

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday tomorrow!! Stay tuned for a Peanut Chocolate Oatie recipe tomorrow! Or maybe I should dub it Peanut Chocolate Obama Oatie in honor of Inauguration Day tomorrow?