Lunch: The Forgotten Meal that Just Got a Serious Upgrade

I guess at some point we needed a lunch post, however, Ladies Who Lunch sounds a little passé. Maybe I should do a Bitches Who Brunch? Either way, lunch tends to be the redheaded stepchild in most people's recipe file. However, I'm a huge fan. My biggest rule: make it simple, quick, and delicious. One of my most recent cookbook obsessions is The Sprouted Kitchen. Go buy it. It's full of food porn that's fresh, with no frills, and everything always tastes great. When it comes to lunch, I like to make recipes that don't weigh you down afterward but are still satisfying. The worst is having a food coma hit halfway through your day. This go-to menu is the perfect balance, in my opinion, of all things lunch-worthy: Crab Salad, House Salad, and Chocolate Chip Cookies (once you try this recipe from Alex Hitz, I swear, you will never try another chocolate chip one again)

The House Salad, from The Sprouted Kitchen

This salad is as charmingly simple and straightforward as it appears. You could likely just copy it without a recipe. The point I do want to stress, however, is the necessity of making your own salad dressings. There is all sorts of junk in store-bought dressings and they don't taste nearly as fresh—not to mention that it's ridiculously easy to whisk a few things together or put them in a mini blender. This particular dressing hovers around the vinaigrette family, with just enough crème fraîche to coat the leaves with the thinnest amount of creaminess. Be sure your leaves are cleaned and fully dry so the dressing can cling on. The recipe yields enough for the given salads, but I typically double it so I have extra on hand. Here's the full recipe. 

Crab Salad

 The next day I like to take the leftovers and make a crab salad-inspired lobster roll. Add a little extra celery, mayo, and lemon juice and serve on a warm, toasted roll and it's insane! Here's the full recipe. 

Chocolate Chip Cookies, My Beverly Hills Kitchen

You can go an entire lifetime searching for the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe, and believe me, I've been on the road to buttery, cocoa bliss for a while and I'm happy to say my journey is over after finding this jewel. These cookies are paper thin, which normally is a turnoff, because thin usually equals crispy. And the edges on these get perfectly crisp but the center stays so soft and chewy. You will never disappoint with this recipe. Another fav is his Billionaire's Meatloaf. So. Freaking. Good.