What's for lunch 12/18/12

SOUVLAKI PLATE
Marinated Chicken with sweet peppers and onions
in a warm pita with Tzatiziki sauce
Corn Cobettes
Fresh Fruit 

The chicken is a USDA commodity food from Tyson.  I am assuming it is the same types of strips they use in the fajita just seasoned with other things.  The pita is whole wheat and the Tzatiziki sauce is homemade with yogurt.  I don't have a lot of details on this meal and need to do some investigating.  

Although this is a popular dish with the Middle Schooler's, I am not a fan of any chicken from the government.  The USDA that is. So, I would opt for the salad bar or even the sandwich bar.  


Looking for an easy meal to make for dinner.  Try Lentil sloppy joes.  They are GF without the roll. Dairy free ? Skip the cheese. 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small carrot, finely chopped
• 1/2 bell pepper (red or green), finely chopped
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 8 ounces ground beef
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 6 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted
• 6 slices cheddar cheese
• Sliced pickles and/or pickled jalapeno peppers, for topping (optional)
• Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrot, bell pepper and 2 tablespoons ketchup and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are slightly soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the lentils, oregano and 4 cups water; bring to a boil and cook 5 minutes, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer until the lentils are tender and the water is absorbed, 35 to 40 minutes (add up to 1 more cup water if necessary). Season with salt and pepper.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until it begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and the remaining 6 tablespoons ketchup and cook, stirring, until combined. Add the lentil mixture and 1 cup water and cook, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are soft and the mixture thickens, about 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

Fill the buns with the cheese and lentil mixture. Top with pickles and/or pickled jalapenos.