LAUREN BOGGI'S BASIC COLLARD WRAP
Whether you're crunched for time, can't bring anything to the dinner table (literally, not figuratively), are trying to ditch the bread, or can't eat another salad...collard greens to the rescue! I've always turned to collard greens when preparing healthy "sandwiches" for myself and others; they were a favorite offering in my healthy, to-go foods line.
Substitute collards for bread or your traditional wrap, and you'll most likely feel lighter, healthier, and became leaner. I've watched people lose 10-20 lbs. from simply making the swap. Anything you have in your fridge can be wrapped inside and made into an easy, to-go meal.
Whatever I end up putting inside, I like to start with a great base that will hold the ingredients together, marry the flavors, and give the wrap some heft, like hummus or smashed avocado; hummus adding protein and avocado giving you some healthy fat for brain power.
Then, I'll layer in some crunchy veggies for texture and I always add a little quinoa (2 tablespoons) and nutritional yeast for a little protein. I love the creaminess, the crunch, and the subtle texture from the veggies and quinoa.
There are so many ways you can stuff these things, so have fun creating your own combos. Some of my favorites are steak and mushroom, chicken and pesto or chicken and peanut sauce, avocado and quinoa, tuna salad, chickpea salad, egg salad, turkey & cheese, the list goes on and on.
BASIC COLLARD WRAP
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
• 4 collard leaves
• 1/2 cup hummus, divided
• 1/2 cup cooked quinoa, divided
• veggies for topping (cucumber, pepper, carrot, tomato, etc.)
Instructions:
Rinse and dry your collard leaves, then cut off the large stem at the bottom. You can also shave off the thicker part that goes up into the leaf so it’s easier to wrap. Lay collard down stem side up. Spread 2 tablespoons of hummus in the center of each leaf, then top with 2 tablespoons of quinoa and desired veggies. To wrap, turn the collard so the stem and hummus-veggie pile is perpendicular to your body. Fold in the sides, fold the side closest to you over the veggies, then continue rolling until everything is nice and snug inside. Slice in half on the diagonal, or eat as is.