Happy Meatless Monday! I have lots to cover today so lets go! As you may have heard me mention, I have been participating in the Lorna Jane Fit Challenge the past 2 months and loving it. I’ve been referencing her cookbook, Nourish, and re creating some of her recipes. Her philosophy is one that I truly embrace. Lorna Jane does not believe in “diets” but in nourishing your body from the inside by eating whole, healthy foods. That’s certainly a way of life that I am on board with. I’ve noticed I tend to turn to much of the same veggies week after week. What the Nourish book has done for me is encourage me to branch out and try new veggies. So this week, my new veggie is Collard Leaves. Sure I’ve had Collard greens before in soups and stews but never the raw, whole leaves.
I adopted my recipe today from the Nourish book and created a Spicy Tofu Veggie Collard Wrap. Surprisingly, Collard Leaves were easy to find right in my local grocery store. They don’t take any prep at all and can be transformed into a wrap in seconds. Collards are a nutritional powerhouse (see here) high in fiber, folates, Vitamins C, A & K as well as sources of calcium and Iron. Need I say more?
Nourish With Tofu Veggie Collard Wraps
Recipe Type: Lunch or Dinner
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
An easy healthy way to ‘wrap up your lunch”
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of Collard leaves- washed, dried & kept whole
- 1 package of tofu-drained and cut into strips
- 1 cucumber-peeled and cut into strips
- 1 Red pepper-cleaned and cute into strips
- Micro greens or alfalfa sprouts
- cherry tomatoes
- balsamic vinegar drizzle
- 2 tbl spoons Harissa mixed with 3 tbl water
Instructions
- Saute tofu in Harissa/water until warmed and brown about 5 m
- Place collard leaves on counter to assemble as you would any “wrap”
- Fill with tofu, cucumber, pepper, greens
- Roll up leaves
- Drizzle with Balsamic and serve atop grain of your choice
Literally took just a few minutes to wrap this up. It would be a perfect take along lunch or healthy dinner. The stuffing combinations are endless. I also made them without tofu and used hummus for the protein. I’m kind of obsessed with them now! Hope you give them a go.
Tina and I are looking forward to all the great recipes you will share with us this week! Hope you will take the opportunity to visit some great blogs below.
Hope you will be joining me and 9 of my favorite blogger friends for our April “Rock Your Core” Challenge. It’s going to be huge! Look for all the details here tomorrow-challenge starts Wednesday hope to see you there. #RockYourCore
ooooh I have never made collard wraps, but have always wanted to. This sounds good! Rock your core sounds like fun to me….just not ready to try anything new before the race, but I will support you 🙂
Tina Muir recently posted…Meatless Monday- Healthy Mexican Pizza
I had never tried them either but they are really good and very easy to make. So healthy too. I am excited for Rock Your Core thanks! And no don’t do anything new before your race. I am really excited for you!!
This looks like something I’d find eating at rawlicious!(http://thefitty.com/2015/03/18/rawlicious-chipotle-restaurant-visits-wiaw-13/)
I’d want to try this but maybe instead of collard greens I’d just use iceberg lettuce. I’m way too lazy to dry food after washing them! And iceberg lettuce leaves are generally clean already. 🙂
Linda @ The Fitty recently posted…Chiptole Interviews, Abuse From “Dad” + Life Latelys
you could really use any lettuce however honestly ice berg doesn’t have much nutritional value or fiber. Hope you give them a try and let me know what you think! Have a great day
How great do these collard wraps look! I need to make these to get some more raw leafy greens into my diet <3
Kyra @ Vie De La Vegan recently posted…Vegan “Milk” Chocolate Easter Eggs
I am so glad that I discovered them! They are really really good
I’ve never used collards. Are they similar to kale?
They are more like a cabbage flavor. I thought they would be bitter but surprisingly pretty mild. Check them out and let me know what you think.
Wait, you can just use plan collard leaves? They aren’t too tough?
Coco (@Got2Run4Me) recently posted…Planning For National Walking Day 2015
Yes! It’s crazy. I had seen them around and was afraid to use them but surprisingly they are really good and not bitter or tough at all. I “massaged” the stem with my thumb to soften it up a bit before stuffing. We really should cook together for one of our coffee dates! Maybe this summer?
These look SO good! I love the use of tofu here and the collards. Like I said last week, I don’t eat those enough. Thanks for the recipe!
Meg Bollenback recently posted…Open-Faced Egg Salad and Radish Sandwiches (Mayo-Free!)
Hope you give it a try! They were good!
Oh, collards. Taking me back to the south (where the collards are certainly no vegetarian!)
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Allergies, Shamrock Shuffle, and Exclusive Discount Codes!
ha ha no they are usually not which is prob why I never really tried them in a restaurant. These were way better than I thought they would be.
Yum!!! I’ll have to try this. Sounds delish!
I laughed at Susie’s comment above because half the time I can’t order collards out because they are laced with bacon! haha!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Strength
I know me too! I think that’s why I’ve never tried them. They always have bacon in a restaurant. They don’t need it at all!
I love using Collard wraps! sheesh, totally forgot about those. YUM! must go get now! thanks deb!
It was my first time-I love them!
Aren’t collard wraps just amazing. Love the thought of this with hummus. Oh I swoon!! I’m obsessed with them as well and need to pick up some organic collards to get wrapping!!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors recently posted…Fool Yourself Full with Pistachios
really enjoyed them much more than I expected!
Mmm love collard wraps and that balsamic drizzle sounds amazing! I will be for sure joining you for the challenge! My abs could use a little work after this Winter 😉
Annmarie recently posted…Meatless Monday: Spicy Baked Avocado Fries with Honey Lime Dipping Sauce
Oh I think we all can! See you there 🙂
so we all know collard greens are popular in the south but you know they cook the heck out of things down here but needless to say they don’t taste good 🙁 Raw maybe? Are they better? Not bitter? You have peaked my interest!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…Logging in some miles this weekend!
I thought they would be bitter but no they were not.I “massaged” the stem a little to soften it up but that’s it. I never had the before bc as you say in the south they cook them pretty unhealthy with bacon. Hope you try them!
I have used Romaine and other leafy lettuce ( not iceburg – ick) as a wrap but never other greens. I should do this. Collards and other greens are tougher so they probably hold up better!
Mary Long recently posted…Friday’s 5 – It’s SPRING!
They do hold up better esp if you add a sauce or dressing. The romaine always falls apart for me. They were really good 🙂
I’ ve never used collards as a wrap, before! Just when making sauteed collard greens 🙂 looks delish!
Jess @hellotofit recently posted…Monday motivation – we must DO
Thanks it was so good. I really loved them!
I have never eaten collard greens raw but with the spicy tofu it may be a nice compliment.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…Sign Me Up Please
This looks delicious!! I will have to check out the book! I have a couple others I have been eyeing but haven’t purchased yet. I feel like I am lost trying to adjust and tweak my “diet” to work for me craving all the veggies yet trying to branch out and not eating those that aren’t good for my thyroid. Sometimes it is good to branch out.
Sarah recently posted…Mocha To The Max Protein Shake
I LOVE THAT BOOK!!! LJ has so many fantastic recipes. I haven’t tried this one yet, but I think I might have to now!
Salt recently posted…NJ Marathon Training Week 14 Recap
Her photos are great and the recipes all look so good. Give it a try they are yummy 🙂
mmmmm! I have pretty much the same salad every day for lunch. I should switch it up and make something like this instead!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…ANNOUNCING The #RockYourCore Challenge! (for real)
I tend to eat the same thing as well so I am really trying to mix it up.
I have never tried Collards this way before and it looks delicious!! Oh yes – will definitely be making this!
🙂
Natalie recently posted…Weekend Recap
I hadn’t either before this week. I really like them
I’ve never made collard wraps before! I actually am not sure I’ve ever seen one! (Can you tell I’m not in charge of buying the groceries?! haha)
Carmy recently posted…Monday on the Run #20
LOL yes but you would like them!
Collard? I never see that in my local stores. Is it sorta like Swiss Chard?
Elle recently posted…Soggy Sunday Blues… and Pinks and Yellows and Greens
I didn’t think my store had it either until I asked and there it was. Not sure I’ve had swiss chard LOL
I found a place in my neighborhood that offers collard green wraps–so good!
Margo recently posted…Brooklyn Fit Chick News & Notes: @FitBottomedGirl @TapGenes @TerryBikes @RottenBroadway
Wow you guys get all the good stuff first!
Sounds great! I just pinned several tofu recipes I’ll have to add this one!
Ivanna recently posted…There is NO one size fits all ANYTHING!
Thanks!
There should be more meatless days throughout the year! Thanks for this lovely share 🙂
ha I have them everyday!
this looks really interesting, deborah! in other news, super excited about our challenge!
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Cherry Blossom Ten Miler Training Recap Week 4
thanks and me too it’s going to be great!
I’ve never had collard greens. Are they tough like kale? Bitter, sweet?
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Paris Marathon training recap: Week 11
They are a hearty leaf like kale but I did not find them bitter at all. Similar to cabbage. You will have to come over for lunch one day 🙂
I’d love to 🙂
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…Paris Marathon training recap: Week 11
Lets plan it after your race!
I’ve heard of Collard before, but I can’t say I have ever tried them. But I do enjoy a great wrap!!!
Kristy @Runaway Bridal Planner recently posted…Great Week, Crazy Week…
This week was my first time too but I really did enjoy them. Hope you give them a try.
I LOVE veggies! Even though I am doing the Whole30 and lean towards a Paleo diet, I prefer lots of veggies over meat!
Maureen recently posted…Whole30 Days 1-3 {I’m the king of the world}
Me too! My daughter is doing paleo not so compatible with my vegetarian diet 🙂
These look really good! I’ve never tried using collard greens for making wraps! :O
Farrah recently posted…Compassion
It was my first time too and I loved them!
I haven’t made a collard wrap in so long – need to get back into those! I love sandwiches so much though, but recently I’ve been trying to do a sugar detox aka no bread ='(
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…Week 13/52 of Training – 2015
It is hard to give up bread for sure 🙂
yum – I love collard greens!!
Mar @ Mar on the Run recently posted…What’s Next?! Countdown to Pittsburgh Marathon Weekend
I do too now!
Your recipes always look so yummy! But I’d be eating them alone…
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…The 5 R’s of vacation
ha I often do myself shh!
I’ve never tried collard greens either! Time to put on my to-try list. I’ve seen so many people start to use them as wrap replacements. Such a good low carb idea!
Emily @ Zen & Spice recently posted…Spinach Salad with Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette
They are new to me too and I really liked them a lot! They are so healthy 🙂
I try to stay away from soy so tofu is out for me, but this definitely sounds good. Super excited about the April abs challenge though!
GiselleR @ Diary of an ExSloth recently posted…Ginger-Spiced Carrot Bread
You can definitely fill it with anything! Glad you are in for the challenge. Should be fun
Collard leaves are my new go-to for wraps. yum!
jill conyers recently posted…Discover Your Inspiration from Within
I know me too! Can’t believe I never tried them before.
I love collard green wraps, had my first one in Virginia Beach at Fruitive. I have not attmpted to make one at home yet. Your recipe looks great!
Toni @runninglovingliving recently posted…Monday Motivation 3/30/15
Thanks it really is easier to make than you would think. They are good!
I can’t have soy but these look delicious! Ohhh I need a good core challenge count me in! Thanks for the great link up!
Renee @ Bendiful Blog recently posted…Healthy Packed Lunches
You can definitely put just about anything in there!
Does the harissa make these spicy? I love wrapping different foods in lettuce, spinach etc. Now I will have to try collards!
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Oatmeal Blackberry Cacao Muffin Recipe
Yes the harissa is spicy so if you don’t like spicy you can water it down a bit more.
This looks good! I have enver cooked with collard wraps. In fact I don’t think I’ve even seen wraps unless it was just the leafy part of the collard greens??? Doubt my kids would try this but it sounds like something I would eat!
my kids would never eat this either!! I also had never had them before but they are fabulous and I am sure I will be using them all summer.