Protein Packer

Posted byLori Posted onFebruary 1, 2011 Comments20

I lift weights, therefore I need protein. And I need more than the plain can-o-tuna, chicken breast, or deli meat. Yep, I need variety if I’m going to be eating my weight in protein.

I’m not in a terribly creative mood, so today you get to be blessed with just a few of my higher protein meals. Three to be exact.

Thick Tofu Sauce with kabocha

Adapted from this recipe, which I adapted from this recipe, Thick Tofu Sauce (nope, I couldn’t think of any better ‘a name.

Thick Tofu Sauce

  • Approx. 1 cup tofu (more or less won’t make much difference)
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 4 tbsp white onions or shallots
  • 1/2 cup water (may have to add more or less depending on consistency)
  • 1/2 tbsp yacon syrup (or 1 date)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp thyme
  • 1 tbsp miso paste (optional but delicious)
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

Place all ingredients into blender. Blend until creamy and delicious. Taste and adjust to your liking.

Smear on any food item you desire. It’s good. 🙂

Next up..

Any guesses?

Yeah, it’s probably what you think it is…

That, my friends, is Steak Tartar. My FAVORITE dish.

Steak Tartar at home

This recipe makes a lot, approximately 4 servings

  • 1 lb of sirloin steak or London broil
  • 1/2 white onion, finely chopped, about 1/2 cup
  • 1 egg, or 2 egg yokes
  • salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

Important note: Make sure to buy a high quality, extremely lean meat, from a trusted butcher. You may want to mention it’s purpose, so they give you the freshest and highest quality cut of meat.

Best prep method is to grind your own meat, at home. With ground meat, combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly with a fork to keep ingredients from getting mushy.

Spread on bread or crackers. And yes, this may sound like an odd dish, full of all the rule breaking of cooking. Go to any high-end restaurant and it’ll be on the menu. And probably better and fresher when made at home. It’s seriously delicious eats.

There is are a lot of variations to this dish. The Arabic side of the meal includes the raw meat mixed with hot water and bulghur, spices, and topped with a fried egg. Again, seriously delicious eats here. (I cannot remember the name so if you know it, leave a comment- Mama Samaan, that’s you.)

Moving on…

Even though I’m eating very low sugars and higher protein meals, does not mean I’m skipping dessert. Seriously, why would you?

Pumpkin-Yogurt Parfait?

Protein Pumpkin Yogurt?

Whatever you call it, it includes: Protein powder (any flavor or kind), pureed fresh or canned pumpkin, Greek yogurt, Stevia, cinnamon, and a glob of almond butter.

I need my dessert. And this works just fine. 🙂

Other wonderful, protein packed, nutritious, and easy dishes I’ve been munchin’ on include:

  • April’s recipe for (ok, all of her recipes are good) Protein Cakes
  • Alex’s Grain-Free Bitter Chocolate Cake for One
  • Any and all of Alisa‘s suggestions here

Get you’re protein in because tomorrow we’re working out with TRX, baby!

What are you’re favorite go-to meals?

Any protein packin’ food ideas?

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20 People reacted on this

  1. Thick tofu sauce – amazing idea! I can foresee many veggies enjoying this accompaniment! 🙂

  2. I’ve never thought to make steak tartar! The egg is just for topping, not mixing in right?

    My favorite go-to meals are boring … and I rarely get to have them because of the husband. I love things like peanut sauce with rice or udon, loads of veggies, and some chicken. Stir fries, etc. My cravings are always for Asian food.

  3. I eat tons of egg whites, boring I know! But I make them in lots of yummy interesting ways so it’s really not 🙂 That tofu spread looks super delicious. I also make a protein cake that I love, I mix it up and bring it to work to microwave, I get strange looks but people are getting used to my “weird” food ways.

  4. Thanks for the comment on my blog!
    I love all those high protein recipes (especially the pumpkin parfait-yum!). There are definitely some days where I could use a little more protein, and all these ideas look wonderful. 🙂

  5. Can’t get on board with the raw steak, but props to you for doing it. 🙂
    I like good ol’ eggs for protein. My go-to meal for the whole family is pasta, but I bet that skeeves you out with all the carbs and all. What can I say? It’s family friendly!

  6. haha, I totally “need” dessert, too! I’m an addict! I try to have stuff like fruits, etc., but this is such a great way to have dessert actually contain protein, too!!!

  7. raw steak? wow! i am skeptical, but I think i would try it! nice protein eats. i love the pumpkin dessert. i will have to make that. probably tonight because i am running out of ideas. stuck in a rut with protein cookie dough and shakes. =P

    have fun with the TRX! my gym might be getting some. i hope they do! i love a challenging workout, and those would be awesome to do abs on. tomorrow is my rest day. i did my first day of New Rules of Lifting for Women. Love it! I will do a workout recap on my blog soon. 🙂

  8. Ah yum!! Your thick tofu sauce looks so good! I really do need to get my hands on some nutritional yeast… Oh but I had literally the exact pumpkin/greek yogurt bowl last night for a prebedtime snack! Mine had pumpkin, greek yog., almond butter, almonds, honey and some kashi cereal..so good! I’m seriously Loving your blog!

  9. Love all the protein going on!! I too have been adding more protein and am trying to tone down the grains and carbs a bit as it was a little too much for me.
    I love that parfait..great alternative to more sugary desserts:)
    I’ve read about the TRX and they sound super fun!!

  10. I just roasted the first kabocha I’ve had in forever. Made it into some kabocha tofu pudding (kabocha, silken tofu, cocoa powder, stevia). That was dessert for lunch. YUM.

    I snack on hard boiled eggs constantly. I go through a lot of eggs. I shld probably have my own chickens. 🙂

  11. “seriously, why would you?”

    hah! i completely agree! i used to not allow myself to eat dessert despite my MASSIVE sweet tooth because i labeled it “bad”. um, what? i have since learned and eat dessert every night 🙂 (seriously. every night.) though, i have to say — it helps that i don’t eat sugar. my dessert are still pretty sweet though!!! loooove alex’s grain free bitter chocolate cake for one. i only eat 100% dark chocolate (i know, i’m weird. but it’s so good!) so that is super tasty!

    as for protein, my favorite go-tos are beans, quinoa and other seeds, and veggies. tofu sometimes. and the next time tofu comes into my life, imma make your sauce! looks deliiiicious!

    have a great day, lori 🙂

  12. My favorite protein is eggs. Seriously, they are the best! But I also love all kinds of nutbutters because they are easy to spread and have a good amount of protein. Chicken salad (using hummus as mayo) is also great and full of protein!

    I am so glad you are likin the bitter chocolate cake 😉

  13. That’s certainly a lot of protein. I’ve been trying to up my protein intake, too. I’ve been using more rice, hemp and pea protein powders, and including some cooked proteins like beans and quinoa. I’m still one the fence when it comes to tofu. I’ve had it a few times while out and about. I’m still not sure of how it affects my hormones.

  14. The tofu sauce looks wonderful, I need to try using it in a sauce. Agreed on protein, I love adding protein powders to desserts, smoothies, spreads and even popcorn. My favorite protein go to is tempeh with a creamy hemp seed sauce.

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