{"id":9442,"date":"2012-09-10T16:41:28","date_gmt":"2012-09-10T23:41:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.chefmorgan.com\/?p=9442"},"modified":"2012-09-10T17:58:16","modified_gmt":"2012-09-11T00:58:16","slug":"roasted-red-pepper-tuna-puree","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.chefmorgan.com\/engine\/roasted-red-pepper-tuna-puree","title":{"rendered":"a fast food you can run on and dive into: roasted red pepper tuna pur\u00e9e."},"content":{"rendered":"

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a fast food you can run on and dive into:
\n<\/span> roasted red pepper tuna pur\u00e9e. <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

The inspiration for this week\u2019s simple pleasure<\/span> <\/em>is the concept of fast food.<\/span> Food <\/em>provided in a <\/span>fast<\/em> (and inexpensive) way. It is a genius concept created by the American entrepreneurial spirit to meet our desire for immediate gratification. The problem is that what is often \u201cfast\u201d — whether obtained by reaching in our pantry or driving through a drive-thru — is nothing more than empty calories or just plain bad for our health (our waistlines and ultimately our pocketbooks too). Moreover, because we think of food (and it is defined) as a nourishing substance, it begs the question: is <\/span>what<\/span> we are<\/span> getting fast<\/em><\/span> really \u201cfood\u201d ?<\/em>  However, you can have a fast snack or meal that is inexpensive, delicious and<\/em> nourishing and this fast food<\/em>, made with heart-healthy protein, is this week\u2019s simple pleasure:<\/em><\/span> <\/em><\/span>roasted red pepper tuna pur\u00e9e<\/a>. <\/em>\"\"<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

fast food<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/strong>If you have ever shopped while hungry you know that your cart quickly fills with hand to mouth snack foods (often eaten in the car). These are the same boxes and bags we reach for when we get home because we want something quick and the thought of doing anymore than combining two ingredients would take \u201ctoo long.\u201d The same thought compels many people to “order in” or drive through a drive-thru. While boxed snack foods and drive-thru burgers are fast and quash hunger pains for a short time (and even taste good), are they nourishing or just temporary mouth fillers\/long-term belly expanders? I think you know the answer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nFor most of us eliminating the need for \u201cfast\u201d meals is not realistic nor is it realistic to say we will never snack again. Instead, the key is to reach for  foods<\/em> that will provide us with the nutrients, protein and vitamins that we need and satisfy our desire for immediate gratification at the same time. <\/span><\/p>\n

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this week\u2019s <\/span>simple pleasure<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

This week\u2019s simple pleasure<\/span><\/em> is a simple blend of canned tuna, roasted red peppers and tomatoes. It is not only inexpensive (most people have a can of tuna on hand), but it is timely as peppers and tomatoes are at their sweetest now after they have ripened under the summer sun.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This pur\u00e9e is a healthy alternative to dairy or mayonnaise based dips\/spreads that are habitually reached for as a snack and add little benefit to our diet (but lots of calories to our daily intake).<\/span> The pur\u00e9e also provides an easy, creative way to obtain healthy protein <\/em>(canned tuna is certainly better for you than a fried $3.00 hamburger) and can transform simple items you have in your home (i.e., pasta, eggs, sandwiches) into an easy meal. <\/span><\/p>\n

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Here are some examples of this pur\u00e9e’s versatility:<\/span><\/p>\n

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f<\/span>or snacks:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n