Is the holiday season making you a little bonkers? Are you flying around trying to get “it” all done, whatever “it” is? I am right there with you, people! I’m still getting emails from companies telling me “IT’S NOT TOO LATE!!!!” and I’m really looking forward to the super quiet, next few days when it actually is too late, when all the emails give us a little breaky-break and we can just sit around in slippers and pajamas and drink whatever it is (champagne) that makes us happy and play cards. Or binge watch television. Or all three of those things.
But until then, this pre-holiday craziness is bound to make us all feel a little…..nuts. Meals are eaten on the run, if at all, and last minute gifts to buy and parties to attend all sort of blend together. Speaking of nuts, I’ve personally spent the last two weeks stalking our building’s cleaning lady, who shows up to work at odd hours. I don’t know her name, and that’s kind of a long story, but I’ve been waiting with an envelope of cash inside my front door so I can get it to her before the end of the year. Every time I thought I’d heard a vacuum noise in the hallway, I’d fling open the door, only to find one of our neighbors coming up the stairs, giving me an odd look. Oh, well. Last night I finally found her and was able to give her the gift, so that task is finally checked off Santa’s to-do list. Mission accomplished.
In case you’re feeling extra nutty right now, I’ve rounded up some actual nut flatbread recipes for you to try. Nuts are plentiful during the holidays (I’m not talking about family members!) and they’re usually less expensive at the store right now, sort of like turkeys are the cheapest during Thanksgiving. Not only are nuts good for you, but they’re a delicious source of protein and will give you some energy to push through your holidaze with flying colors.
A little salad never hurt anybody, especially when it actually is a “little” salad. These Chinese chicken salad cups are served in baked flatbread cups that are super easy to throw together for your next potluck party. Almonds add crunch and protein, too. If you’re loving the counter balance of bright and fresh Asian flavors, then try the cashew ginger chicken wrap. It’s a flatbread packed with a gingery crunch and loads of chicken and cashews. Perfect for quick weeknight meals in-between all the parties. And if one of those parties send you home with some roasted turkey, be sure to make this divinely delicious cranberry turkey wrap, and throw a handful of walnuts into the wrap for brain power, one of the things walnuts are known for.
Now I know peanuts aren’t technically nuts, but legumes...still, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include at least one peanut recipe in the mix. Try our new favorite flatbread wrap, the granola crunch apple peanut butter wrap, with juicy apples, the granola of your choice, and a crunchy peanut butter to hold it all together. Or the spicy and savory banana foldit, great for an on-the-run, grab it and go protein fix.
For those of us who need a little extra sweetness in our life to tackle all the nuttiness, may I recommend three of my favorite flatbread desserts? A flatbread brittle made with extra fine espresso, chocolate, and hazelnuts, or a guilt-free frozen yogurt bite, dipped in chocolate and rolled in chopped pistachios? (They’re fab.) Or maybe the most gorgeous flatbread dessert of them all: a dark chocolate flatbread bark with pomegranate seeds and walnuts. Talk about anti-oxidant overdrive! One bite and you’ll be able to conquer the whole world, nuts and all.
Which reminds me of my favorite little poem, I read many years ago in an old copy of an Archie comic book: “No matter if your grades are low, or if your rewards are few; just remember that the mighty oak was once a nut like you!”
Especially now, but not for long. We’ll have our weekend to relax and regroup. Stay strong, mighty oaks, and have the happiest of holidays!
-Amy at Flatout
