Socca with Lamb & Cucumber-Yogurt Sauce

Have you heard of Socca?  I hadn't until maybe last year when I saw it on Fitnessista's blog.  It's basically a pancake made from chickpea flour, and is a popular street food in the south of France.  The recipe I had seen on blogs before was simply equal parts chickpea flour and water.  Didn't sound too exciting but I could see how it would make a great vessel for other foods and flavors.

I had sort of forgotten about Socca since then, but after seeing a beautiful version in my new cookbook, Plenty, I knew it wouldn't be long before I made it.  Plus I've had a bag of chickpea flour in the pantry for a while now anyways so there was really no excuse.

The recipe in the cookbook calls for the Socca to be topped with caramelized onions and oven roasted tomatoes.  I still want to try this version, but the version I wanted to make involved an idea in my head with ground lamb and a refreshing yogurt cucumber sauce.

I used the Socca recipe from Plenty, which had whipped egg whites in the batter along with the chickpea flour and water.  I imagine these are a bit more fluffy than the regular kind without egg whites.

For the toppings, I just sautéed some ground lamb, drained some of the excess fat, and seasoned the meat with salt, cumin, and fresh lemon juice.

For the cucumber-yogurt sauce I combined plain yogurt, chopped cucumber, red onion, fresh dill, fresh parsley, and lemon and let it sit in the fridge while I made the rest of the meal.

Socca
from Plenty: Vibrant Recipes from London's Ottolenghi

• 1 3/4 cups Chickpea Flour
• 2 cups Water
• 1.5 T olive oil
• 2 egg whites
• 3/4 tsp salt
• pepper

Whisk together chickpea flour, water, oil, salt and pepper until smooth.  In another bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks.  Fold egg whites into chickpea batter.

Heat oven to 325.  Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or silpats.  Use a non-stick frying pan with a diameter of about 6” at the bottom.  Brush with olive oil.  Heat to med-high heat, then add in 1/4 of the socca batter.  Just like a regular pancake, bubbles will start to appear on the surface after about 2 minutes.  Use a spatula to loosen around the edges and then flip!  Cook for 1 more minute and transfer to baking sheet.  After all 4 pancakes are cooked, bake for 5 minutes. 

I still need a little practice flipping a big pancake like that, but at least there were no casualties.

 

Cucumber Yogurt Topping

All quantities are approximate, adjust to your liking!

• 1 cup chopped cucumber
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1 6oz container of plain yogurt
• 1 T finely chopped dill
• 1 T finely chopped parsley
• juice from 1/4 lemon
• salt and pepper
  

Mix all together.  Can be made ahead of time.  Chill until ready to use.

 

Lamb
(makes enough for 2 servings, 1 socca pancake each)

• 1/2 lb ground lamb
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• salt & pepper

Assemble like a pizza!  Socca, topped with lamb, topped with cucumber…

Fresh tomato and chunks of feta cheese really brought the meal together.  I loved the saltiness and bite from the feta!  I think crumbled feta would be great mixed in with the cucumbers as well.

It was a little messy to eat.  I tried picking it up like a wrap, and then breaking pieces off, but eventually a knife and fork was the weapon of choice.

This was a great change from the usual dinners, and both Brian and I loved the flavors...we both love lamb so always looking for new ways to work it into the repertoire.

We had leftover Socca pancakes that were great

Plus the possibilities for the leftover socca pancakes were endless!  I used one as a “wrap” for a sandwich later in the week!

Try anything new-to-you lately??

Freezing 5K & Glazed Gingerbread

‘Tis the season for a busy schedule and when I had my first chance to rest all week yesterday afternoon the last thing I wanted to do was blog…no really, 4 hours at the mall yesterday afternoon = exhausted.

Anyways, at least the 4 hours were productive!  I’m 93% done shopping, but still need a few things.  I also realized I wish I had more kids to buy for!!  Kids stuff is WAY more fun.  Like this thing I saw at the Learning Express…almost just bought it for myself ;)

How cool is that!?  Ok that’s my geeky side coming out, but I’m an engineer I can’t help it.

I’m grateful I had yesterday afternoon to basically just rest because we had to get up for a CHILLY 5k this morning!! 

All December people around here have been amazed at the mild weather, and I get the urge to punch someone when they “complain” that it “doesn't feel like December”…seriously?  Enjoy it!  Because it will come back to bite you, like today!  Easily the coldest day we’ve had this season, and me and hundreds of my closest friends had to fun a 5k! 

(like my elf tights??  I LOVE them!)

Actually there were two 5K’s this morning.  The jingle bell run in Davis Square, and the Yulefest 5K in Harvard Sq!

I ran the Yulefest!  They were the ones who hosted that really fun Oktoberfest 5k earlier this fall!

Once again this one was 21+ with a block party following the race with beer sponsors: Pretty Things, Notch Session, and Peak Organic, and also Clover Food Lab.

It was just hovering over 20 degrees at 10AM when the race began, and this very well might have been my coldest run ever!  Brrr.  You know it’s bad when the water at the water station was frozen!

Regardless, we ran slow had fun and saw some great costumes…like the guy dressed at Santa riding an ostrich!!  Hahaa.

(took that from the Cambridge5k facebook page)

How do you run in that?!

Anyways, after have a beer, thawing our tight and frozen muscles in the car, grocery shopping (yes I wore the tights…got lots of weird looks…and think little kids thought I was really an elf), we made it home to relax all afternoon…heaven!

Even had time to make a nice dinner AND bake!!

For some reason I was in the mood for gingerbread, but also a healthy version I could enjoy for breakfast this week.

 

Whole Wheat Gingerbread with Yogurt Glaze

• 2 cups White Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup unrefined sugar of choice
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground clove
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1 egg + 1 egg white
• 1 cup applesauce
• 1/4 non-fat Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 cup skim milk

Preheat oven to 350, and spray a loaf pan with canola oil spray

In a medium/large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients (flours through to all spice).  Whisk to combine.

Beat egg and egg white in a small mixing bowl.  Add in applesauce, yogurt, molasses, canola oil, and skim milk. (TIP: spray your measuring cup with canola oil spray before measuring out molasses.  It will easily slide into the bowl instead of sticking to the measuring cup).

Add wet ingredients to dry, and gently mix with a spatula or wooden spoon just until combined. 

Fill pan about 2/3 to the top.  Bake for 45-50 minutes. 

Let cool for 10min, then remove from pan and continue to cool for another 30min or so.  Then glaze the bread!  The glaze is definitely optional…it’s great without it too.

Yogurt Glaze:

• 1/3 cup non-fat Greek Yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 Tbsp skim milk
• 1/4 cup confectioners sugar

Whisk all ingredients until smooth. Keep refrigerated until bread has cooled slightly (it can still be a little warm).  Drizzle over loaf!

Lemon option: replace milk and vanilla with 2-3T fresh lemon juice. 

It’s also REALLY good with the Trader Joe’s Cookie Butter (aka their version of Biscoff spread).     

(source)

I love love love having a delicious yet healthy baked good with my morning coffee.  Much less sweet and heavy than anything you pick up at a bakery. 

Last week before Christmas!!  What do you need to get done this week??  I’m going to see the Nutcracker one night, getting to Crossfit at least 2x this week, and finishing my shopping somewhere in between all that and work. 

Yoga + Yogurt

Happy Friday!!

A couple weeks ago I was invited to an event hosted by the wonderful folks at Stonyfield called “Fueled by Organic”.  It was a quick mid-work day event at Equinox gym in the Back Bay, and luckily I was able to just leave work for a couple hours and come back.  Equinox was a very quick T-ride away!  The event consisted of a 45min yoga class followed by an organic nutrition discussion and a sample of Stonyfield yogurt :)  Sounded like the perfect afternoon escape to me.

As much as I love Stonyfield, I was just as excited to step foot in Equinox!  I don’t know if you’ve heard of Equinox gyms before but they are the NICEST (and also $$$) gyms around!  At least in Boston, but I know they are elsewhere around the country.  I was also told each attendee would receive a free 1-week pass!!  I didn’t want to miss out on that!  I’ll be sure to keep you updated when I use my free pass.

(sorry for the blurry pic, it was a dark room and I had my iphone)

I arrived, changed, and headed into the dimly lit yoga studio where most everyone was already there on their mats.

It was a really great 45-min class!  The room was slightly warm, not like “hot yoga'” but I’m thinking they just keep the yoga room on the warm side.  I would definitely call it more of a power yoga, we did some challenging strength poses, and some I had never done before!  I was sweating after 45 min :)

After yoga, we headed to another on of their fitness studios for yogurt and the nutrition talk.

This was another nice large fitness room.  Can’t wait to take some classes here!

Especially whatever class involves these:
;)

I headed over to the table with the bucket-o-yogurt to choose from

And headed to a mat with my vanilla Oikos (one of my fav’s!)

Mary Kennedy,a  Stonyfield Nutritionist, gave us a quick talk/presentation about the importance of properly fueling before and after workouts.  I thought I knew a good amount on this subject but there was definitely a lot to be learned from here and I’m really glad I took notes so that I could share…

I’ll give my notes in bullet form, and please note that most all of this information is relative to people who are generally active (workout regularly) or athletes.

• For an active person a general rule for the # of calories you should consume is your weight X 20! 
• This seemed a lot to me, but at the same time I do not consider myself very active.  I have my weeks, and do try to workout regularly but it just doesn’t always happen.  This would be good to remember though if, for say, you were in the thick of training for a long distance race or other endurance event!
• Of these calories, 60-70% should come from carbs, 25-35% from fat, and 10-18% from protein.
• Mary said that most people thing protein is the big important thing you should be getting a lot of, but for an active person it’s CARBS that are on top!
• Protein is the LEAST efficient fuel for your body.
• Carbs refuel!  Protein helps muscle repair.
• HYDRATE!!  Not drinking enough water and keeping properly hydrated can really drag down your energy and make you feel sluggish.  Even a deficiency of 2% of your body weight can make you feel a difference.
• Aim for your body weight / 2 for the # of ounces per day you should be drinking of water.
• And not to be gross, but I think most of us know how to tell when we’re not getting enough hydration – color of your urine.   You want it to be clear.
• Plan ahead to fuel up.  This means getting fueled before a workout!  You need to eat something before a workout, but also should leave time to digest!
• For me, when I have a run or other strenuous workout planned for the morning,  I need to wake up with enough time to eat, and then digest.
• This is another place where carbs win! 
• on an empty stomach, carbs take 1-2 hrs to digest, where as higher fat items can take 6-7 hrs to digest!! 
• Of course this depends on exercise intensity.  You should fuel accordingly. 
• If you keep a food journal, it would be a great idea to add your workouts!  This way you can see if you are fueling properly before and after.
• The best POST workout re-fuel is something high-carb with a little protein. (like yogurt!)
• If nothing else, Mary said you should have something small with carbs within 30 minutes after your workout.  Even just a glass of juice. 
• I actually never knew the 30 min rule!  But now I will try to make a more conscious effort.
• You want an energy balance: Calories in = total energy expenditure.
• In instances with high exercise, like marathon training, women are the ones who tend to gain weight (and men tend to lose…so nor fair)
• This is because a lot of people tend to over-compensate when they all of a sudden start working out more than normal and at a higher intensity.
• Think QUALITY food = fuel!
• No energy in a bottle!!  We’re talking protein shakes, energy drinks…etc.
• You can get the best fuel for your body from the food that the earth makes!  REAL food!!
• This is where organic becomes important.
• organic = less junk!
• The last thing our bodies needs are pesticides and GMOs (genetically modified organisms….eww)
• Lastly she touched on the confusion some people can have with labels.  Organic does NOT equal natural!  So many packaged foods these days claim to be “all natural” but according to the FDA guidelines this doesn’t really mean much and can still have pesticides and GMO’s. 
• read the ingredients folks! 

A lot of this I knew, and I’m sure you do too, but sometimes it’s just good to get a refresher and maybe even learn something you didn’t know!      

I had a lovely break from work that afternoon: yoga class, yogurt, nutrition talk, and getting to see these ladies!

Elizabeth, Me, Tina, Elina, and Sarah!

But want to know the BEST part of that day??  In addition to a fun swag bag we all received with our 1-week passes, they pulled a name to receive a special gift: a fun cooler bag with some great stuff inside AND a 1-MONTH pass to Equinox….and I WON!!!!  I was SO pumped!  I seriously can’t wait to cash in on that month and week!  

Thank you Stonyfield and Equinox!  Stonyfield always puts on really great informative events, and I always feel lucky to attend.  This was no different. 

Zo Boston and Fall Preview

Good Morning!  It’s a dreary, rainy, yet relaxing morning around here.  Perfect time for a weekly recap post of sorts.

First, a new work-day lunch finding!  I’m sure I’ll be posting all about these “new” (to me) fun places, and you’ll be thinking …where have you been, these aren’t exactly new!

Even though I’ve lived in the Boston/Greater Boston area my entire life, there are certain place in the city that are ONLY open on weekdays, and sometimes with limited hours catering only to the people with your standard Mon-Fri, 8-5 job.

This is most definitely the case with my latest finding: Zo.  I saw the ridiculously good reviews on Yelp so I was confident that this would be a good choice.

Zo is a small take-out restaurant at 3 Center Plaza in Boston, serving delicious Greek cuisine.  Their short but crowd-pleasing menu makes for long but fast lines, and super fresh delicious food!

They are also ONLY open from 11am-3pm Mon-Friday!  You know the food must be good when a place can thrive on being open only 20 hours a week!

Line out the door when I arrived:

 
Not to worry, the line went FAST! 

As it was my first time, I had to go with the classic Gyro.

Once I had that warm Gyro in my hands, I couldn’t even wait the 10min walk back to the office.  Plus it was a gorgeous day, so I sat on a ledge nearby and chowed down.

This did NOT disappoint!  Warm fresh pita filled with lean rotisserie pork, tomatoes, onion, and tzatziki sauce!

Simply amazing…I ate the whole thing.

That same day, I noticed a farmers market going on across the street at Gov’t Center.  

I walked through and was excited to see some Paula Red apples out!!!  I CAN NOT WAIT FOR APPLE SEASON!!

I love Paula Red’s…nice and tart!  I think I’m going to be buying a lot more of these.

Beer.

Pumpkin Beer!

It’s not that I want summer to be over…I don’t.  BUT I can’t WAIT for Fall!!!

First of the season.  Really liked this one!

Picked this up at the Craft Beer Cellar in Belmont.  I love this place because you can just buy ONE bottle out of a six-pack.  Great to try lots of different varieties.    

Another Fall-ish food came in cookie form.

Recently I had ordered the “C’Ville Bundle” from Kath’s Open Sky store.  I really wanted to try those C’Ville Clusters (which were amazing btw), but the package also came with some pancake and oatmeal mixes.

When Brian first saw this bag, he immediately thought it was cookie mix ;)   That got me thinking, because I didn’t think I’d get around to eating the whole bag as oatmeal.

So I winged it and made Oatmeal Raisin Cookies!

Minus two 1/2 cup servings I took out to try as oatmeal sometime, to the rest of the mix I added:

• 2 T maple syrup
• 1/4 cup apple sauce
• 2 T melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Mixed all together, spooned batter onto pan, baked at 350 for 8-9 min. 

They came out AWESOME!  Not as dense as a typical oatmeal raisin cookie, but still chewy, soft, and the flavor was dead on.

So to wrap up this totally random Sunday post, I give you breakfast:

Open faced egg sandwich with:

• 1 egg
• few shakes of Tabasco while cooking
• fresh basil added while cooking 
• cheddar
• sliced garden tomato

Side of:

• Non-fat plain Greek yogurt
• homemade blueberry sauce
• coconut
• sliced almonds

 

Iced Latte…obvi

SO good.   

4-hour dance rehearsal this afternoon, then picking up a few groceries before I get back to relaxing for the rest of the night :)

Anyone else getting excited for Fall yet????

Giveaway – Your Favorite Takeout!

Happy Long Weekend!

I love this weather! It’s finally FINALLY feeling like summer. I guess technically it’s not summer yet, but it’s Memorial Day weekend and for most people this is the unofficial start of summer :)

I’m going to be ringing in the holiday weekend with my first HALF MARATHON!!!

I can’t believe it’s tomorrow!! Brian and I are heading down to Boston shortly to pick up our race packets and check out the expo :)

I’m actually really glad the race starts at 8am tomorrow morning, because the weather’s only JUST warmed up so most of our long runs have been in much cooler weather…I hope it doesn't screw us up too much.

This week I’ve drank a lot of these…

Mmmm homemade iced lattes. Look how cool the milk looks combining with the espresso and ice!

Most of the time I don’t bother frothing milk just for the topping…but sometimes I do ;)

Some random breakfasts

• 1/2 honey wheat bagel. 1/4 with PB and J, 1/4 with chive cream cheese.


• homemade biscotti

Another day, another latte. This time no foam, but in a beer goblet!

• whole wheat cinnamon raisin breakfast thin


• 1 egg


• 1 slice cheddar cheese


• 1 slice ham

This breakfast sandwich was the bomb.

Yogurt & Berries

Specifically:

• 0% Plain Chobani


• raspberries


• blueberries


• sliced almonds


• drizzle of honey

First peaches of the season!! They aren’t local (but from Georgia!), but man…they were incredible.

You can see how juice it was!! I think a perfectly ripe peach could possibly be my most favorite fruit of all time….at least top 3.

Ok enough randomness.

Some days the most effort you want to put into lunch or dinner is pulling a menu from the drawer and calling in an order.

There’s nothing wrong with that my friend ;)

Signpost.com has offered to do a giveaway for Y&B readers!!

If you’re in the Boston area I would definitely recommend signing up for Signpost! You get daily emails letting you know about deals and bargains all around town. It’s not always for-sale deals like the one I’m giving away, but maybe it’s what restaurant is having half price appetizers or other limited time deals that you may never hear about.

Now for the giveaway!

What could be better than half of at your favorite takeout spots?! For $5, you’ll receive a $10 coupon code applicable to any delivery order from Allmenus.com. Essentially, it’s like getting that next order of sushi, pad thai, pizza or burritos at 50% off. Allmenus.com has partnered with hundreds of restaurants in the city, such as b.good, Elephant Walk, Cafeteria Boston, Modern Pastry Shop and more, so you'll be sure to find a restaurant that fits your cravings.

Three lucky readers will each win one of these deals. If you just can't wait to see if you've won, and want to purchase now, you can view the deal here.

Ways to win (leave a comment for each entry)

• Leave a comment telling me your favorite thing to order for take-out!


• Follow me on twitter @yogurtberries


• Tweet about the giveaway, be sure to mention @yogurtberries and @SignpostBOS


• Mention the giveaway in a blog post

Other important info:

• You do NOT need to have a blog for this.


• But you probably should be local to the Boston area to enjoy the benefits if you win :)

I’ll choose 3 winners on Wednesday June 1st by 10:00 PM EST.

Good Luck!!