Southwestern Veggie Wraps

Matt and I eat lunch together every day. We enjoy the mid-day break to recap our mornings and recharge for the afternoon. In pre-COVID (and pre-Baby!) days we used to splurge and go out to lunch one or two times a week, but since March we have made our own lunches every day. They’re not always healthy – Annie’s Shells and White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese makes an appearance at least a few times a month! – but sometimes we’re really good and prepare healthy lunches in advance that will last us through the work week.

Take, for example, these southwestern veggie wraps. They require a little up front work to peel and roast sweet potatoes and simmer beans with seasonings, but once that prep is done we get to enjoy several days’ worth of delicious lunches that come together in minutes.

I roasted four sweet potatoes and simmered my beans yesterday afternoon so we’ll be having these wraps for lunch TODAY. My stomach is growling. Lunch time can’t come soon enough!!!

Southwestern Veggie Wraps

Makes 6-8 wraps; recipe adapted from Oh My Veggies

You will need…

Roasted Sweet Potatoes
3-4 Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 inch chunks
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 teaspoons Cumin
Salt and Pepper

Smoky Black Beans
2 15 oz. cans Black Beans, not drained
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Water
1 teaspoon Ground Coriander
1 teaspoon Cumin
1/2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Wraps
Guacamole
Large “Burrito-Sized” Tortillas
Baby Spinach
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Smoky Black Beans

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F.  Place the sweet potato chunks on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss with cumin and a few grinds of salt and pepper, then drizzle with olive oil and continue to toss (I use my hands) until the potatoes are evenly coated. Spread the potatoes in an even layer on the baking sheet. Roast for 25 minutes, stirring partway through, until potatoes are crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.  Allow to cool, then transfer to a container and refrigerate until ready to eat.

To make the smoky black beans, combine the beans and their liquid with the oil, garlic, water and seasonings in a small saucepan. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain (but do not rinse!) the beans, then transfer to a container. Refrigerate until ready to eat.

To assemble the wraps, start by portioning out the sweet potatoes and beans you’ll be using into a microwave-safe bowl. Reheat for 2-3 minutes in the microwave until warm. Next, place a tortilla on a large plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and microwave for 30 seconds to soften tortilla. Remove paper towel, then spread a generous spoonful (or two, or three!) of guacamole on the tortilla. Top with a handful of spinach leaves and the sweet potato-bean mixture. Wrap up the tortilla and enjoy!

Veggie Wraps with Feta, Hummus and Basil

Matt and I live about five minutes from work which means that we are able to drive home in the middle of the day to visit Bailey and eat lunch together.  Usually we eat leftovers, lean cuisine pizzas, or lean pockets (my fav is the grilled chicken jalapeno cheddar!) but this week we decided to plan ahead and actually prep food on Monday that we could enjoy all week.  The minimal amount of prep work at the beginning of the week was well worth it and we happily assembled and ate our fresh veggie wraps with feta, hummus, and basil on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

These wraps were inspired by Cosi‘s Hummus and Veggie Sandwich and Panera‘s Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich.  We made a few changes including using soft, pliable flatbread from The Fresh Market and adding our favorite types of hummus.  (I prefer Trader Joe’s Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus and Matt likes TJ’s Mediterranean Hummus.)  The resulting sandwiches are flavorful, colorful, and just messy enough to give you an excuse to lick the excess hummus and melted feta off of your fingers when you’re done eating.  🙂

Veggie Wraps with Feta, Hummus and Basil (makes 6 sandwiches)

You will need…
6 pieces Flatbread or flexible, fresh pita bread
Approx. 1 cup reduced fat Feta Cheese, crumbled
Approx. 1 cup of your favorite hummus
1 Red Onion, thinly sliced into rounds and cut in half
1 Cucumber, thinly sliced on a diagonal and then cut into strips
1 Red Pepper, thinly sliced into long pieces
Handful of Basil Leaves, thinly sliced

Directions:
Place one flatbread on a microwave-safe plate and sprinkle with feta cheese.  Microwave on high for 30 seconds to warm up the bread and slightly melt the cheese.  Top the cheese with 2-3 spoonfuls of hummus and gently spread the hummus over the cheese with the back of the spoon.  Top with sliced onion, cucumber, pepper, basil and a spoonful of feta.  To eat your veggie wrap, fold up the edges of the flatbread taco-style and enjoy!

What do you eat for lunch during the work week?  Please share!  🙂