Mood Board For The Busy Parent

I rely on this board way to often, because as you will see, its just so easy to assemble and have everything prepared in advance. Remember, Sundays at home for me are my prep and soup making days. This is an easy one because your kids will love it too and will be able to make it for themselves just incase you are not around.

When making these ”Mood Boards” keep in mind that there has to be some fun items on there too, no one is ever in the mood to just eat healthy. Nothing will happen if you throw on a few pieces of really good chocolates.

There are some items that are staples on every board, Ill point those out with an *

 

INGREDIENTS

Makes 6-8 Servings

  • 1 Roasted Chicken 3-4lbs. – Recipe in my cook book (or pick up ready at the market)
  • 2 Bunches of Asparagus – Blanched in salt water and quickly submerged in an ice-bath. Then simply tossed with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and salt
  • 2 Bunches of Broccolini – Blanched in salt water and quickly submerged in an ice bath. Then simply tossed with olive oil, fresh lemon juice and salt
  • 1 Pint of Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes – Washed *
  • 1 English Cucumber – Washed and cut into ¼ inch wheels *
  • 1 Entire bag or 3 Cups of Grapes – with branches – washed *
  • 1 Cup mini baby bell peppers – washed
  • 1/2lb. Of your favorite dry salami – I like Genoa
  • ½ lb. Feta cheese – Or your favorite cheese
  • 1 Cup dried apricots *
  • 1 Cup unsalted roasted almonds *
  • ½ Cup Kalamata olives *
  • ½ Cup pitted green olives *
  • ½ Cup good chocolate – broken in to small chunks

 

ASSEMBY

  1. Lay colorful kale or green leaf lettuce underneath just to give it a special feel and also use the greens as a vehicle to hold your ingridients
  2. Start with the protein in the center, dont eat chicken no problem, stack your tofu or fish
  3. Next lay the vegetables all around and follow it up with the fruit. Cheese in one corner and choclates away from any warm items on the board

 

PRO TIPS

  • Remember this is your perosnality on a board so you put in the ingridients that you and your family love.. No grocery list here.. It’s all you!
  • Cutting Boards are great but if you dont have one, a platter of any size will do, get fancy and lay it out on an oversized mirror when you have guests.
  • Sub out any vegetable, cheese, or nut you dont like or cant get. Just remember colorful and fresh ingridents are best and dont forget the chocolate
  • I always serve a big board for dinner with a pot of soup and some great rustic bread.