So. My kids are back in school. My house is clean. I kinda miss them and also kinda relish the alone time. But we’re back to my biggest struggle of the day: lunch. I’ve talked about this countless times, but my lunch is the hardest meal of the day for me. I wish there was a lunch fairy who would bring me a healthy lunch a few minutes before I get hungry every day (because that’s when everything goes out the window.)
My friend Kelly from Mountain Mama Cooks suggested a version of this Cream Cheese & Veggie Toast for One on her Facebook page a little while back and some version of this toast has become my favorite lunch or post-workout snack. And it’s only 5 Weight Watchers points (less than most protein bars.) I mean, it’s a little skimpy in the protein department, but it’s a great way to get through that mid-afternoon slump when I’m way more likely to reach for those single-serving Oreos than I am the beef jerky.
You’re going to need some Dave’s Killer Bread (or your favorite whole-grain bread–Dave’s is mine) and some softened cream cheese…
Plus some almost-paper-thin slices of tomato and onion, cucumbers (how thickly you slice those is up to you), and some Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning (I stock up when I visit a TJ’s because we don’t have one in my town, but many grocery stores sell a similar seasoning, or you can buy it on Amazon).
Toast the bread and then thinly spread some cream cheese on the toast–start with 1 tablespoon and then build from there. You just don’t want the cream cheese to overwhelm the other flavors.
Then layer the tomatoes, onions, and cucumbers…
And sprinkle with the seasoning.
Serve immediately. If you want to bulk it up a little, you could heat up a cup of tomato soup (Sara and I both love the Pacific Foods Tomato or Roasted Red Pepper Soup.)
Cream Cheese & Veggie Toast for One
Description
This quick and easy lunch or snack will become one of your favorites!
Ingredients
1 slice Dave’s Killer Bread (or your favorite whole grain bread)
1–2 tablespoons softened cream cheese (start with 1 and go from there…you don’t want the cream cheese to overwhelm everything else)
2–3 thin slices of fresh tomato
2–3 thin slices of red onion
5–6 thinly sliced cucumber rounds
Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
Instructions
Toast the bread. Schmear with cream cheese, then top with veggies and sprinkle generously with the seasoning.
Notes
Substitute hummus or avocado toast and lemon juice for the cream cheese to mix things up! With 1 tablespoon of whipped cream cheese, this is 5 Weight Watchers Points.
Questions & Reviews
If I want something a little different, I’ll sprinkle some capers on top instead of the bagel seasoning
I’ve made a version of this for over 30 years after having a “Through the Garden” Bagel at a vegetarian restaurant in Vermont in the ’80s. I just use salt and pepper instead of the Everything but the Bagel Seasoning, though I bet that is really good on it. I hope lots of readers try this simple idea as it is delicious and satisfying AND has stood the test of time, at least for me.
Yum. This sounds so good! I’ll have to give it a try. Your avocado fried egg toast is a staple for me. Also, that roasted red pepper tomato soup is my fave! I usually have it with a grilled cheese made with laughing cow light Swiss!
I love a variation of this–goat cheese (instead of cream cheese), add avocado, and sometimes a sliced hard boiled egg. My daily go to!
Sounds so good!!
I saw that Costco now sells their own version of everything but the bagel seasoning – another place to look 🙂
This looks delicious, and I too wish I had a lunch fairy! My Kroger recently started selling whipped cream cheese with Greek yogurt. It tastes great and has a bit more protein than regular cream cheese! I bet it would be great on this, and would help to slightly boost the protein!