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An Open Cookbook

An Open Cookbook

1.26.2011

Stretching Out


I spent this past weekend with my mom on sunny Coronado Island.  The warmth of the sun and the comfort of being with my mom was just the R&R that I needed.  In the midst of cold and rainy winter, I welcomed the sun with open arms.  We went to the beach at least once a day, and in the picture below, we had just caught the sunset.  The air was perfumed with bursts of warm ocean breezes that left your lips with a light hint of salt. 



We spent our long weekend doing all types of restorative activities including yoga on the beach, long walks, shopping in the cute local boutiques, drinking wine and tea, and eating very well.  We discovered so many great little spots.  We like to order two different things and share them so we can try all the flavors.  Our favorite restaurant was a beachy cafe called Stretch's.  They had all kinds of interesting sandwiches and wraps.  The ones featured above are what we shared on our last full day.  The sandwich had a lentil burger, sprouts, guacamole, tomatoes, onions, jack cheese and a sprinkling of sunflower seeds.  The seeds added a nice saltiness to the sandwich...and holy guacamole was it good.  The wrap was one of the most interesting wraps I have ever had.  It is called the Mission Wrap.  It has goat cheese, spinach, sauteed mushrooms and onions, sprouts and dried figs.  A little bit of sweet with the savory mushrooms and onions and the creaminess of the goat cheese, were an absolute perfect flavor package.

The owner was so nice...she sat down at the table next to us and answered our line of questions of all the ingredients.  She told us the dozens of components and steps to making the lentil burger and how it has evolved over the years.  We talked to the table of mom and daughter next to us about how they look forward to coming to Stretch's every time they visit.  It was such a welcoming and warm little place, that very quickly got added to my top ten favorite lunch places.

I am going to include all the components of the wrap below...although I am not sure if it can be recreated completely, without the ambiance.  Please try at home and let me know!!

Stretch's Cafe Fig and Goat Cheese Wrap

1 whole wheat tortilla
Goat cheese
Lots of spinach
Red onions and mushrooms
Oil
Sprouts
Dried mission figs


Saute the mushrooms and red onions in oil over medium heat.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook until well done.  Set aside.  Spread a healthy amount of goat cheese on the tortilla.  Add many layers of spinach and a handful of sprouts.  Sprinkle with the sauteed veggies and top with figs.  With TLC, carefully roll into burrito shape.  Close your eyes, take a bite and visualize a warm salty beach.





2 comments:

Joan said...

That wrap sounds heavenly. Made my mouth water. And I also have to say, you are a very talented write, Alli. Really enjoy reading your blog.

Alli Shircliff said...

Thank you so much Joan! The mix of the flavors was so different. We saw the menu one day walking around town, and the Mission Fig stuck in our head until we went to get it the next day!