Lemony Quinoa

I got this recipe from www.allrecipes.com- it is better the longer you let it sit, and allow the lemon juice and seasonings to soak in! It's good by itself, or great with shrimp or chicken for a simple dinner!

Ingredients:
1/4c. pine nuts
1c. Quinoa, rinsed until water runs clear
2c. water (or broth)
1/4c. fresh lemon juice (fresh lemons make all the difference!)
2 stalks celery, chopped
1/4 red onion, chopped
1/4t. cayenne pepper
1/2t. ground cumin
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped (you may substitute cilantro if desired)

Directions:
Toss the pine nuts in a dry skillet over medium heat stirring constantly until pine nuts start to brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.
In saucepan, combine quinoa, water (or broth) and salt. Bring to a boil the reduce heat and simmer until water is absorbed and quinoa is cooked, becoming translucent in color, and outside ring begins to separate. Cool slightly, then fluff with a fork. Transfer quinoa to serving bowl and add pine nuts and remaining ingredients, and toss lightly. Adjust salt and pepper if needed. Also, allow to sit for a few minutes before serving!  Refreshing and delicious for a summer meal!

Quinoa Pilaf

1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1/2c. chopped onion
2 carrots, chopped
1/2c. celery, chopped
1c. quinoa, rinsed
2c. vegetable broth
2/3c. chopped walnuts
1/4c. chopped fresh parsley (I've also used cilantro)

Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion for 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add carrot and celery, and saute for 5 more minutes. Stir in quinoa and broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook 15 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and fluffy. In a bowl, toss quinoa together with walnuts and parsley. Serve hot or at room temperature.
I have often served this as a side dish, or add chicken or shrimp and serve as a meal! Enjoy!

Quinoa with Toasted Almonds and Cranberries

I got this recipe from the back of the package of quinoa I purchased, and it's delicious!

1 c. Quinoa, well rinsed and soaked for 30 minutes
1 1/2c. water (or reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth)
1 cube broth stock cube*(unless already using broth instead of water)
1/4t. salt
1/2c. blanched, sliced almonds
1 cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf
1/2c. dried cranberries

In 2 qt. saucepan, bring water and stock cube (or broth) to a boil. In a separate skillet on medium heat, stir and toast almonds until golden. Add quinoa, and stir and roast quinoa until dry and turning color. Transfer quinoa and almonds to a saucepan. Addbroth stock cube  (or just broth), salt, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick. Return to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Fluff gently with a fork and serve.

This is great for breakfast, or a great snack when you need something sweet and savory!

Black bean veggie burger

Just made this on my grill for dinner and it was delicious! I freeze my burgers first and grill them in foil so they don't fall apart. This recipe is from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
Directions

If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Yummy Kale Chips

My new favorite chip- yes, chip!
Okay, these aren't made from bread or potatoes, and they are a little difficult to dip or scoop salsa or dip, but they are crunchy, and oh so yummy! And, for the price of a bag of processed, unhealthy chips, you can buy a bunch of kale and make chips that even your husband will eat (isn't that even more of a feat than your children?) Sam eats these with me!

What you need:
1 bunch organic Kale (green or red, it doesn't matter)
1 T. coconut oil (warmed), or safflower oil
2 T. apple cider vinegar
2 T. (or more) grated Parmesan cheese
Pinch of salt
fresh ground pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 350.
Remove all kale leaves from the stems, and tear into chip-size pieces. Rinse Kale well, and dry as thoroughly as possible. Combine dry ingredients in a small bowl, and set aside. Place kale in a large bowl. Combine oil and vinegar, and drizzle over kale. Toss with hands until well coated. sprinkle with salt and pepper, and toss again. Finally, toss with parmesan cheese until coated. Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until slightly crispy.
Beware! You can eat all of these in ONE sitting! :-)

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas

I made these while visiting my sister in-law, and didn't have all the ingredients- so I improvised (as usual!) and they turned out great! They are healthy AND tasty! Enjoy!

For the Filling:
1 pkg./12 Tortillas (fajita/ burrito size- not the big ones)
1 1/2 lbs. (about 4) sweet potatoes, cooked and skinned
1 Tbsp. coconut oil
1 onion, chopped, or pureed
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 can or 2c. black beans, cooked
1 can or 1 to 1 1/2c. pinto beans, cooked
1-2 cans diced green chilies
1 Tbsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
pinch of salt, and pepper to taste
1 Tbsp. Lime Juice (fresh is best)
1/4c. water
2 handfuls of cilantro, chopped

Preheat oven to 350.
Cook and peel potatoes, and cook beans as directed. Add oil to large skillet. Warm, then add onion and garlic, and saute for 30 seconds. (For lower fat, omit oil, and saute onion and garlic in 2 Tbsp. water). Add all ingredients, except tortillas and water. Mash with potato masher, and heat until just before it simmers. Add water slowly to desired consistency. Remove from heat. Add cilantro. Lay out tortillas in 2 9x13 baking dishes, and fill with mixture. Fold together and lay seem-side-down. Top with enchilada sauce recipe follows) and sharp cheddar cheese, cover, and bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and enchiladas are warmed through.

Enchilada Sauce:

1 can crushed tomatoes, reduced sodium, or no salt added
1 c. salsa
1 tsp. chili powder (depending on your desire for spice)
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 can tomato paste

combine all ingredients in blender or food processor. You made need to add water until you reach desired consistency. Enjoy!

Avocado Wrap

This is one of our favorite summer time meals because it's cool, refreshing, light and its so easy:

Avocado Wrap

Tortillas or Pita Pocket Bread

Guacamole

Shredded Chicken

Spices

Boil your chicken until it's ready to shred and allow it to cool slightly while you make your guacamole. We make our guacamole by splitting it in half and filling half of the avocado with lime juice, half with salsa and sprinkling garlic salt to taste, but you could also use fresh garlic and a pinch of salt and then mash it all together. Mix chicken and guacamole well and wrap up in your tortilla or stuff your pita bread. A little cheese on top can be added too. Enjoy!

Homemade Bread

This is a super Yummy bread recipe from one of my very good friends who makes delicious bread and was kind enough to share her knowledge with me. Yesterday Amy and I made this and she experimented with using more wheat flour, some sprouted wheat flour and some oat flour and I expect she'll continue having fun with the recipe. Go to it and make your own homemade bread your own!

Wheat Bread

2 (.25 oz) package rapid rise yeast

1 tsp. White sugar

½ cup warm water (110 degrees F)

1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk

¼ cup warm water

¼ cup melted butter

¼ cup honey

2 tsp. Salt

3 cups whole wheat flour

2 cups bread or all-purpose flour

1. Dissolve yeast and sugar in ½ cup warm water. Let stand until yeast becomes frothy, about 6-8 minutes.

2. In a large bowl; combine milk, ¼ cup water, melted butter, honey, and salt. Mix well. Add wheat flour one cup at a time, mixing well with a wooden spoon. Mix the yeast mixture to the flour mixture, and let rest 15 minutes. Add white flour, mix and knead. Knead by hand for about 10 minutes or with mixer for 8 minutes. Your bread will be the right consistency when it springs back when you touch it. If it's sticky, add more flour slowly. Knead by hand one extra minute if you used a mixer. Place the dough in a greased bowl, and turn to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise for 1 hour, or until almost doubled.

3. Punch down and divide dough in half. Roll out each half and knead a little. Form into loaves, and place in greased 9x5 inch bread pans. Butter tops of dough, if desired and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm area until doubled; second rise should take about 45 minutes.

4. Place a small pan of water on the bottom shelf of oven. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

5. Bake 25-35 minutes, or until tops are golden brown. Another way to test doneness is by tapping the top of the bread. Hollow sound means it is done. Cool 10 minutes on side in pans and then take out and put onto rack. Slice. Freezes well.