Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Dried Cranberries Recipe

Broccoli Salad with Bacon and Dried Cranberries Recipe

Serves 4-6

3 heads of brocoli

1 small red onion, diced

1 cup dried cranberries

1 cup of sunflower seeds

1 package of apple smoked bacon

1 cup high quality mayonnaise

1/4 cup sugar

4 tbsp. red wine vinegar

Cook bacon in oven or pan until crispy.  Meanwhile, wash and cut the stems off of broccoli, and cut into bite sized pieces.  Add broccoli, cranberries, sunflower seeds, and onions in a large bowl.  Chop bacon into bite sized pieces and add to bowl.  Set aside.  Whisk together mayonnaise, sugar, and red wine vinegar.  Pour dressing over ingredients and mix thoroughly.  Let rest in the fridge for 3-4 hours.  It tastes best once the flavors have marinated.  It can even be made the night before you want to serve it.

Caprese Quinoa Recipe

Caprese Quinoa Recipe

makes about 3 cups worth

1 cup uncooked quinoa

16 oz container of grape tomatoes, quartered

3/4 cup fresh mozzarella pearls (or just buy a fresh mozzarella ball and cut it into chunks)

10 large basil leaves, cut into ribbons

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Prepare quinoa according to directions on box (which is most likely: 2 cups water + 1 cup quinoa, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes). Depending on whether you want your quinoa hot or cold (it’s great both ways) either let it cool completely or immediately add in the tomatoes, cheese, basil, salt and pepper. Drizzle about 2-3 tablespoons of basil oil over top and serve!

White Chicken Chili Recipe

White Chicken Chili Recipe

Ingredients

Chili:1 1/2  lbs uncooked chicken breast (can be frozen) cut into 1-2″ chunks
2 – 15 oz cans of white beans
1 – 15 oz can of white corn
1 onion chopped (sweet/Vidalia)
1 clove garlic finely chopped (I love garlic so I used 2)
1 package taco seasoning
1 – 7 oz can of chopped green chilies
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 – 14 oz can of chicken broth

Toppings:
1/2 cup sour cream (I used low fat)
2 tbls lime juice
Finely chopped cilantro
Fresh shredded cheese (I used Colby-Jack)
Corn tortilla chips (the authentic yellow kind)

Directions

Place cut up chicken in the bottom of the Crock Pot.  Add beans, corn and onion.  Mix the next five ingredients and pour over the top.  Cover and cook on low in the Crock Pot for 8-10 hours.  (I was running low on time so I cooked mine on low for about 4 1/2 hours and then raised it to high for the last two hours).

Before serving use a potato masher to break up the chicken.  (Make sure you do this very quickly with pressure and alternating directions… the consistency should change from brothy with chunks of meat and beans to a very thick and even consistency.  If it is still brothy, keep mashing).

Add shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream, a splash of lime juice, cilantro and chips before serving.  YUM!

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili Recipe

Vegetarian Quinoa Chili Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked quinoa 

• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 large yellow onion, diced (1 3/4 cup)

• 4 cloves garlic, minced 

• 2 (14.5 oz) cans diced tomatoes

• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

• 1 1/2 - 2 cups water (or chicken broth if not making vegetarian)

• 1 (7 oz) can diced green chiles

• 2 1/2 Tbsp chili powder

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 2 tsp cocoa powder 

• 1 1/2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp granulated sugar

• 1/2 tsp ground coriander

• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste (optional)

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• 2 (15 oz) cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I used one dark red, one light red)

• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed

• 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen corn

• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

• Juice of 1 lime

• Heat olive oil in a large enameled cast iron pot over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot add onion and saute until tender, about 4 minutes, adding in garlic during last 30 seconds of sauteing. Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked quinoa, water (start with 1 1/2 cups then add more later if desired), green chiles, chili powder, cumin, cocoa, paprika, sugar, coriander, cayenne pepper and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover pot and allow to simmer 30 minutes.

• Add in all beans, corn, cilantro and lime and cook until heated through. Serve warm with optional toppings and sides (cheddar, sour cream, diced avocados, saltine crackers or tortilla chips).

Blueberry Greek Yogurt Parfait

Blueberry Greek Yogurt Parfait Recipe

• 1 (6-oz.) container Coconut Yogurt
• 1 cup of strawberries and blueberries mixed together
• 1/2 cup Back to Nature Classic Granola

Spoon half of yogurt into 10oz clear glass or clear plastic drinking glass. Top with half of the strawberries and blueberries mixture. Then add the cereal. Repeat layers.

Parmesan Pesto Halibut Recipe

Parmesan Pesto Halibut Recipe

1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (I used whole wheat panko, which is why mine looks sortof dark)
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt and pepper
zest and juice of one lemon
1/4 cup basil pesto (homemade or prepared)
4 4-oz halibut fillets
cooking spray

1. Preheat oven to 450 and line baking sheet with foil. Spray foil with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Meanwhile, combine panko and Parmesan cheese in small bowl.  In another small bowl, stir lemon zest into basil pesto.
3. Arrange halibut fillets in single layer on baking sheet, patting dry with a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper, and spread about 1 tbsp pesto over each piece of fish. Press the Parmesan-panko mixture over pesto.
4. Cook fish until tops turn golden-brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 10 to 12 minutes.  Squeeze lemon juice over fish and serve immediately.

Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Quinoa Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Breakfast Quinoa Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk – I used almond milk but any milk will work

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Pinch of salt

2-4 tablespoons chopped pecans

Directions:

Bring milk and water to a boil in a small to medium sized saucepan.  Add quinoa, cover, reduce heat to simmer, and let cook 15 minutes.  Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.  Uncover and fluff with a fork, then stir in the pumpkin, maple syrup, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.  Taste and adjust any amounts to your liking (i.e. add more sweetness or spices).  Divide into two bowls (add milk if desired) and top with desired amount of pecans.

Baked Zucchini Chips Recipe

Baked Zucchini Chips Recipe

• 1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fat-free milk
• 2 1/2 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini (about 2 small)
• Cooking spray
• 
  

Preheat oven to 425°.
Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk.
Place milk in a shallow bowl.
Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture.
Place coated slices on an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray; place rack on a baking sheet.
Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp.
Serve immediately.

Quinoa Mac and Cheese Recipe

Quinoa Mac and Cheese Recipe

1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained 

vegetables of your choice- I used onion, zucchini and tomato

garlic, salt, pepper and other seasonings

1 cup cheese of your choice (I used a mix of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan)

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

olive oil, water (or stock)

Saute your vegetables in a little olive oil, salt and pepper until partially translucent.

Add the quinoa and toast for 5 minutes or so until opaque. Add your liquid- I used water but you could use chicken or vegetable stock for more flavor. The amount of liquid is double your quinoa- so 2 cups of water to 1 cup quinoa. Add additional seasoning- dried herbs, red pepper flakes, etc. Lower the heat and let it simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid is absorbed. In a bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, and grated cheese. Pour in the quinoa mixture and combine. It will look gross at this point. Pour into a greased pan and top with breadcrumbs or more cheese (optional). I used panko and parmesan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes depending on the depth of your dish.

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad Recipe

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad Recipe

Ingredients

Salad
• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 3/4 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 3/4 cup shredded carrots
• 3/4 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles, plus more for garnish
• 4 green onions chopped, save half for garnish
Dressing
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup hot sauce (I recommend Franks)
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Instructions

1. In a fine-mesh strainer, rinse quinoa well and drain. In a medium pot, combine quinoa and water. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn heat to low. Cook until all the water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat, fluff the quinoa with a fork.
2. While the quinoa is cooking make the buffalo sauce dressing and cook the chicken and broccoli. In a measuring cup or small bowl combine the olive oil, hot sauce, and seasoned salt. Whisk to combine. Set aside.
3. Heat a medium size skillet over medium high heat Add a tablespoon of olive oil and saute the broccoli for about 5 minutes. You want it to just start to soften, but still be crisp. Remove from the pan and set aside. Add the chicken to the same pan and cook the chicken for about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Add 1/4 cup or so of the buffalo sauce and cook until the chicken absorbs the sauce.
4. When the quinoa is ready add the chicken, broccoli, carrots, shredded cabbage and as much of the dressing as desired (I ended up using all of the dressing, but we like things extra saucy) toss well. Add the blue cheese and half of the green onions. Toss again and serve warm with extra blue cheese crumbles and green onions.

California Breakfast Casserole Recipe

California Breakfast Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

12	precooked (frozen) breakfast
	sausage patties, thawed
2-3	sliced tomatoes
2-3	sliced avocados
12	eggs
1	c. milk
	1 Pound pkg. frozen hash browns, thawed
1	c. cheddar cheese (shredded)
1	tsp. salt
½	tsp pepper
	extra cheddar cheese for topping
9	X 13 GLASS PAN

Directions

◦Layer the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan with sausage topped with tomatoes and avocado. ◦In a bowl, beat eggs and milk. Stir in all other ingredients. Pour hash and egg mixture over the sausage, tomatoes, and avocados. ◦Bake at 350 for 35-45 min or until well set. Top with extra cheddar right after pulling out of the oven so it melts all over the top. Top with salsa or sour