Posted in Recipes

Southwest Buddha Bowl

Buddha bowls are so easy, as long as you have a grain, veggies and protein you can go so many ways with flavor. Have fun and mix it up is what I like to do. Today’s recipe is short and sweet giving you an idea of a different way to eat this great dish.

Do you want more ideas?

For grain you can do rice, (such a nice variety in just rice alone) quinoa, barley, bulgur and the list can go on but these grains are a great start.

Vegetables think fresh, crunchy and again the sky is the limit here too, with summer coming you could really have fun with all the fresh wonderful veggies.

Now the protein, legumes or beans and again you can have a large choice with beans. Not to split hairs but I used lentils and they are considered a grain legume so have fun deciding on what category they belong in. I choose to just eat a larger portion of lentils so to fill in both my grain and legume. Right or wrong I enjoyed this quick easy meal.

Southwest Buddha Bowl:

For the Lentils:

1 cup dry lentils

2 cups water

1 jalapeno seeds removed and diced

1 small white onion diced

1 small tomato diced

cumin, salt, lime juice to taste and a pinch of sugar

In a sauce pan add washed lentil, water and the remaining ingredients cover and cook for about 45 minutes or until the lentils are done.

Vegetables:

Salad Spring mix per taste

1 red sweet pepper diced

1 orange sweeet pepper diced

1 white onion diced

1 pint of cherry tomatoes

In a bowel place desired amount of lentils and vegetables

Add the toppings/sauce

For the sauce

1 jar of Cashew Cheesy Sauce use per taste ( warmed it up in the microwave)

Plain Greek Yogurt per taste

Now enjoy!

This might not be your usual Buddha bowel but it’s a great easy meal on a Summer night.

Posted in Recipes

Quinoa Zucchini Casserole

This is an older post that I decided to give new life to because we had a slight cool down, so I wanted to have one last casserole before the warm days of summer and cooking light begins.  I also used a crock pot this time. It tasted just as good but it didn’t have the slight browning on top that you get when you bake it in the oven. (As you can see in the picture) This is a warm comfort food that welcomes you when you get home. 

If you choose to use the crock-pot, butter the sides and bottom of the crock-pot then follow the recipe as you would if you are baking it in the oven, but cook on low in the crock-pot for 6-8 hours

 

With my love of casseroles it’s a standing joke with my children on how much I love them and enjoy coming up with new ideas for them, it’s probably the one thing they don’t miss about my cooking now that they are grown.

The other evening as I went to make some stuffed zucchini I thought why not have a casserole instead.

Todays recipe is what I came up with. I didn’t take a picture because I was so wrapped up in cooking that I forgot but this recipe is defiantly one to try on a cool evening.

4 Cups shredded Zucchini

1 Cup cooked Quinoa

1 small Onion

4 cloves of Garlic

1 small can of diced Green Chilies

3 Eggs

1/2 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt

1 can of Cream of Mushroom Soup

1-2 Cups of Cheeses ( I used med cheddar)

1/4 Cup Bread Crumbs

Salt and Pepper to taste

In a 13×9 lightly greased pan grate zucchini. In small pan sauté onion and garlic until fragrant and translucent then add green chilies sauté a few minutes more.  Pour on top of shredded zucchini. In a small bowel beat eggs, yogurt, half cheese and cream of mushroom soup, salt/pepper then pour mixture on top of zucchini, add rest of cheese and breadcrumbs. Bake at 350 covered for 30 minutes uncover back for about 30 minutes more.

Posted in Recipes

Edamame & Spirulina Spaghetti

I had this kind of pasta noodle awhile ago and thoroughly enjoyed them. Edamame is an immature soybean in the pod but the benefits are still amazing although some may disagree on eating them because they are a green and natural whole food it is up to you to decide.

Edamame is low on carbs and calories but high with clean protein as well as dietary fiber, vitamins A, variations of B, C, E, K , Calcium, Magnesium, potassium. I am sure I messed some more but even these few awesome befits suggest help to the cardiovascular system just to name one great benefit.

Now on to the other great part of this spaghettis noodle spirulina also known as an algae. Yes, you read that right but before you write it off take a look at some great things this little algae can do. It can be cultivated world wide in salt or fresh water plus it contains plant based protein.

I can’t believe all the great things this little algae does. Studies have shown it helps with weight loss, gut health and diabetes, detoxing of heavy materials and help with hyperactivity/ADHD.

Spirulina has the normal vitamins like iron, B6, B12, A, C, magnesium but it has antioxidants, anti-inflammatory benefits. This little algae has so many great benefits its classified as a supper food and if you haven’t already please take a look at spirulina.

This recipe is not hard and is simple and can swap out the basics depending on your taste or what you have around.

Edamame & Spirulina Spaghetti:

Serves 4 (with leftovers) Less than 30 minutes including prep

1 8 ounce box of edamame and spirulina spaghetti

2 medium size roma tomato cut in bite size pieces

4-5 garlic cloves diced

1/2 white onion diced

4 small sweet peppers diced

1 1/4 cup up crushed tomatoes

1-2 tablespoon olive oil

Salt, black pepper, dried oregano, dried parsley per taste and 2 drops of basil essential oil

In a large pot cook spaghetti per package directions. While the noodles are cooking chop/dice garlic, onion, tomato and sweet pepper. In sauté pan on medium/high heat add olive oil, sweet peppers sauté then add onion garlic, diced tomato and seasoning sautéing until onions are translucent then add crushed tomatoes, let simmer then add the drained noodles and toss together then serve. Add parmesan on top if desired.