SWEET AND CRUNCHY QUINOA SALAD

SWEET AND CRUNCHY QUINOA SALAD

We liked this - had it with ginger salmon fillets. Was easier than I thought it would was going to be. Came from Albertsons pamphlet - Heart-Healthy Living

1 cup quinoa

2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth (did vegetable, think we might like chicken better)

1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted (only had slivered on hand)

1 cup thinly sliced green onions (about one bunch)

1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped (cherries were WAY too expensive, used cranberries - think raisins might be better)

1/2 cup chopped parsley

DRESSING:

1/4 cup orange juice

1 T olive oil

2 T buttermilk

2 tsp honey

1/4 tsp salt, optional (didn't add)

1/2 tsp pepper

Place quinoa and broth in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat; simmer 15-20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat.

Meanwhile, place almonds in a small pan over medium heat and toss until lightly browned and fragrant.

Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until well blended.

While the quinoa is still warm, stir in the green onions, cherries, parsley, and almonds, then toss with the dressing and serve.

Per serving: 262 calories, 8g protein, 39g carbs, 9g fat,0mg cholesterol, 3g fiber, 44mg sodium (if add salt add 100 mg)

PINEAPPLE MANGO SALSA

PINEAPPLE MANGO SALSA

Stephanie from Pacific Yurts gave me this recipe. I really like it. Goes great with pecan crusted fish.

2 cans (8 oz) pineapple tidbits

2 large mango, peeled and diced (mango should be green and hard when bought)

1/2 medium red bell pepper, diced

2 green onions, chopped

1 T red wine vinegar

2 T chopped fresh cilantro (didn't add)

1/4 tsp salt (didn't add)

Combine and refrigerate.

THINGS TO REMEMBER / TIPS

TIPS AND THINGS I HAVE TRIED AND LIKED AND DON'T WANT TO FORGET:

*hot water with lemon - one small mug full of hot water + 1 tsp. lemon juice + 2 tsp. fiber supplement - This is a great substitute for hot chocolate. Also a good thing to have before going to bed or in the morning.

*Can freeze lemons and limes whole - then defrost and juice or zest.

*sprinkled wheat germ on top of grapefruit - liked it. Abagail ate it too.

*Egg replacement in recipes: 1 T flaxseed meal to 3 T water. Let soak for 2 minutes.

*How to deseed a pomegranate: cut pomegranate into sections and put in a bowl of water. Pop seeds out in the water. They will float to the bottom and everything else will float to the top.

*I don't like cilantro neither do kids but Scott does in small amounts.

*Rice and left over spaghetti freeze really well.

*Can use plain greek yogurt in recipes instead of butter, mayo or sour cream. Is also good on top of anything you would put sour cream on top of (potatoes, taco soup etc.)

*Substituted black refried beans in brownies instead of oil - no one noticed and everyone liked them..hee..hee.

*Cheese is best at room temperature.

*Add seasonings last 20 minutes of bake time - will then have the most flavor. Always remove the bay leaf - it can make your tongue tingle if eaten.

*Drain moisture from your potatoes before making hash browns (put the shredded potatoes in a towel or paper towel and sqeeze).

*freeze extra bread (or the heels) and then when there are lots put in food processor to make bread crumbs.  Use within a few days or freeze.

*left over buttermilk can be frozen to be used later. Can make own buttermilk by adding 1T lemon juice, 1T white vinegar or 1/2 tsp cream of tarter to 1 cup milk.  Let sit 5 minutes.  Or whisk together 3/4 cup plain yogurt to 1/4 cup milk.  

*Can make own taco shells by frying 15 seconds per side.  Make sure to fold over.
Can also bake them in the oven by putting them upside down over oven tray slats.

*Whipping cream: fill a jar one-quarter full with cold heavy cream then seal and shake until cream is thick and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.


*make own BROWN SUGAR - 1 cup sugar with 4 tsp of molasses for light, or 1/4 cup molasses for dark

*to get rid of the pickle smell in a jar.  Put some oxiclean mixture and water and soak overnight.

*Some foods that are proven to boost metabolism: tomatoes, water, spinach, fish, cottage cheese, lemon, egg whites, avocado, apples, blueberries and almonds.  Sleep is very important too!

*to clean grease off burners on the stove - put them in a ziploc bag with about 1/4 c of ammonia and seal the bag.  Let it sit overnight then wipe with a sponge.

*Fun way to make cornbread - waffle maker.  Used recipe in McCleve 2nd book.  They were even better when we warmed up the extras on 350.  Make them more crunchy.  Some of us just ate the chili and then topped waffles with butter & honey - yum!

*Miranda Ealy gave me this tip after she brought super soft peanut butter cookies to YW (Bro. Cunningham said they were the bomb).  Only cook cookies for 8 minutes then leave on rack for 2 more minutes then place in a container that you can cover.  The moister is then locked in.