Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa

I used a red quinoa here, but you can use whatever kind you like, white/buff colored seems to be the most common. Also, a few notes and tips from the book: low-fat soy milk may replace the low fat milk, blueberries may replace the blackberries, dark honey may replace the agave nectar, and walnuts may replace the pecans.

1 cup organic 1% low fat milk (replace with nut milk to make vegan)
1 cup water
1 cup organic quinoa, (hs note: rinse quinoa)
2 cups fresh blackberries, organic preferred
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted*
4 teaspoons organic agave nectar, such as Madhava brand

Combine milk, water and quinoa in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat; let stand covered 5 minutes. Stir in blackberries and cinnamon; transfer to four bowls and top with pecans. Drizzle 1 teaspoon agave nectar over each serving.

Serves 4.

*While the quinoa cooks, roast the pecans in a 350F degree toaster oven for 5 to 6 minutes or in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 3 minutes.

Source: http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/warm-and-nutty-cinnamon-quinoa-recipe.html

Spinach Pie & Pineapple Dessert

A friend's mom makes this and I love it so much that I decided to give it a try. I used:

1 sheet Pepperidge Farm phyllo

2 boxes of frozen chopped spinach

1 small onion, chopped

6 oz. crumbled reduced-fat feta

2 eggs (as binder)

Salt

Oregano

I mixed all the ingredients in a bowl, poured them into a greased pyrex mold, topped it with the phyllo and egg wash and baked it at 400ºF for 15-20 minutes. So gooooood!!! I did overestimate the saltiness of the feta, though. I will add more salt to the mix next time I make it.

I had leftover phyllo so I cut up some pineapple, put it in a ramekin and topped it with the phyllo, some egg wash and maple sugar. It came out sooo good! Next time I'll sprinkle the pineapple with some flour or arrowroot so the juice that comes out of it makes a sauce.

Hot Artichoke Dip

Everyone loves spinach-artichoke dip, but it’s a fat-and-calorie fiesta. Not this recipe—

yet you’ll never know it.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups

• 1 12-oz. pkg. light silken tofu
• 2 Tbs. reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 1 Tbs. Dijon mustard
• 1 Tbs. lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 tsp.)
• 1/2 tsp. onion powder
• 1 15.5-oz. can artichoke quarters in water, drained, rinsed, chopped
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Paprika for dusting
• 
  

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Purée tofu, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, garlic and onion powder in blender or food processor until smooth. Transfer to bowl.
2. Stir artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese into tofu mixture. Spoon into 8-inch glass pie dish or casserole. Bake 20 minutes. Dust with paprika; serve.

Nutritional Information

Per TABLESPOON:

Calories	16
Protein	1g
Total Fat	1g
Carbs	1g
Choelsterol	1mg
Sodium	56mg
Fiber	1g
Sugar	1g

Source:

http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipes/9709?section=

Classic Waffles

"A lovely, crispy waffle perfect for the morning."

Original Recipe Yield 10 to 12 waffles

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 eggs (or substitute with unsweetened applesauce to make the waffles vegan)
  
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar; set aside. Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs (or pour in the applesauce). Stir in the milk, butter and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture; beat until blended.
3. Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle iron. Cook the waffles until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving Calories: 379 | Total Fat: 16.2g | Cholesterol: 123mg

Source:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Classic-Waffles/Detail.aspx

My Brownies

175 grams Dark Chocolate
200 grams Butter
4 eggs
1-1/2 cups sugar
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Spray an 8x8 inch glass pan.
Melt the chocolate and butter in the microwave or on a double boiler, and let cool to room temperature.
Beat eggs and sugar until creamy. Add chocolate and butter mix, flour, and vanilla, and mix.
Add walnuts, if using, and mix.
Pour mix into pan, and bake at 400ºF for 10 minutes (to form shiny crust).
Then lower oven temperature to 375ºF and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
Cut them while they are still hot, and let cool.

Corn Pudding

This dish is like a cake, and very moist. It's a great as a side dish, or as an entree topped with salsa or veggie sausage.

2 cans sweet corn in water, drained
2 cans cream style corn
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 cup matzo meal
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup oil (I use canola)
1 tablespoon sugar
Pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 350ºF and grease rectangular pyrex mold.
Beat whole eggs. Add sugar, oil, and salt, and mix well.
Add flour, matzo meal, and baking powder. Mix well and add cream style corn, and drained corn.
Pour mixture into prepared mold. Bake for one hour.

Very Different Banana Cake

This is not your typical banana cake. It is mostly bananas, and very dense and moist. Not "cakey" at all. This recipe has been in my family for generations, and is one of the simplest things to make. EVER.

It's a great way to use bananas that have turned black, as they are the sweetest and perfect for this cake.


4 or 5 bananas, very ripe
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk (can be non-dairy, I've used almond with great results)
2 heaping tablespoons sugar (I use brown)
2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon flour (whole wheat works too)
2 tablespoons oil (I use canola)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Chocolate chips (optional, but very yummy!)


Preheat the oven to 375ºF and spray a pie mold with nonstick cooking spray.
Place all ingredients, except chocolate chips, if using, in a blender. Blend until smooth.
Pour mixture into greased pan and sprinkle on chocolate chips, if using.
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes.

***This can be served warm or cold. Both are equally delicious!***

I haven't taken any pictures of the ones I've made, but I will next time and upload it.

Honey Cake (Leikaj)

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup quick or instant oats
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (such as Ghirardelli chocolate chips, I rarely use them though, I like plain oatmeal cookies better!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugars with an electric mixer. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture until well combined. Stir in oats, then chocolate chips if using. Roll dough into walnut-sized balls and place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake 10-12 minutes.