Fresh Quinoa Salad

I love this salad so much. It is delicious, nutritious and refreshing. I have made several variations of this over the years but today I am going to share my favorite variation. Even my husband (who is not a fan of quinoa) will eat this one. I am still working on the kids eating all of it- they will currently pick out the corn and the beans.... which is good I guess for 17 month olds!

Now that I have been trying to cook more from scratch this is going to be added to my monthly menus!!

Quinoa Salad

3 Cups cooked quinoa

1 diced red onion

1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can sweet corn (drained)

1/4 cup diced fresh cilantro

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar

1 tsp salt

1 drop lemon essential oil or 1 tsp lemon juice (If using oil make sure it is of food grade quality)

1 drop lime essential oil or 1 tsp lime juice (If using oil make sure it is of food grade quality)

Mix all ingredients together and let set for at least 4 hours (overnight is better) to get the flavors mixed in.

I hope you enjoy this salad as much as I do. It is perfect for taking to potlucks as well as for a side dish with a summery dinner!

Thanks for reading,

Zoe

Homemade Chunky Spaghetti Sauce

This is a sauce that I love to make in the summer when the garden produce is plentiful. I then freeze it in quart bags and enjoy throughout the winter.

One batch makes about 3 quarts.

Chunky Spaghetti Sauce

1 tsp olive oil

1 large yellow squash, diced

1 large zucchini squash, diced

3-4 peppers (I use green, banana, anaheim), diced

1 large onion, diced

15 medium tomatoes, diced (and peeled if you prefer)

1 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp oregano

1 Tbsp basil

1 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp parsley

quart freezer bags

Directions:

Heat olive oil in large stockpot over medium heat.

Add squash, pepper and onion. Saute until soft. Add diced tomatoes and seasonings. Bring to a boil then reduce heat. Simmer for about 90 minutes until sauce has cooked down. 

Let cool and measure into freezer bags.

Thanks for stopping by! 

I may be linking up with some of these parties!

Spicy Cucumber Salad

This is a really simple, healthy way to use up fresh cucumbers from the garden. My friend Juan taught me about this way to prepare cucumbers and I absolutely love it.

Ingredients:

7-8 fresh garden cucumbers

2 limes

Tajin seasoning 

Peel and slice cucumbers.

Juice two limes over them.

Sprinkle with Tajin to taste. I would start out with just a little and then add more if desired.

I just keep a container of this in the refrigerator for a simple, guilt free snack.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Ham and Bean Soup with Knoedels- From Zoe's Kitchen

This soup was a staple at my husband's house when he was growing up.  He loves it so much and I have grown to like it a lot too. Plus it is pretty healthy, cheap and easy to make!  I use dried beans because they are easier to prepare for this meal.  I have cooked it both in a crock pot and regular stove top. I will share with you the crock pot version today.

Ham and Bean Soup with Knoedels

2 cups dried beans (I use pinto beans, you can use navy beans too)

1 lb ham diced

1 onion, chopped

6 cups water

2 tsp salt

2 tsp pepper

For knoedel (if you are gluten free like me, just leave these out)

1 cup flour

1 egg

1/4 tsp. salt

water

For Garnish

1 onion, chopped

White vinegar

Directions:

Rinse and sort beans. Throw out any shriveled beans. Add beans to large stock pot with 6 cups water. Bring to hard boil, cover and let sit for one hour.

Drain water and add beans to crock pot with 6 cups water. Add ham, onion and salt and pepper.

Let cook over low heat for 6-8 hours.

Turn crock pot heat to high to bring to a low boil. Mix together knoedel ingredients with just enough water to make the dough soft. Drop by small spoonfuls into soup. Let cook until done.

For Garnish (This is what really makes this soup yummy!)

Mix onion and white vinegar in a bowl. Spoon some over the soup and serve! So good!

I will be linking up with a few of these parties!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!

Fresh Asparagus Recipe

Ahhh, spring is in the air, birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the world is coming alive.... And asparagus is ready to be harvested!!!

This asparagus is not from our garden (we planted our crowns last year so they won't be ready for a couple more years), but it was locally grown and so delicious and fresh.

Here is a super easy, delicious recipe to help you enjoy your fresh asparagus from your garden or from the store!

Fresh Asparagus

1 lb fresh asparagus (chop off ends that are tough and fibrous)

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 Tbsp minced garlic

2 Tbsp soy sauce (optional)

1 lemon wedge

salt and pepper to taste

Heat olive oil on medium high heat in large skillet.

Add aspargus, garlic and seasonings.

Saute over medium high heat until asparagus is tender.

Sprinkle with lemon juice from lemon wedge.

Enjoy!

If that doesn't make you want to eat your veggies I don't know what will!

I will be linking up with some of these parties!

Have a great day!!

March- Month of Menus for Gluten Free, Dairy Free Diet

There is no way to sugar coat it- food allergies suck. Especially when you first find out what you have to eliminate. But it does get easier.

Recently  I figured out that I was having an intolerance to gluten, dairy and soy. Or any one of the three- I eliminated them all at the same time and when I reintroduced them my symptoms got worse.

When I first started the elimination diet it wasn't too difficult- but I did eat a lot of the same things- mostly corn tortillas topped with re fried beans, lettuce, salsa and avocados.  But when I realized I was going to have to be on this diet at least semi-permanently I decided I better start menu planning again!

Here are some things to keep in mind about the following menu:

-There are a lot of gluten free convenience products you can buy out there- my goal with this menu is to cook from scratch as much as possible.

-This menu is just for me and my husband so I can rely on leftovers on 2-3 nights a week.

-We like to eat out on Friday nights so I don't ever plan a meal for that night.

-The recipes below that have links and sources are from other blogs. The recipes that have links without sources are from my blog.

-The recipes that don't have a hot link I use commonly but haven't posted to the blog- most of them are basic things that you know how to make or are very easy to find.

I am planning hoping to do this every month.  If you have any questions about the menu don't hesitate to contact me zoer110@gmail.com.

Week 1: March 1-3

March 1st: Salmon Patties (using cornmeal instead of breadcrumbs) with Green Beans

March 2nd: Eating Out

March 3rd: Breakfast Bowls for Dinner (forgoing the cheese) from Once a Mom... Always a Cook

Week 2: March 4-10

March 4th: Deer (Beef) Roast with Roasted Potatoes & Carrots

March 5th: Easy Burritos (Corn Tortillas)

March 6th: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce (I usually make whole wheat noodles for my husband and gluten free noodles for myself)

March 7th: Leftovers

March 8th: Leftovers

March 9th: Eat Out

March 10th: Crunchy Tacos with Homemade Guacamole

Week 3: March 11-17

March 11th: Grilled Salmon and Roasted Vegetables

March 12th: Lentil Soup

March 13th: Almond Chicken (cornmeal instead of breadcrumbs and almond milk instead of buttermilk) and Brussels Sprouts

March 14th: Leftovers

March 15th: Leftovers

March 16th: Steak with Caramelized Onions, Baked Potatoes and Asparagus from White Lights on Wednesday

March 17th: Leftovers

Week 4: March 18-24

March 18th: Spinach "Chicken" Curry  (I will be adding real chicken) from Holy Cow! Vegan 

March 19th: Red Beans and Rice with Turkey Sausage

March 20th: Leftovers

March 21st: Stephanie's Goulash- I don't plan to put the beets in it though- I hate beets! from mama and baby love

March 22nd: Leftovers

March 23rd: Eat Out

March 24th: Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Peas

Week 5: March 25-31

March 25th: Ham and Bean Soup

March 26th: Chicken Fried Rice

March 27th: Turkey Sausage, Sauerkraut and Mashed Potatoes

March 28th: Leftovers

March 29th: Leftovers

March 30th: Eat Out

March 31st: Spicy Bean Skillet from Food.com

I hope this is helpful to you! Thanks for stopping by!
I will be linking up with some of these parties!

Gluten Free Breadsticks- New Food Friday

Last week I posted about my dietary changes due to a suspected food allergy. I am avoiding dairy, soy and gluten. This recipe is for gluten free breadsticks. They are also dairy and soy free, but if you don't have to avoid dairy adding cheese to these breadsticks would be amazing.

This recipe turned out pretty good- not as good as regular breadsticks, but for a gluten free product it was amazing.

Gluten Free Breadsticks

Gluten Free Pizza Crust Mix

1 medium Onion

2 Tbsp Olive Oil

1 tsp minced Garlic

Basil

Oregeno

Garlic Powder

Parmesan Cheese (optional, I didn't use this)

Marinara Sauce

1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

2  Tbsp garlic powder

2 tsp basil

2 tsp oregeno

2 Tbsp sugar

salt and pepper to taste

Mix Pizza Crust according to package directions.

While you are letting your pizza crust rise heat olive oil in medium skillet.

Saute onions until they are clear.

Once Pizza Crust has risen add sauted onions and minced garlic to crust.

Press onto greased baking sheet. This is a little bit difficult because the dough will be more sticky than a regular pizza dough. Mine didn't turn out the prettiest but it worked.

Sprinkle with garlic powder, basil, oregeno and parmesan (optional).

Bake according to directions on Pizza Crust package.

While breadsticks are baking combine all ingredients for marinara sauce on the stove. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 5-10 minutes.

Cut breadsticks into pieces and enjoy!

I will be linking up with some of These Parties!

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Carnitas Meat- From Zoe's Kitchen

This is a recipe I started making a couple years ago when my husband went wild hog hunting. I had never really prepared a hog roast before but this recipe is a great way to make Carnitas meat for tacos, burritos or even for pulled pork sandwiches. Plus it is really easy to do in the mornings before work because you can just throw it in the crock pot.

Carnitas Meat

1 pork roast (size doesn't really matter a lot unless it doesn't fit in your crock pot)

2 Tbsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp Oregano

1 Tbsp Parsley

1Tbsp Cumin

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

2 bay leaves

2 cups chicken broth (I usually use the granules mixed with water)

Directions

Mix all of the spices except bay leaves in a small bowl.

Place the two bay leaves at the bottom of the crock pot.

Take the spices and rub all over the outside of the pork roast until it is coated. Place roast on top of bay leaves in the crock pot.

Carefully pour chicken broth around the edges of the crock pot- don't pour directly on as it will wash off the seasoning rub.

Cook on low for at least 6 hours (I put it in before I leave for work and it is perfect when I get home)

It is done when meat is tender and pulls apart easily.

Remove meat from crock pot and shred. 

Serve with tacos, burritos, or nachos (especially good with Fresh Guacamole). The seasoning is even mild enough that we add barbecue sauce and make pulled pork sandwiches.

Enjoy!!

I will be linking with some of these parties!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day!

Red Beans and Rice- From Zoe's Kitchen

It has been getting chilly here these past few days. I am going to share with you a great cold weather dish that warms you up both temperature and spice wise!

I made this recipe up several years ago when I was a vegetarian and I needed a quick, cheap, dinner.. My husband added his spin to it by insisting I add meat- but I think it is just as good without the meat!
I sometimes use chicken and sometimes I use turkey smoked sausage- both are pretty good!

So here it is-

Zoe's Red Beans and Rice-
1 large chopped onion
1 large chopped green pepper
olive oil
1 28 oz. can of diced tomatoes or crushed tomatoes (I have used both- I like the diced better)
2 cans Red Beans, drained and rinsed
16 oz. package of Smoked Turkey Sausage- chopped
4 cups cooked brown rice (I usually cook this the night before to cut down on prep time)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Tony Cacheres Creole Seasoning (to taste)

Add olive oil, to large stockpot. Saute onion and pepper over medium high heat.

Once vegetables are tender add tomatoes and beans to the pot. Heat through, stiring occasionally.

Add sausage, rice, and all seasonings- stir well. Heat through. With the Creole seasoning you may want to add a little at a time and test to see how spicy it is. I like mine pretty spicy but the flavor is good even if you don't add too much spice.

Turn down heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes.

Serve topped with cheese or just plain.

The best part about this meal is it gets better as leftovers- the flavors mix more and are delicious!

I will be linking up with some of these parties.


Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!!

Tuesday 10- 10 Amazing Thanksgiving Recipes

Do you know what you are taking to Thanksgiving Dinner this year?? Luckily I don't have to host so I only have to pick out 2-3 recipes to take, but I will let you in on a secret- I haven't decided yet!!

This year all of my usual planning ahead traits seem to have taken a nap, so I am flying by the seat of my pants! I am sure I will decide soon!

In the meantime, here are 10 great recipes I have gathered from blogland to help speed my decision along! Hope you find them useful!!

Appetizers

1. Healthy Buffalo Chicken Rolls at Can You Stay for Dinner?

These look amazing- may want to try them just at home first :)

2. Turkey Cheese Ball at Gluesticks

How cute and clever is this, plus yummy!

Main Course

3. Roasted Green Beans With Shallots and Garlic at A Little Bit Crunchy a Little Bit Rock and Roll

A mix up from the usual green beans.

4.Tomato Basil Soup For a Crowd at Tales of A Trophy Wife 

I LOVE tomato basil soup- this sounds so good!

5.Butternut Squash Casserole at Let's Try These

This looks like a great way to incorporate harvest vegetables into dinner, yumm!

6.Asiago Garlic Rolls at Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker

MMMM Garlic Cheese Bread- enough said.

Desserts

7. Two Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Muffins at Scout's Stitches

These are great if you have to prepare something in a hurry, mix it together and you have some yummy muffins!

8. Owl Cupcakes at Simple Girl

Owls are so cute!! Love their little beaks

9. Peanut Butter and Chocolate Caramel Corn at A Pumpkin and A Princess

Wow, this looks simply amazing and a great treat to SHARE at a family get together!

10. Whole Wheat Pie Crust at Feeding Nine on a dime

I have been looking for a simple Whole Wheat Pie Crust forever!

I will be linking up with Under The Table and Dreaming.

Thanks for stopping by!!