crunchy quinoa salad with peanut vinaigrette

It's the beginning of the school year, so to say things are busy right now is a bit of an understatement. Meals like this one - which can be enjoyed hot, room temp, or cold, and can be eaten all week long - are just perfect right now. 

This quinoa is a new favorite, with its crunchy texture, gorgeous colors, and un.real. dressing. I hope you'll give it a go!

Crunchy Quinoa Salad with Peanut Vinaigrette (just barely adapted from In the Loop)
serves 4-6

for the vinaigrette, you'll need:
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon raw honey
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon olive oil

for the salad, you'll need:
3 cups cooked quinoa
juice of 2 limes
3 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup diced green onions
1/2 cup roasted, salted peanuts
2 cups cooked, shelled edamame
for serving: lime wedges, avocado, sriracha

Whisk together all of the vinaigrette ingredients until well combined. (You may have to microwave it a bit to thin the peanut butter and honey.)

In a large bowl, stir all of the salad ingredients together. Fold in desired amount of dressing. Taste for seasoning and add salt, pepper, and/or more dressing as necessary.

Serve in bowls with slices of avocado on top and drizzled with as much sriracha as you like.

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crockpot vegetarian quinoa chili

As the weather cools down and the holidays start approaching, there's a bounty of comfort food and dessert recipes. And while I am not one to mind that at all, I find that I need some inspiration for lighter, healthier meals this time of year. If you're feeling the same way, this dish is for you; and even if you're not feeling the same way, this dish is for you!

This is honestly one of my favorite chilis I've ever made, plus it's vegetarian, healthy, and so easy you'll think you forgot to do something. The directions go something like this: put everything in your crockpot, walk away for as long as you want, ladle into bowls and top however you like. How great does that sound? And if you're worried about serving this to any carnivores in your home, don't be; my meat-loving husband devoured two bowls of this with nothing but high praise. :)

Crockpot Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
serves 6

you'll need:
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, diced
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
2 (14.5 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen corn
1 1/2 cups vegetable stock
for garnish: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, avocado

Place all ingredients (except garnishes) in slow cooker and stir together. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

To serve, ladle into bowls and garnish as desired. Enjoy!

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creamy avocado and corn quinoa salad

As promised... more corn!

With the official start of school next week, I'm going back to packing my lunch every day. While this can sometimes get a little monotonous, it's salads like this one that get my through the whole week without boring me one bit.

In fact, I've been making this salad all summer long and haven't tired of it yet. The creaminess comes from a dressing of avocado and lime, and the raw corn and green onions give it a great crunch. With a little cheese and quinoa to bulk it up, this is a pretty perfect meal all around.

This is a fantastic meal on its own, and we've also enjoyed it as a side for dinner with tequila-lime chicken - also great!

Creamy Avocado and Corn Quinoa Salad (adapted from What's Gaby Cooking)
makes 4-6 servings

you'll need:
1 cup cooked red quinoa
4 ears of corn, kernels removed (about 3 cups if you're using frozen)
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely diced
2 green onions, sliced
1 handful cilantro, chopped
2 limes, juiced
2 tablespoons feta, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
1 avocado
salt and pepper

In a large bowl, mix together the quinoa, corn, jalapeno, green onions, cilantro, half of the lime juice, feta, chili powder, and pepper jack.

Remove the avocado from the skin and discard the seed. Place the flesh of the avocado in a blender with the remaining lime juice. Blend until smooth. If necessary, add 1-2 tablespoons of water to thin it out to the consistency of mayonnaise.

Pour the avocado dressing into the bowl and toss until well combined. Taste for seasoning and add salt and pepper as necessary. If desired, garnish with a bit more feta and cilantro. Enjoy!

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greek roasted shrimp with olives and feta

Ohhh I am so excited to share this recipe with y'all! A couple weeks ago, The Naked Grape sent me their lovely Summer White Blend, and I immediately started thinking about how I could use this delicious, refreshing wine in a great summer meal. And while I still have about a million ideas floating around in my head, I think this one is definitely a winner!

This is a light and easy meal that is on the table in no time. Shallots, garlic, oregano, tomatoes, wine, and kalamata olives combine to make a vibrant, zesty sauce for the shrimp to roast in. Top with feta and breadcrumbs, and you have the best one pan meal ever! The Summer White Blend works perfectly here because its crisp, citrusy notes just brighten the whole dish up.

I served ours over quinoa, but it would be equally amazing straight from the pan with some crusty bread to soak up all those amazing juices. A fabulous summer supper!

Greek Roasted Shrimp with Olives and Feta

serves 2-3

you'll need:

olive oil

2 shallots, minced

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/3 cup The Naked Grape Summer White Blend

1 (1 14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes

2 teaspoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

zest of 1 lemon

3/4 lbs. peeled and deveined shrimp
1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives, torn or cut in half

5 oz. feta cheese, crumbled

3/4 cup panko bread crumbs

3 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, minced

juice of 1 lemon

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Heat a bit of olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping the pan. Cook for about 3 minutes, until the wine has reduced about halfway. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, lemon zest, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove skillet from the heat and place the shrimp in one layer over the mixture in the skillet. Sprinkle the olives and feta over the entire thing. In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, then sprinkle over shrimp-feta-tomato mixture.

Transfer skillet to oven and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven, squeeze the lemon juice over the top, and sprinkle with parsley. Enjoy over quinoa, rice, or pasta, or simply serve from the skillet with a good hearty bread.

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fiesta quinoa bowl

Life right now... it's a little insane.

As a teacher, May is always the craziest month. It's full of programs, field trips, final tests and, of course, the anticipation of summer ahead.

It's easy, no fuss dishes like this one that help me out in May. This Mexican-inspired vegan dish is simple and delicious, and perfect for healthy lunches all week long.

Here's to feel-good food and powering through!

Fiesta Quinoa Bowl
serves 4

you'll need:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 chopped small onion
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 seeded and chopped jalapeno
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon cumin
dash of cayenne
1 (15 oz.) can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn
1 cup quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste
for serving: lime wedges, cilantro, sliced jalapenos (optional)

Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and spices. Cook for 3-4 minutes, until onions and peppers are softening. Add black beans, corn, quinoa, and vegetable broth and turn the heat up to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat to simmer. Cook uncovered until the broth is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked, about 20 minutes. Check for seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with lime wedges, cilantro, and sliced jalapenos, and enjoy!

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