{Foodie Friday} Crazy for Quinoa

I love food. I mean I really love everything about food. I love to eat it, I love to buy it, I love to cook it and I absolutely love to create with it. One food that I have been experimenting with a lot lately is quinoa. As a part of the 21 Day Fix, a workout and nutrition regimen by Autumn Calabrese, quinoa has become a vital everyday staple for me as it counts as a protein since I am a vegetarian. Its been so fun to work with this superfood, its such a versatile dish that can be enjoyed a variety of ways.

 Quinoa Superfood Bowl

 

 

  

This dish is a little slice of heaven in the world of clean eats. For this bowl, I layered a 1/2 cup of quinoa, three vine tomato slices {diced}, 1/2 an avocado {diced}, 2 tbsp of corn {frozen, thawed}, 2 tbsp lima beans {frozen, thawed}, 2 tbsp feta cheese, and a few slices of fresh jalapeno. Drizzle on 2 tsps. of olive oil and 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar along with a dash of pink Himalayan salt and pepper.  All of this is served chilled, even the quinoa and it is absolutely amazing!

 

The secret to great quinoa that has a rich flavor is cooking it in broth vs. plain water. I use vegetable stock, but chicken or beef stock could be substituted. The quinoa absorbs all of the broth as it cooks and delivers all the flavor in return.

 

 

Naked Fiesta Quinoa Salad

 

 

 

 

This recipe is a healthier alternative to Mexican Night or "Taco Tuesday" as it has been trending as of late. Instead of filling taco shells or a taco bowl with fatty hamburger and loading it up with all the cheese in the land, try this version:

~ 2.5 cups Greens Trio

~1/2 cup freshly prepared {warm} quinoa, mixed with Taco Seasoning {season to taste}

~ 1/2 cup Sauteed sweet peppers



~Fresh vine tomatoes, 3 slices {diced}

~1 tbsp pickled jalapenos

~1 tbsp feta cheese

~1 {100 calorie} cup of Holy Guacamole

~1 tbsp Lite Southwestern Ranch {I used Kroger brand}

~Dash of Louisiana Hot Sauce

 

Finally, for those of you that want the benefits of a healthy quinoa dish but prefer to whip up something quick and effortless then this next item is for you!

 

Morningstar Roasted Garlic and Quinoa Veggie Patty

 

 

I cannot begin to say enough good things about this new product from Morningstar Farms! I appreciate a good veggie burger and I was a bit hesitant when I picked this up in the grocery store, but it has since replaced my regular veggie burger that I had been preparing for years. And the best part about it? You can pop it in the microwave for 1:15 and its ready to go! For a crispier patty I do recommend preparing it in a pan with a little coconut oil on the stovetop. Either way-- its delicious. Here are a couple ways that I have experimented with this gem:

 

 

 

 

I served the patty naked over a bed of kale topped with Bolthouse Farms Greek Yogurt dressing in Caesar Parmigiano, a side of garlic roasted brussel sprouts, 1 {90 calorie} light Flat Out, 2 tbsp of original hummus topped with feta and cherry tomato and a side of buffalo cauliflower. 

 

 

I took a more original "sandwich" route with this meal. I sliced the patty in half and stacked it between layers of 1 {100 calorie} Holy Guacamole and reduced fat cheddar cheese on one piece of toasted Ezekiel bread along side steamed veggies and 2 tbsp of horseradish sauce.

 

 

I hope you guys enjoyed my quinoa creations! This has been a fun first week as a blogger. Have a great weekend, see you Monday!