Quinoa, or "Keen-Wah" if you want to be specific

So I know I know I have promised I am posting on how to make quinoa. Now I will tell you it is pronounced "Keen-wah" or "qin-wah" but sometimes mispronunciations of words drive people nuts. I am usually not one of those people and there is a woman in my office who is one of those people, so I purposely do it to drive her nuts. I know it could be considered childish but until you have dealt with her yourself (which will make you go nuts), any little victory is nice especially to keep you sanity.

So back to quinoa. So what is the deal with this quinoa stuff? Well quinoa was domesticated about 3,000 years ago for human consumption. It was used first by the Inca's. It comes from a plant where the pods that stem are edible. But why all of the sudden in this health craze day of age are they are full of essential amino acids like lysine and good quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Why am I getting into it, well I wanted something that was a healthy rice supplement since Wee Baby is on his/her way. Not saying rice is bad, but I wanted to introduce more calcium and iron in my diet.

Quinoa is a lot like rice in it's preparation even though it can remind you a little of couscous in it's shape/texture. My hidden little trick to give it a little bit more flavor, prepare it in broth. I don't care what kind, I usually use what ever to compliment the protein I am using. Now here is a very easy recipe, one of my own pot recipes. Just because it has a weird name and is uber healthy, don't be afraid. Just become one with the quinoa.

So let's start with my version of Stir-fry Quinoa

First I cut up some cooked rib meat Hubby had made the other night and let it sautee a little in the pot with a little bit of olive oil. This would be good with any kind pork, beef, or chicken product.

Then I added all my lovely veggies (with me it was tomatoes, mushrooms, and spinach.)Let those saute some until the veggies get soft.

 Next you need to add your broth/water and quinoa. Since I let the meat and veggies meld together I just added water. The quinoa cooks just like rice, so I knew those veggies and meat were going to become a broth of it's own since they will cook in the water for about 15 minutes. So add quinoa and then double the amount of water. For us, I used 1 cup of quinoa and three cups of water. Again treat it just like it's rice.

With quinoa you should stir a few times in the cooking process so nothing gets scorched. The top picture is about five to eight minutes in, the bottom is how it looks when you get close to done. You want most of the water to be gone.

What quinoa looks like up close when cooked. Yummy little balls of deliciousness.

And then once done, you serve! Enjoy a delicious and healthy bowl full or if you are like me then a bowl and a half, but I have a wee little baby inside.

Ollie loves quinoa and was sad he didn't get a bowl

So as always live, laugh, love! I will post pics soon of our growing little baby bump. Only three more weeks and I get to find out if it's a little girl or boy! What do you think it's going to be? Commence bets I mean comments below.

Announcement

So I have been leaving little notes here and there suggesting this big announcement and Hubby and I are very excited about it.

We are officially pregnant and our healthy, bouncy, and still-growing-very-rapidly baby is due July 30th! Even though we are a little over ten weeks now, this was Baby's first picture at 8 weeks. Isn't Baby just so cute!

So being the very organized and planner that I am, I am reading like crazy and following doctor's orders like I should. This way I don't end up like this.

 Thanks you all who are always there and just look forward to more posts about our journey into parenthood, more crafts (now that I have baby to craft for), recipes, and now frugal shopping.

And as always Live, Laugh, and Love!

Quick Easy Green Bean Fries

So I have been on this healthy kick lately, trying to watch my portions and what not. Hubby and I already eat pretty healthy but I have been focusing on working out and eating portions. So I thought of this dish my mom makes every now and it's delicious! I call it green bean fries. It's quick and they come out crisp like a french fry. I make these for little ones I watch every now and then and for parties, and everyone eats them up!

So it is simple. Go to your store and get some fresh stem green beans. About one handful of green beans is enough for one serving for one person. After you wash them go ahead and snap the ends off. Just the tips. Why you may ask, I have no clue, I always did this with my mom and I have always done it since. After you have done this go set your oven to broil, if possible do low broil.

Next take some olive oil and drizzle and spread on a cookie sheet. Then spread out your green beans on this pan and lightly drizzle olive oil over the green beans. Also sprinkle with salt, pepper, and maybe some garlic powder if you wish (I always do!)

With your hands mix up the green beans with the oil and spices that you picked. Once it is all mixed up place it closest to the flame. NOTE: this dish will cook very quickly, so don't just put it in and walk away. This dish should not take more than 12 minutes to cook, and I have had it done in 8 minutes.

The green beans all mixed up

Your green beans should be done in 8-10 minutes. They should be kind of crisp to the bite, just be careful because you do not want it to burn. Let it cool for a couple of minutes and you have your self a great healthy side dish. If you want to do burgers but don't want to temp yourself with potatoes, this is a great option! Enjoy and Live, Laugh, Love!!

Gamberetti Pasta Luce, or a Light Shrimp Pasta

So since Hubby came back last weekend, I decided I wanted to make him a nice home cooked meal, something a little fancy but nothing to difficult. He has also had nothing but restaurant food for three weeks so I figured, something lighter would be better.

This is so light, refreshing, and pretty healthy if you discount the pasta. But again everything in moderation!

Gamberetti Pasta Luce
- about 1 lb. of Shrimp ( we didn't have a pound so I got some imitation crab to subsitute, trust me the shrimp is better, and the crab did a bad job trying to be a crab let alone a shrimp.)

- capellini pasta
-Grape tomatoes
-1 lemon
- garlic
-spinach
-Fresh herbs,such as basil, rosemary or thyme
- Red Pepper flakes

Ok first step, get your pasta started. Set it on low and then as that is going prep your seafood. Layout all your shrimp or mixture that you deviate from and sprinkle the Red Pepper, zest half a lemon over it (safe the other half for later), some salt and pepper. Now rule of thumb with red pepper, always respect the great power of the red pepper flakes. Don't get me wrong, I love spicy food! I am pretty sure my tongue and stomach are going to start retaliating when I hit Thirty, but hopefully my Sicilian lineage with save me! But back to the Pepper Flakes, even though I love spicy food, in this dish, too much can ruin the simple taste. This dish is all about simplicity and everything melds so well.

 

Next step is to to satuee some garlic for about thirty seconds, or as Hubby said "smells garlic-tastic!". As soon as it smells wonderful then add the quartered tomatoes into the pan. Once the tomatoes are in, zest the other half of the lemon over the tomatoes. 

Next slice up or shred some fresh spinach and saute for a couple of minutes.

When the tomatoes and the spinach a close to done, place all your shrimp, or your mixture if you are a rebel like me. I like to lay all my stuff out flat and cook for about 1 minute and half on one side and the flip over. Shrimp does not take long to make. Then just mix all around.

He is such a "great" helper

 I forgot about the fresh basil so I just tore some up and threw it in there. Worked out great!

Once your stuff is done, add your pasta to the pan. Note: Reserve about 1/2 of cup of pasta water. Once your pasta is in the pan add a little olive oil and mix in with the mixture. If it is a little stiff, add little by little the pasta water, you should not need that much.

Yummmm....

Add a little fresh grated cheese over the top and enjoy!

I have more recipes up my sleeves and a craft project I am working on, so until then, Live, Laugh, Love!!

I love the Italian Flag and Food

So if you haven't read or noticed that I am Italian. I love being Italian and I love everything about my heritage. I especially love cooking it! So sometimes I subconciously catch myself sticking the colors of the Italian Flag in my meal, don't judge, you would do if your heritage was awesome to! :P

Viva Italia!

I am technically from a small town in Sicily!

So last night I wanted to whip up something quick, easy, and healthy and it's all in my repertoire! So let's get started.

Ingredients needed:
- Chicken Breast, 2-3 (more if you are making it for a huge crowd)
- Mushrooms
- Fresh Spinach!
- Grape Tomatos
- Seasonings
- Garlic
- Olive Oil

That's it, half the stuff you probably already have. Hubby and I just love fresh ingredients in our meals so I tend to go shopping often for our fresh stuff. Ok first step, slice your chicken into bite size pieces and season with all that you like. I like to stick to my holy trinity: Garlic, Basil, and Oregano. (Tip: It's so much cheaper to grow your own herbs and dry them yourselves. We need to dry soon so I will make sure to show you how, so simple!)

My sliced chicken with garlic, and awaiting everything else. Can you tell I love Garlic?

 So let your chicken saute a little bit. As it is cooking in the olive oil over medium heat, start slicing your mushrooms. Then just chunk them in. Again bite size is optimal but if you get smaller mushrooms your can just halve them and saute them that way. Again, make it your own! It's all about making it your own in cooking!

I love mushrooms, love,love, love

 Then take a hand full and a half, that's right hand full and a half. Figure it out, there is not exact measurements in my home. I like to just slice it here and there because they can get long and stringy in the pan.  Once the mushrooms are soft, throw in the spinach and saute.

Spinach is so healthy and good for you!

 Then half your grape tomatoes and saute together. Then you are done! Add Olive Oil as needed and I do recommend adding just half a cap full of lemon juice to help with the bite of the spinach, but it still tastes great with out it to!

Fin!

So when I first made this I made some risotto to go with it, yummmm. But Today I just had this and some green peas. Yummy, delicious, and healthy for you! Don't be afraid to shred some Romano or Parmesan over it. One pan, one cutting board, and one knife. Simple and quick clean up!

I am working on some baking recipes so keep an eye out soon! Until then, Live, Laugh, Love!