Mexican Quinoa Bowl

This is one of the best go to healthy meals. It's quick, easy, and I usually have the items on hand. I add different items depending on what is in my fridge. If it could go in a burrito, throw it in the bowl!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup quinoa

1 can black beans

1 can corn

1 red pepper

1/2 onion 

1 Lime

2 Chicken Breasts 

Cheese

1 avocado

1/2 jalapeño

1 cup chicken or vegetable broth 

This serves 3-4 people

DIRECTIONS

1.    Begin by cooking the quinoa. The rule is 2:1. Cook 2 cups liquid with 1 cup quinoa. Make sure to thoroughly rinse the quinoa, about 2 minutes, then cook it how you would normally cook rice. I like using 1 cup chicken broth and 1 cup water, but you can use all broth or all water and it turns out nicely either way.

2.    I flavor my chicken with a little olive oil, cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic salt and black pepper. However you choose will work fine.

3.    Cut the chicken and red pepper into bite size pieces, and chop the jalapeño and onion. Cook all of these items in a separate pan with a little olive oil.

4.    When the quinoa is finished cooking, drain the corn and beans, and add the rest to the pot of quinoa. It will still be warm so it will heat up the corn and beans for you.

5.    Then add your cooked chicken, red pepper, jalapeño, and onion to the mixture.

6.    After you have added portions to a bowl for serving, sprinkle on a little chedder or feta cheese. Top with sliced avocado, and squeeze a little lime across the top.

7.    Eat and enjoy!

Best Chocolate Cake

This is by far my very very favorite cake. My husband asks me to make it almost everytime I make a desert. It's also great as a cupcakes! They turn out much thicker, moister, and tastier than a regular cupcake.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 

2 eggs

3/4 cup warm water

1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk and 1 T vinegar)

Bake at 325 degrees for 40-50 minutes depending on thickness of pan used. Mix wet and dry ingredients separately and then combine together. Spray pan well with cooking spray.  

Vanilla Cupcakes

I made these delicious vanilla cupcakes awhile back. We were having a party that needed lots of lots of treats so we decided to throw in something basic. These ended up being one of the favorites. 

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup buttermilk (I always use milk and white vinager its usually 1 cup milk:1 Tbls vinegar)

DIRECTIONS

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately  Slowly add dry mix to wet mix. Bake at 350º for about 12 minutes or until golden brown.

We topped these off with home maid whip cream and a strawberry to keep them light and fresh tasting!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I got this recipe from an old roommate of mine, Anna, this was her family's recipe. It is still one of my favorite cookie recipe's. The cookies are the perfect fluffiness, and aren't overly buttery. They so good! I have a lot of chocolate chip cookie recipe's that are all pretty similar. This is my go to recipe now, and the ingredients I almost always have on hand. 

INGREDIENTS

2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

Cook at 375º for 8 minutes or until golden brown. 

Nut Balls

My old roommate Alaina used to make these for me and she got me addicted. They are one of my favorite treats to have on hand and they are relatively healthy. You can usually find a batch of these in my freezer at anytime. They are so much better for you than the usual treats I have sitting around my house like cupcakes and cookies.

INGREDIENTS

Almonds

Olive Oil

Honey

Cocoa

Unsweetened Coconut

tsp Vanilla

Pinch of Salt

I honestly have no idea the amounts you are supposed to use. I always make them to taste and they turn out a little different every time. 

I usually start with about 2 cups finely ground almonds. I poor the almonds into my Blend-tech and put it on level 3 for about 5 seconds and it's already done the job. Stop it before it's complete powder, you want some chunks in it.

I add even amounts of olive oil and honey and about 1/2 cup coconut to the almonds in a large bowl. Your goal is to use enough olive oil and honey that the balls can stick together with out over powering the nut balls  You still want to taste the nut but making them a little sweeter. Also add about 2 TBL of cocoa depending on how chocolaty you want it, and your pinch of salt and vanilla. 

I usually stir with a fork. I try to add as few ingredients as I can so that they stay healthier. Add enough honey and olive oil that they stick together. Keep adding until you can role a ball, and your happy with the taste.

Once they are rolled I put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer. Once fully frozen I transfer to tupperware and leave in freezer to enjoy whenever I need a little treat. I also eat them for breakfast when I'm running late in the morning!

Enjoy!

Black Bean Burger

This isn't the best photo. All I had was my iPhone and it was dark. But know that it tasted really good! Black bean burgers are so tasty! You can eat the patty by itself and its still delicious. I made them for my husband and I and his old roommate one night with the bun and veggies, and then ate just a leftover patty the next day for lunch.

INGREDIENTS

2 slices high-quality which sandwich bread, torn into pieces 
2 cans black beans, rinsed
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
1 shallot, minced 

DIRECTIONS

I'm going to give more detailed directions than I usually do because this recipe was easier to mess up than most recipes. I tend to always try to make things healthier and I added extra veggies and less bread crumbs. Don't. It makes the patties fall apart really easily. This recipe is best to follow exact the first time and then make adjustments accordingly the next time you make it.

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Pulse bread crumbs in food processor to coarse crumbs. Spread crumbs on rimmed baking sheet and bake till golden brown. About 10 min. Let cool to room temperature.

2.Place 2 1/2 cups of the beans in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher until mostly smooth. In separate bowl whisk eggs, 1 TBL oil, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper.

3.Stir egg mixture, toasted breadcrumbs, remaining 1/2 cup beans, bell pepper, cilantro, and shallot into mashed beans. Divide into 6 patties about 1-inch-thick.

4. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch non-stick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Carefully lay patties on skillet and cook until well browned on both sides. 8-10 min.

Serve

These really are delicious and I would recommend trying them. Pair them with sweet potato fries and you won't regret it.

I got this recipe from my sister-in-law Kathryn and its in American Test Kitchen's Healthy Family cookbook.

Sweet Potato Fries

I was really craving a burger and fries one night and didn't want all the fat. I decided to make black bean burgers with sweet potato fries, and it turned out delicious! It's the perfect healthier version to a good old burger and Fries.

INGREDIENTS

2 large sweet potatoes
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons hot sauce
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Cut into wedges about 3/4 inch wide. Combine olive oil, hot sauce, and salt and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Add in sweet potatoes and toss until entirely covered.

Set the potato wedges on a baking sheet in a single layer so they don't touch. Bake for 20-30 until they are brown, flipping them once. 

Serves 4. Calories Per Serving 90. Fiber 2g. Fat 3.5g. Protein 1g.

Cook at 500ºF

Make with Blackbean Burgers.