My new love: Quinoa

Tonight while cooking dinner I was thinking I needed to write a new post.   I thought about doing a post on my favorite kitchen gadgets, but then while eating dinner tonight I quickly grabbed my phone to take a quick picture of our meal and knew that was what I had to blog about!  Tonight I cooked chicken and quinoa stew.  I have had quinoa salad once before, but I was not super impressed.  But tonight, the quinoa in this stew was really amazing.  I am now searching for new Quinoa recipes as it is going to become a staple in this house.  I hope you guys enjoy this recipe as much as we did!

Chicken and Quinoa Stew

Adapted from: The Sisters Cafe

• 2 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 sweet peppers, I used one red and yellow
• 1 zucchini, quartered and sliced
• 1 yellow squash, quartered and sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, scrubbed and cubed into 1" pieces
• 32 oz chicken broth
• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes 
• 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa (I used 1/2 cup uncooked and followed the directions on the package)
• 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked, shredded and seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper.
• 2 T Dijon Mustard
• 1 T Hot Sauce
• Kosher Salt and Fresh cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh italian parsley, chopped

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.  

Saute onion, carrots, peppers, zucchini, squash and garlic until all veggies are softened.  

Stir in chicken broth, tomatoes and potatoes.  

Increase heat to high just until broth starts to boil.  

Reduce to medium high and cook potatoes for 15 to 20 minutes or until fork tender.

Reduce heat to low and stir in quinoa, chicken, dijon mustard and hot sauce.  

Season to taste with kosher salt and pepper.  

Stir in fresh parsley and simmer until ready to serve. 

Enjoy!:) 

2 minute Boo Boo Pie

There is a famous little restaurant, Patti's 1880s Settlement, close to where I grew up.  They are known for two things: pork chops and pies.  My favorite pie there is the Boo Boo pie.  A brownie like pie with coconut.  It is amazing!  I have been making brownies in a mug for some time, but had the bright idea to "spruce" up my recipe by adding a few things and adding coconut!  And the best part is, you cook it in the microwave and can whip this little bad boy up in 2 minutes!

Now, I have sweet friends who do not like coconut, but do not run yet!  Get creative.  Leave out the coconut and add your favorite add-ins, or just eat it brownie style.  I don't think you will regret it!

But I warn you, these are so easy and so good, you may have them every night!

2 minute Boo Boo Pie

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut (or your favorite add-in) 
• pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons milk or coffee (i use milk)

In a coffee cup (or mug ), stir together the dry ingredients until no lumps remain. 

Stir in the milk, vanilla and melted butter.
Cook for 1 minute (check around 30 though. Different microwaves cook differently.) 

It should be a little gooey when finished. 

Top with Whipped Cream or Ice Cream.

Enjoy! :) 

(Mr J and I share one mug!)