Good evening everyone!
I have to tell you that those Pumpkin Spice Whoopie Pies seriously taste as good as they look – Ms. Doughmesstic has got a serious winner on her hands with that recipe! Also FYI, if you don’t have a piping bag, just put the frosting in a plastic Ziploc bag, snip off one corner and use it as you would a normal piping bag. I am seriously craving these right now, btw. They are incredible!
In other news, I was so inspired by Caffeinated Cardio’s post this morning about setting a new personal distance record, that I hit the treadmill hard after work today. So hard, that I started feeling semi-nauseous at the end of my run…eek!
- 13 minutes @ 6.5
- 13 minutes @ 6.7
- 11 minutes @ 7.0
- 7 minute cool down @ 3.7
- Total: 4.5 miles
I was gasping for breath, but in a way, it felt really good. I knew I could do it and honestly, I don’t always push myself as hard as I could and/or should. Do you really push yourself very often?
So, tonight’s dinner has a little back story… 
In my opinion, one of the best things about reading healthy eating, cooking & recipe blogs, is all the new food items I’ve been exposed to. From almond butter to green monsters to PURE Bars – I’m not sure I would’ve ever tried a lot of the stuff I’ve had in the past year, if I hadn’t seen them featured on the blogs I know and love. One ingredient that I’ve seen over and over, but has always evaded by grip, is Quinoa!
Pronounced “keen-wa” (although I prefer to pronounce it “qui-noah” ) Quinoa is an ancient, grain-like seed that the Incas were eating in South America, waaaay before you and me. It’s a complete protein, which means it includes all the essential, amino acids that build our cells, repair tissue and play a key role in good overall health. It’s also gluten-free and high in calcium, iron and magnesium.
Ummm…does Quinoa also walk little old ladies across the street and babysit? I feel like this stuff’s got it all!
From what I can tell, Quinoa isn’t available in bulk anywhere in my area and the small bags I’ve found have all been around $12. Sorry, I’m all for complete protein sources, but not for $12 a bag! Imagine my delight though, when I found a whole box the other day, for $5…SOLD! (Locals – visit Gateway Market!)
After some thinking, I decided to channel the flavors of my Lemon Pepper Chicken with Artichoke Salsa recipe, and make…
Greek Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dry quinoa
1 cup water
2 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 red onion, diced
2 Tablespoons capers
1 lemon, juiced
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Dash of dried thyme
Dash of dried oregano
Salt & pepper
Spinach
Feta Cheese
Directions:
1. Pour water in sauce pan. When water is boiling, add quinoa, turn heat down to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, thyme, oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Toss cooked quinoa with chopped tomatoes, red onion and capers. Pour in dressing and toss to coat.
4. Serve quinoa over a bed of spinach. Top with feta cheese. Enjoy!
This stuff is so much fun to eat! If you’ve ever had caviar than you’ll know that it has a very distinctive “pop” when you bite down on it. Quinoa has got that same, great characteristic!
I wouldn’t say that Quinoa has a distinct flavor all by itself, rather, it takes on the flavor of whatever it is that you pair or dress it with. In this case, the light, lemon vinaigrette was absolutely perfect.
Topped with salty feta, mmmm…Ben and I both Loved this dish. Capital L.
I’m so glad I finally got a chance to try the mysterious and elusive Quinoa! I’m now on the hunt to find more great recipes that incorporate this ancient, little power house 
Have a great night everyone!!
~~~~~
What’s something new you’ve tried after seeing it on a blog or website?
Sometimes I push myself and other times I let myself take it easy; it’s all about how I’m feeling
I tried Kath’s maple mustard tofu and fell in love with it! Such a great flavor combo
this dish looks awesome. i too have seen Quinoa around, and prefer to pronounce it the way you do!
I feel like i’ve tried alot of different things since starting and reading blogs and i’m so thankful for that! I probably would have never tired Newman’s organic items, or popchips stuff such as that! i’m a sucker for snack food!
Oh.my.god. Those pumpkin spice whoopie pies look so good!
I have been seeing so many pumpkin recipes floating around blogs that it is hard to select one or two to try. But these would definitely be close to the top.
Quinoa is one thing that I have seen on the blogs but have also been a bit hesitant. But with your positive review, I may have to give it a shot.
Tofu is the food that I wouldn’t have tried if it wasn’t for blogging.
I would have to say PURE BARS… I’m pretty good at trying new things… but those bars are REALLY GOOD!!
I’m going to make those for a bake sale next week.
I love Quinoa. I make a great southwestern quinoa salad with roasted red pepper, corn, cumin, lime juice and olive oil. So good. I love to make large batches of it and eat it for the week
I tried a green monster for the first time last week and loved it. I also have tried many different bars. I also tried kabocha squash last night and almond butter is now my favorite thing over PB.
Mmmm quinoa! A friend put it in Tabbouleh instead of bulgar wheat and you’re right about the pop! So tasty!
I found (not on a blog, but on my Epicurious iphone app) an apple, bacon and peanut butter sandwich and tried it out – I was pretty leary at first, but it tasted pretty good! Another delicious thing I’ve tried was a lentil taco salad.
It’s definitely worth it to venture outside of your comfort zone when it comes to food – you surprise yourself sometimes at how much you like it.
I’ve read about lentils in a blog and tried them. I love love lentils now especially in curries. I’d like to try your Pumpkin Bites and Baked Banana Bread Oatmeal soon! So excited!
Do you have a Costco membership? I just got a HUGE bad at costo for way cheap. I love this stuff so much!
Confession: I have never had Quiniona but I really want to try it. I always see so many beautiful recipes using this grain. I think I just need to buckle down and do it alreday!
Glad you had a lovely dinner and a lovely day. You are quite lovely yourself so it’s only fitting.
I agree that there are SO many things I have tried bc of blogs! Over a year ago I would have never thought I would be eating oats & pb every day and using almond milk (I don’t even think I new almond existed haha)?! Your dinner looks absolutely fantastic, and why have I never seen this artichoke salsa recipe either – wow girl, you know whats up! I gotta make this soon
Have a great night!
Did you rinse the quinoa before you cooked it? The one and only time I’ve tried it, it had a “dirty” taste to it, then later I read somewhere you’re supposed to rinse it.
I’ve tried a lot of different things after reading about them on blogs, but my favorite is Larabars!
Funny you mention trying new things because I baked my first spaghetti squash tonight and LOVED it. I would have never tried that if I didn’t read healthy eating blogs. I was also eyeing the quinoa today in WF and almost bought it so it may be my next experiment!!
Quinoa is the best! I feel like there are so many things you can do with it.
I try to push myself at least once a week during my runs. I usually incorporate 2 minutes of sprinting intervals with 2 minutes of jogging. I also think it’s less boring that running the same speed on the treadmill.
Oats is definitely the #1 thing I’ve gotten into because of blogs! I used to eat cereal every single day!
We pronounce it your way too! The “correct” way just sounds so akward!
I had great ground turkey and quinoa in lettuce cups the other day. Still waiting for the recipe, but I know the turkey was seasoned with soy. It was almost like ground turkey tacos, but instead of tortillas, my friend used lettuce and we ate them like tacos. It’s good stuff!!
I’ve bought quinoa in the HyVee health section and I don’t think it was very expensive -the Bob’s Red Mill brand, I think. I have a great recipe for quinoa with sauteed corn, scallions and a little bit of cheddar cheese. Since quinoa doesn’t have an overpowering flavor, it sometimes makes a good sub for brown rice.
Mmm it’s been far too long since my last quinoa dish–thanks for the reminder!
Well, I tried a stuffed squash today!
I’m not a big fan of quinoa, unfortunately…they taste bitter to me! And kind of…fishy?
I’ve tried green smoothies, oatmeal, and butternut squash. I love all of them!
Green monster and almond butter are both foods that I discovered on blogs.
I use quinoa a lot. I make a spanish salad with it-it includes, black beans, jalapeno, red onion, pepper and then cilantro, cumin and some lime juice.
Quinoa is awesome! It also works as an oatmeal substitue for breakfast – my sister eats it almost every morning! I prefer it as a dinner dish but it’s not bad with a little brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg either.
~Kim
If you are ever up in Ames check out Wheatsfield Coop (anyone can shop there). They have a whole bulk aisle and the prices are great! Also they just have all kinds of cool stuff.
Kristen, your salads look fantastic! You can find quinoa a bit cheaper in some hy-vee’s where the sold by the pound nut and grain dispensers are. I hated spending an arm and a leg on this yummy product too – but the cost seemed to be a little lower in bulk. It’s great warm and cold!
We LOVE quinoa! I get it in bulk at the Stringtown Grocery store in Kalona. If you’re ever heading to Iowa City for a football game, plan a little extra time to swing by the Stringtown store. I get my brown rice in bulk there, too. Oh and 50 lb. bags of old fashioned oatmeal and whole wheat flour.
They take cash or check and I think they are closed on Monday’s. Not sure what Saturday’s hours are.
Here’s our favorite quinoa recipe!
1-2/3 c. chicken broth (I use 1-2/3 c. water and 2 bouillon cubes)
1 c. quinoa
1 c. minced onion
1 T olive oil
2 t. minced garlic
1 t. toasted cumin seeds (or just throw in some ground cumin)
1/2 c. diced roasted red peppers
1 bay leaf
2-3 T. minced fresh cilantro leaves (I’ve used dried, but fresh is much better!)
1) Rinse quinoa under cold running water and drain well.
2) In a saucepan, cook onion in oil over medium heat until softened. Add garlic & cumin seeds and cook, stirring one more minute.
3) Add broth, red pepper, bay leaf, & salt. Bring liquid to a boil, add quinoa, and simmer covered for 15 minutes.
4) Remove pan from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro and serve.
Enjoy!
Here’s another one that I have in my recipe box, but haven’t tried yet…
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-and-Black-Beans/Detail.aspx
The breakfast cookie from your website!
You also influenced me to really try blueberries as well. Right now, I’m itching to try the Green Monster! I feel like I owe you so much…
I’ve never tried quinoa before but seeing it all over the food blogs makes me wanna try it
Hey, thanks for the shout-out!
P.S. I LOVE feta; it’s the best!
This looks really good! I just got some organic pepper and Himalayan sea salt from Sustainable Sourcing https://secure.sustainablesourcing.com and I think I’ll try them both out in this recipe. Thanks for sharing!
I love Quinoa!
Here is another great recipe using quinoa-
http://www.kripalu.org/article/414
it has nothing to do with politics… The President features always stated it’s important to getting a good education.
ooooooh i love the recipes in this post. some of my favorite ingredients used here!
[...] Wednesday: Greek quinoa salad [...]