Quinoa and Black Beans

So, When I had Brit at the hospital, they had this "southwestern side dish with blackbeans" that I ordered with  my meal once.  Turns out it was Quinoa and Blackbeans and it just hit the spot, so I ordered it as often as I could and have been craving it for a while now.  I finally got to the store and bought some Quinoa ( the smith's by us didn't sell it, which is wierd, because Quinoa is a pretty common item) anyway, we made this the other night, even SHELDON was licking the pot...the recipe says it makes enough for 10, but it was exactly enough for our family.  Luke and Marshal loved it too.  ALSO, just in case you didn't know, Quinoa is a perfect protien, SO it's really good for you.  ENJOY!

The Recipe:

1 tsp Olive oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, pressed or peeled and chopped

3/4 cup uncooked Quinoa

1 1/2 cups chicken stock

1 tsp. ground Cumin

1/4 tsp. Cayenne pepper

sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste :)

1 cup frozen corn kernals

2(15 oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained ( we think one can is just right, if you really love the beans put in two)

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro ( awesome, but still REALLY good without it)

Directions: 

heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.  Mix quinoa into the saucepan then cover with chicken stock.  Season with Cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper.  Bring mixture to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes. 

Stir corn into the saucepan and continue to simmer about 5 minutes.  Mix in the black beans and cilantro.  Use as a side or your meal

* I'll be adding Quinoa to my food storage :)



Dinner Ideas

Angelyn inspired me to have a list of my family favorite dinner ideas posted on the inside of my pantry door. This list gives a quick reference for things to make for dinner instead of spending 20 minutes just deciding what to make. The list also increases as I try new recipes that my family enjoys, so I don't forget them, and our dinners don't get too monotonous. I also did the same lists for Breakfast, sides, drinks, and desserts, so if I'm ever hosting something or just want a variety of options, I refer to my little list. Here is my list, and I have many of the recipes somewhere on my computer, if anyone wants any. Just let me know.


Dinner Ideas

Taco soup / Zuppa Tuscana
Navajo tacos
Lasagna
Chili and cornbread/scones
Chicken/beef enchiladas (green or red sauce)
Steak/chicken with potatoes and rolls
Tinfoil dinner
Hawaiian haystacks
Chicken rice quesadilla
Irish rolls
Chicken salad in pita/croissant
Sloppy Joes/Aloha burgers
Potato logs/Pot roast
Pulcogi/ Pupusas
Tacos/7-layer dip/Chicken taquitos
Tuna melts and Tomato soup
Pineapple chicken
Pasta with tomato alfredo/marinara sauce and garlic bread/parmesan sticks
Root beer ham
Chicken BBQ pizza/Calzones
Shepherds pie
Swiss/Japanese/Polynesian chicken
BBQ country-style pork ribs
Hot-honeyed spareribs
Chicken and spinach salad
Homemade stew/White chili
Nacho casserole/Frito salad
Lemon rosemary chicken
Ham with apricot/cloves glaze
Creamy macaroni
Sticky coconut chicken w/ coconut rice
Chicken pillows
Sausage/tot casserole
Philly/roast beef hoagies with Aus Jus
Coconut chicken curry/Tikka Masala
Ham and cheese soup in bread bowls
Café Rio Sweet Pork Salad
Chicken sausage pasta
Spinach veal/chicken roll-ups
Bacon-wrapped chicken kebobs

Breakfast Ideas

Cinnamon French Toast
Pancakes with eggs & sausage/ham
Poached eggs and Toast
Crepes/waffles with coconut syrup
Coconut waffles
banana/applesauce pancakes
Milk Toast
Bread/biscuits and Gravy
Peaches ‘n Cream
Oatmeal/Super grains
Apple/banana/oatmeal/berry muffins
hash browns/farmer’s breakfast
German pancakes
Overnight Apple French Toast
Rice pudding
Sausage breakfast loaf
Breakfast Cookie
Swedish Oatmeal

Sides

Deviled eggs
Scalloped potatoes
Mashed potatoes & gravy
Fried red potatoes with seasoning
Any veggies—seasoned or cheesy
Apple slaw
Fruit & yogurt salad
Grilled pineapple/plums
Garlic butter rolls
Cornbread muffins
Buttermilk/Baking powder biscuits
Homemade French fries/Potato wedges
Scones
Tucanos colorful chef salad
Lolly’s broccoli salad
Whole wheat muffins

Desserts / Snacks

Raspberry Bread Pudding
Cinnamon breadsticks
Baked cinnamon tortilla chips/wedges
Cream cheese flan
Salty/cinnamon pretzels with dipping sauces: cheese, cinnamon cream cheese, etc.
Caramel/kettle/glazed popcorn
Candied/chocolate coated popcorn/Chex
English toffee/Brittle
Truffles: PB, oreo, cookie dough, chocolate cream cheese, red velvet (any cake + frosting)
German chocolate pizza/brownies
Pudding cinnamon rolls
Homemade Girl Scout Samoa cookies
Fruit pizza with my fruit dip
Chocolate dipped strawberries
Chocolate dipped pretzels/nut clusters
Fruit soup
Peanut butter bars/PB, mint brownies
Homemade doughnuts
Pumpkin rolls/bread
Banana bars/zucchini bread
Snickers cookies/pudding cookies
No-bake cookies/butterscotch haystacks
Fudge-white and brown
Hard tack candy
Homemade ice cream cake
Baked cinnamon tortilla strips
Cinnamon pull-aparts
Vanishing rolls
Belgian waffles w/ ice cream, fruit
Dessert crepes w/ice cream, caramel
Dulce de leche on grahams
S’mores
Banana splits
Raspberry truffle/poke cakes (BTA cake)
Coconut balls alone or w/ chocolate

Appetizers / Snacks

Spinach artichoke dip
Ham and cream cheese roll-ups
Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts
Sweet glazed meatballs/smokies
Lolly’s stuffed mushrooms
Sugar fried plantains
Caramelized nuts

Drinks

Banana shakes
Margaritas (virgin, of course)
Strawberry Daquiri
Banana crush
Orange/berry Julius
Cheesecake shakes
Apricot slush
Punch w/ fruit ice ring
Italian ice/smoothies
Homemade berry lemon/limeade
Homemade root beer
Pina Coladas