Dinner

E is for, let me Explain. Bonus: Spinach Quinoa Recipe!

by Carrie Keele on April 9, 2012

Oh A to Z Blogging Challenge, how did I fall off the wagon?? You see, today I should be on H. I could tell you my reasons, I could really convince you of why I neglected to follow through. But this year is about NO EXCUSES and I am just going to pick up where I left off and keep going strong!

For lunch today, I tried a wonderful new recipe using quinoa. This is exactly the second time I’ve had the grain (have you tried it yet?) The first time I had it, it was so bland and weird tasting. But, since I bought the bag at Costco, you can imagine how much I have. And I don’t like to waste things so I had to try it again.

This recipe is definitely one to keep in the books and I think it may very well become a regular favorite. Try it and see for yourself:

Spinach Garlic Quinoa

1 tbls Olive Oil
1/2 Yellow Onion, minced
2clove of minced Garlic
1/2 cup uncooked, pre-rinsed Quinoa
1 cup Low Sodium Chicken Broth
1/8 tsp Pepper
3-4 cups fresh spinach, chopped OR 2.5 ounces frozen chopped Spinach, thawed and liquid drained
1/4 tsp fine Sea Salt

Heat the oil in a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the minced onion and garlic, stir and cook until onions are clear, about 23 minutes. Add the Quinoa to skillet. Cook while stirring frequently until Quinoa starts to turn golden brown. Then add the chicken broth and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a boil.

Cover the skillet and simmer for 13-15 minutes.

Stir in the chopped spinach. Cover the skillet and let the rest of liquid get absorbed, about 4 minutes.

Season the Quinoa with salt and serve!

{ 19 comments }

What’s for dinner? (Chicken Salad)

by Carrie Keele on March 21, 2012

Mayonnaise based dressings can add a couple hundred calories to each serving, so a typical chicken salad sandwich can have up to 500 calories!! You could avoid it altogether or come up with a healthier concoction. Use a healthier mayo option and replace half of the recipe with non-fat greek togurt. You get the creaminess you crave without the added calories!

(Healthy) Chicken Salad

4 tbsp mayonnaise (I like to use Smart Balance Omega-3)
4 tbsp non-fat greek yogurt, plain
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp dill
4 boneless chicken breast, cooked & chopped
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 med. apple, chopped
1/2 cup red grapes, cut in half
1/3 cup dried craisins
1/4 cup diced pineapple

You can start with the base of sauce & chicken. Then use the fruits & veggies you have on hand. Serve it over salad greens, small roll/croissant, pita bread, etc. So yummy!! P.S. It’s best after the first day!

1 serving size = 5 oz
Calories: 195.5, Total Fat: 3.8 g, Cholesterol: 70.9 mg, Sodium: 138.6 mg, Total Carb: 10.7, Dietary Fiber: 1.0 g, SugarsL 5.6 g, Protein: 28.1 g

{ 0 comments }

What’s for Dinner? (Petite Lasagnas)

I don’t know about you, but in our house we LOVE Italian. Pasta all the way! But, if you’re not careful, you can easily go overboard on the calories. I found this great recipe, it’s adapted from the Hungry Girl. The cool thing? Aubrey (my 11 year old) wanted to make dinner and chose this [...]

0 comments Read it all here →

What’s for Dinner? (Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup)

Um, hi! Do you remember me? Yeah so, it’s been a little while since I posted on here. Mostly life and sickness getting in the way, but no guilt. Life is all about setting and keeping priorities and sometimes that means taking a break from things that you love (like blogging!) I’ve been wanting to post this [...]

1 comment Read it all here →

What’s for Dinner? (Grilled Salmon)

For years, I’ve heard about all the health benefits of salmon & how it should be a regular part of your diet. But I just never liked it. Until now. I made this grilled salmon for Taylor’s birthday dinner (yes, I’m one week behind!) and it was deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelicious. Like for real. Like I am not [...]

2 comments Read it all here →

What’s for Dinner? (Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast)

This recipe is a family favorite … you really can’t go wrong. It comes out so juicy and just melts in your mouth.   Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast Notice how the meat is pulling apart? You really only need a fork to cut the meat. Not kidding! Ingredients1 large onion, sliced2 1/2 pounds boneless pork [...]

0 comments Read it all here →

What’s For Dinner? (Pancho Villa Baked Tilapia)

I’ve read time and again that we should be eating more fish. But fish is too hard to cook, right? Wrong! Here’s an easy (yes, easy) recipe for tilapia. One thing I love about the recipe is the easy clean up (yay for tinfoil!) The best thing? It’s yummy AND healthy. Pancho Villa Baked Tilapia [...]

0 comments Read it all here →

What’s For Dinner? (It’s Not Your Kid’s Chicken Fingers)

I’ve got just a few requirements for dinners that stick in our house. First it has to pass the kid test (I’m NOT making two meals). Second it has MY taste test. It’s not worth it if it doesn’t taste good. Third (and probably most important to me) it has to be easy. Or relatively [...]

0 comments Read it all here →

What’s for Dinner? – (It’s All in the Marinade!)

I don’t know about you, but I am all about easy BUT yummy food. In the past, this meant un-healthy food since let’s face it … we are surrounded by UNhealthy convenience foods. I’ve been on a quest to find healthy dinners (and lunches) that I can look forward to  without spending time (I don’t [...]

3 comments Read it all here →

What’s for Dinner? (Chicken Bruschetta)

In our house it was Chicken Brushchetta with salad, fresh peaches and a slice of sourdough bread. Impressed? Don’t be, it’s such an easy recipe. Honestly I don’t know why I don’t have this more often! I found this recipe on www.allrecipes.com (my ALL time fav recipe site!) Grilled Chicken Bruschetta Ingredients:1/4 cup Kraft Sun-dried [...]

0 comments Read it all here →