Monthly Archives: June 2011

Black-Bean & Tomato Quinoa


Whether you pronounce it “KEEN-WAH” or “KEEN-AH-WAH”, hands down I love it. However, I will admit that at first glance, I was a bit skeptical of this strange, grain-like substance. But, after a few times that I of trying it, I realized that this once previously thought sketchy crop was actually quite tasty. Even though Quinoa has a unique, nutty flavor, the key to its taste success lies in the dressing (at least in my opinion).

Lately, I’ve been on a lime-kick and have indulged in any and all recipes lime-worthy. I happened to find a recipe for Quinoa (Black-Bean & Tomato Quinoa) and the dressing relied heavily on limes. So, after zesting a lime, cutting some cilantro, and cooking some Quinoa (not from a box, go me!), I was set to make this recipe!

Step 1: Chop Cilantro and Zest Lime

Step 2: Whisk Sugar, Salt, Oil, Melted Butter
Lime Juice, Lime Zest, and Pepper Together


Step 3: Cook Quinoa


Step 4: Mix Tomatoes, Black Beans,
Lime Dressing, and Quinoa Together 


This recipe is definitely very fresh and tasty. Next time, I’d love to add more vegetables and some jalapenos to add some more flair. Even though Quinoa looks a bit funky (as compared to usual pasta), I really like it. I will admit that it was a bit of a pain and hassle to make it the old-fashioned way. Next time, I will definitely look for a short-cut!

Funky, fresh, and flavorful — at least I found something to keep me satisfied for a few days!

Cheers!

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Banana Bread

So, I haven’t blogged in over a month and I’ve truly missed it. Life has been an absolute whirlwind lately. I just moved from Portland to Seattle and haven’t had the time to sit down and make a home cooked meal or a dinner that didn’t involve take-out or pasta with jarred sauce. Although the move isn’t that drastic, it is enough to make me miss home and the scenery of Portland. But, I’m excited for new adventures in a much bigger city that will surely involve experimenting with more recipes, finding new restaurants, and meeting interesting people along the way.

As previously mentioned, my roommate and I have been in the process of moving into a new apartment. Unfortunately, boxes are still everywhere and I haven’t quite made a full visit to the grocery store just yet. But, this past weekend, I was absolutely craving to bake something at our new apartment. Unluckily for me, the lack of grocery items within our pantry shelves made this desire quite difficult. As I peered around the kitchen, I noticed I had a few very ripe bananas that were in desperate need of consumption. Since banana bread requires very ripe bananas, I knew I had to make them. So, with the help of Epicurious, I was set to make Aunt Holly’s Banana Bread.

 Step 1: Find Very Ripe Bananas and Mash


Step 2: Mix Mashed Bananas with Melted
Butter, Sugar, Egg, Flour, Baking Soda,
and a Pinch of Salt 


Step 3: Bake in Oven for 1 Hour at 350 Degrees

The banana bread turned out wonderful. It added a nice aroma to our new apartment (that smells like new paint currently). But, I would definitely recommended adding four ripe bananas instead of three. I liked the flavor of this bread; however, it needed just a bit more banana accents. Nonetheless, all I had on hand was three ripe bananas. So, c’est la vie!

Anyway, I will definitely look forward to writing more blog posts about food within the coming weeks.

Cheers!

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Filed under Bake, Uncategorized