Tag: quinoa

Plant-Based Pesto Quinoa

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If you follow me on instagram, you know that I set two goals for the month of September: 1. better meal prep and 2. daily meditation. Truth be told, the meal prep is going pretty well. Why it’s more difficult to find the time to  literally sit still than it is to exert effort into things like shopping, chopping, and cooking is beyond me. Meditation is a work in progress…but at least the meal prep is going well. Hey, nobody’s perfect, right?!

Anyway, I typically meal prep on Sundays and I usually roast some chicken and a ton of veggies. Last Sunday, I was a little sick of chicken, so instead made a big batch of quinoa to have throughout the week. I didn’t want the quinoa tasting like bland leftovers, so I decided to mix things up and pesto-fy my quinoa….because anything with pesto is delicious, no?! Plus, not that I’m into labels or anything, but this baby also happens to be vegan/plant-based, gluten free, dairy free, and choc-full of all of your macro-nutrients. Yup, you’ve got protein, carbs, fat, and a serving of greens too – all in this one super simple dish.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 handful arugula
  • 1 bunch fresh basil leaves
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon pine nuts
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional, or sub for parmesan cheese if desired)
  • 1/2 cup organic corn

*note: all of my ingredients were organic, but if you’re going to go organic on anything, corn is the most important because conventional corn is so highly GMO. I use frozen organic corn and just thaw it out beforehand.

Cook quinoa (cook however you like to cook your quinoa. I cooked it on the stovetop in 2-3 cups water and a pinch of sea salt.) While quinoa is cooking, make the pesto by combining arugula, basil, olive oil, 1 tablespoon of the pine nuts, and nutritional yeast in food processor (I use a Vitamix.) Toast the other tablespoon of pine nuts, but be sure to watch them because they toast fast! (Truth: toasting nuts usually takes me two attempts because I forget about them and burn them the first time. Don’t do this.)

Turn heat off, but leave pot on the warm stove and stir in pesto, corn, and pine nuts. That’s it! Enjoy for lunch or dinner…all week long!

One Healthy Breakdown: Meatless Monday…and Tuesday…and Wednesday…

 

Meatless Monday in a SNAP!

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This one came out of nowhere, but was a huge hit in the flavor department! All you’ll need is a few simple ingredients and 10 minutes time, and your one-pan, warm and tasty, nutritious and delicious dish is served! Did I mention that it happens to be vegetarian, vegan, dairy, soy, and gluten free? Just sayin’…in case you care about that sorta thing. Best of all, it’s ready in a snap!

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Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cooked chickpeas (could also use 1/2 cup cooked quinoa)
  • 1 cup snap peas
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil (coconut oil would work as well)
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
  • 1 tablespoon coconut aminos (soy-free soy sauce alternative)
  • 1 teaspoon tumeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon curry powder

Directions:

Turn stove on medium and heat pan with sesame oil, chickpeas, and snap peas. After a few minutes, stir and add hemp seeds, coconut aminos, tumeric, and curry powder. Continue to cook until peas and beans begin to brown slightly (or until desired.) Turn off heat and serve…easy as that!

One Healthy Breakdown: Nothin’ but lean, green, plant protEIN!

Blueberry Honey Quinoa Pancakes

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I was going to title this recipe “Honey Blueberry Quinoa Pancakes,” but that immediately made me think of Honey Boo Boo…which is why I did not. Anyway, that’s my story. Now on to the yumminess. I often make quinoa in large batches and keep it in the fridge to throw into recipes. When it came time for a hearty post-workout breakfast this morning, I was in the mood for pancakes. So, I decided to experiment with the quinoa. Then I wanted blueberry pancakes. And so the Blueberry Honey Quinoa Pancakes were born. And thank goodness they were because they will now be a breakfast staple in the OHH kitchen. I think you’re going to like them too.

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Ingredients: (makes one large pancake)

  • 1/2 cup plain cooked quinoa
  • 1 egg (sub 1/2 mashed banana or more applesauce for vegan)
  • 3 tablespoons almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons applesauce
  • 1/4 cup blueberries
  • 1 teaspoon raw honey
  • dash of cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Heat up your pan and coat with a thin layer of coconut oil or non-stick spray. Pour mixture and flip when ready. Voilà! Top pancake with your favorites. I used almond butter, more blueberries, and maple syrup. YUM.

One Healthy Breakdown: Who knew pancakes could have so many superfoods?! Certainly not Honey Boo Boo…

Breakfast Quinoa

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Quinoa is a trendy (and yummy) little grain seed with all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Quinoa is gluten-free, cholesterol-free, full of antioxidants, and is almost always organic. Hows that for a healthy breakfast? This breakfast quinoa is just as delicious as it is healthy (and, its really healthy.) Breakfast quinoa has some serious staying power to fuel you through your entire morning. If you’ve overdone it on the oats, switch it to quinoa!

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Ingredients: (makes 4-5 servings – refrigerate extras for the whole week!)

  • 1 cup quinoa (best to pre-rinse)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1  teaspoon chia seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
  • Optional: berries, banana slices, raisins, nuts, nut butter, carob chips, etc.

Boil about 2/3 cup water. Add quinoa, almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, and chi seeds and reduce to a simmer. Cook about 10 minutes, until the quinoa has absorbed the water and fluffed up. Turn heat off and add maple syrup and your add-ins of choice. Enjoy your superfoods!

One Healthy Breakdown: this breakfast is so sweet, you won’t even know it’s healthy.