Quinoa

Super Healthy Supper

Quinoa with Mushrooms, Kale and Sweet Potatoes

The roomie and I have been on the hunt for super-healthy meals, and this one seems to meet that criteria!  Protein-filled quinoa, anti-oxidant rich kale and vitamin-packed sweet potatoes fit the bill nicely.

Ingredients:
1 c quinoa
2 tbsp olive oil
2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 in pieces
10 oz button mushrooms, quartered
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1 bunch kale, stems discarded and leaves torn into 2-inch pieces
3/4 cup dry white wine
kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 c grated Parmesan (1 oz) (We were out of Parmesan, so I used Romano we had in the fridge and it was fine!)

Directions:

1. Place the quinoa and 2 c water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until water is absorbed, 12-15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a lare pot over medium heat.
3. Add the sweet potatoes and mushrooms and cook, tossing occasionally, until golden and beginning to soften, 5-6 minutes.
4. Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute.
5. Add the kale, wine, 3/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper.  Cook, tossing often, until the vegetables are tender, 10-12 minutes.
6. Serve the vegetables over the quinoa ans sprinkle with the Parmesan.

Cost:

I used a white wine we had in the fridge that I didn't particularly enjoy, so that was nice!  Quinoa was the most expensive item at ~$5.  Kale was $2.39, mushrooms were $2.49 and sweet potatoes were $2.19.  We got 4 servings for about $3 each!

Pizza in progress...

Pizza!!

I absolutely <3 LOVE <3 this pizza dough recipe.  Easy to make and it tastes delicious ;)

Ingredients:

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast (I buy a jar of dry yeast and use it to make pizza dough all the time!)
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 cups bread flour (I use regular All-Purpose Flour and it seems to work fine)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1 vine-ripened tomato, sliced
• mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• olive oil or spray
• a handful of basil, torn
• salt and pepper to taste
• 
  
• Directions:

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes.
2. In a large bowl combine flour, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, sugar and yeast mixture.  Stir well to combine.  Beat until a stiff dough has formed.  Cover and rise until double in volume, about 30 minutes.  Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 degrees.  (If dough is not rising, your kitchen might be too cool.  Try putting the bowl with the dough on top of your stove; the heat from the warming oven will help the yeast do it's job!)
3. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface.  Form dough into a round and then roll out into a pizza crust shape.  (No rolling pin?  I used a plastic cup to roll out dough until my mom got me a rolling pin for Christmas!)
4. Transfer to a cookie sheet (or one of those fancy pizza stones for those who are lucky) and bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
5. Cover crust with olive oil (brush or spray on).  Sprinkle minced garlic over the pizza, place sliced tomatoes and mozzarella around the crust, then sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper to taste.
6. Bake for another 10 minutes in the oven.  Allow to cool 5 minutes before cutting!   

• Cost:
• I already had many of the ingredients; I picked up a tomato at Eastern Market for $1.25 and fancy mozzarella cheese for $4.99, but you could make due with some shredded mozzarella for $1.99.  I also bought an entire jar of yeast for $6.49, which can be used to make pizza all summer long!  Assuming you have some basic supplies on hand, you can make this pizza for about $5.