BEST BITES: QUINOA CAPRESE SALAD

I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe yet.

Ridiculous.

It's one of my vegetarian, healthy recipes that even the carnivores in my life love. 

It's ridiculously easy to make, and it's full of protein and fiber. The mozzarella is creamy and salty, the sundried tomatoes are slightly sweet, and the quinoa is super filling!

What you need to make it happen:

- 1 cup quinoa

- Basil leaves

- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes

- 1/2 cup mini mozzarella balls

- olive oil (preferably garlic or basil infused!)

- salt & pepper to taste

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Cook your quinoa to the directions on the package, and set aside to let cool.

Step 2: Once cooled, stir in your basil, sundried tomatoes, mozzarella, and 2 tablespoons olive oil.

Step 3: Season to taste with salt & pepper.

Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve!

 Garnish with a few basil leaves:

Do you have a favorite healthy recipe to make?

Leave the recipe in the comments, I'd love to try it out!

xo, LP

Looking for more Quinoa recipes?

Try my Garlic Parm Quinoa or my Quinoa Stuffed Peppers!

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Find me here ---> @lpodlich

PARMESAN GARLIC QUINOA (you'll never eat mac & cheese again!)

I love quinoa.

Being a vegetarian I used to eat a lot of pasta, but lately have been trying to eat a little less processed pasta- especially boxed mac & cheese. I am in NO means claiming to be a part of any whole30, paleo, ANYTHING, just realized every time I ate boxed pasta I felt sleepy & sluggish. Thus, I've started eating quinoa more and more. For those of you who aren't totally behind it, I totally get it. I know it's a texture thing for a lot of people, but I promise once you learn how to cook it properly and infuse it with great flavor, you won't go back!

*oh, and quinoa is not the most appetizing to look at or photograph. bear with me *

What you'll need:

1 cup quinoa, rinsed

2 cups water

1 medium white onion (cut in 1.5 inch strips)

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

2 teaspoons dried basil

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (part of which for garnish)

How to make it happen:

Step 1: RINSE YOUR QUINOA. Don't be lazy. It takes two seconds! Rinse in cold water. Your stomach will thank me later. I won't get graphic but that's all I'll say.

Step 2: Heat up your olive oil in a large sauce pan and saute your onions for 4-5 minutes. Throw in your garlic for a minute, stirring so it doesn't burn.

Step 3: Add in your water and quinoa and cover the pot, bringing the water to a boil.

Step 4: Bring down to low and allow to simmer. Quinoa should take about 15 minutes to cook or so- but you'll know when there is a ring around the outside and the center is clear- plus about all of your water should be absorbed!

Step 5: Mix in your salt, basil, black & red pepper, and 1/3 cup of your cheese. If you want it a little more creamy, go ahead and add more!

Step 6: Dish it up while hot and sprinkle with pepper and cheese for garnish!

You'll be left with a creamy, salty, smooth dish! It's really worth it to use good, grated Parmesan cheese- the flavor will be so much better!

Willing to give up mac & cheese for this?

Try it friends. It's seriously delicious!

xo, lp

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Want an even healthier, VEGAN quinoa recipe?

Check out my veggie quinoa stuffed peppers!

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Quinoa Stuffed Peppers (Vegan!)

When it comes to quinoa, people fall into 4 categories:

1. They've never heard of it

2. They've never ordered it because they don't know how to pronounce it.

3. They've had it made poorly (squishy, slimy) and hate it.

4. They've had it and  love it.

 Well, none of you can be #1 anymore, or #2, because it's pronounced : KEY-nua or KEY-nwa. (Note: it is NOT pronounced kih-NO-ah or KWEE-no-ah). If you were #3, have some faith! I promise when done well it's great. All of you should be #4 after making this recipe...

I'm not being up on a high horse here, I've been all 4 of those categories before. Before I lived in South America I didn't know what it was for a while, and then had seen it but couldn't pronounce it. Then while backpacking through Bolivia I had it all. the. time. Most of the time in a pretty gross way. Now? Now I love it.

What you'll need to make it happen (serves 2):

1/2 cup quinoa

1 cup vegetable broth

2 red bell peppers

1 carrot or 4 baby carrots, cut in small rings

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 medium onion, diced

1/2 small jalapeño, diced

1/4 tsp paprika

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp sea salt, divided

sprinkle dried parsley

1 tsp olive oil

How to make it happen:

Step 1: Drizzle a little olive oil in a saucepan and cook your garlic, onion, jalapeño, and carrot for 1-2 minutes on medium heat.

Step 2: Add your vegetable broth and quinoa and cook as directed on the box. I always cook for a minute or so less, to avoid the quinoa overcooking. You'll know when it's ready when the center is clear and there is a milky ring around the outside. Once cooked, add in your pepper, parsley, paprika, and half your salt.

Step 3: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and hollow out your peppers, throwing out the insides, and cutting off the top. 

Step 4: Place your peppers on tinfoil on an oven safe pan or dish.Fill them will the quinoa mixture, packing it in and replacing the tops.

Step 5: Brush the peppers with olive oil and sprinkle with the rest of your sea salt. Wrap loosely in tinfoil. Bake for 1 hour in the oven.

Step 6: Let cool for 5-10 minutes, uncover- and enjoy the pepper and the mixture inside!

Like I promised when I made my kale chips and cabbage salad, I'm going to start sharing some of my healthier recipes on the blog, and this is one of them. Quinoa is a great source of protein, and although it is still high in carbs, it has much more nutritional value than things like white rice and pasta. 

Once your get your veggie broth to quinoa ratio down, it should never come out crunchy or slimy! This is a great vegan dish- in case you have any vegan & vegetarian friends out there.

Before this post, which category (1,2,3,4) did you fall into?

Seriously, share!

xo, lp