With Easter around the corner, I thought that this would be a great time to share my favorite way to cook and serve asparagus. Although this asparagus is wrapped in [turkey] bacon, it has a very light taste and fits easily into a healthy diet.
Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
Serves four. (I usually double this!)
Ingredients:
1 bunch of asparagus, about 20-25 spears, stems removed
4 slices turkey bacon (you could also use pork bacon)
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 1/2 tablespoon brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top (I used a cooling rack). Spray the rack with cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together oils, brown sugar and garlic. Set aside.
3. Bunch together 5-6 asparagus spears and tightly wrap a piece of bacon around the bundle. Place on the wire rack seam-side down and repeat.
4. Using a brush, a spoon or hands ;-), brush the spears thoroughly with the oil/sugar mixture. Give each bundle a hefty sprinkle of sesame seeds. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until bacon is crispy. Serve warm.
Ingredients:
2 c. cooked white rice
2 (11 oz.) cans Mexicorn, drained
1/2 c. chopped red onion
1/2 c. chopped green bell pepper
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing
3/4 c. chunky salsa
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. chili powder
Directions:
Put salad ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine dressing ingredients. Add to salad and toss to coat. Chill.
Source: Melva Burke
I’m in LOVE with quinoa! It’s been so nice having something new and so versatile in my diet. Have you tried cooking with it yet? You really should give it a shot. My kids gobbled this right up. We served it with some chicken and carrots on the side. Made for a tasty dinner. Plus, it cooks up so quickly!
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups fresh broccoli, chopped
1 cup reduced fat cheddar cheese, shredded
Directions
1. Put quinoa, broth and broccoli to a pot and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered until the broth has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender,about 15-20 minutes.
2. Mix in the cheese, let it melt.
3. Enjoy!
Want some more Quinoa Recipes? Check these out…
Quinoa Primavera
Moni’s Quinoa Mac & Cheese
Ingredients
12 ounces, Thin Noodles, cooked & drained (look in your ethnic section, my grocery store had some Chinese noodles)
1/4 C. Soy Sauce
2 Tbsp. Sugar
4 cloves Minced Garlic
2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar
3 Tbsp. Sesame Oil
1/2 tsp. Hot Sauce (the original recipe called for Hot Chili Oil, I didn’t have it nor did I want to buy it!)
4 Tbsp. Canola Oil
4 whole Green Onions, Sliced
Directions
1. Mix all ingredients except noodles and green onions together in a bowl.
2. Pour sauce over warm noodles and green onion and mix until the sauce covers all the noodles.
3. Serve & Enjoy!
Adapted very slightly from The Pioneer Woman
Last year around this time we posted the most popular recipes of 2011. This year we thought we’d do something different…..this time we are sharing OUR favorites! Each of the Mavens has chosen their favorite personal recipe of 2012. We hope you’ll give them a try if you haven’t already!
from Emily…..Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin |
from Anna…..Mexican Street Corn |
from Melissa…..Amazing Crockpot Grits |
from Audrey…..Mom’s Rolls |
from Niki…..Cheesy Vegetable Chowder |
from Julie……Cottage Ranch Dip |
from Amy…..Cobbler Custard Cups |
from Kara…..Spinach Dip |
image source: Microsoft Office Clipart (manipulated through Picmonkey) |
Call me crazy but I love this fruit and veggie combo. It keeps pretty well in the fridge too.
Ingredients:
6 fresh sweet ears of corn, husked
1 c. fresh blueberries
1 cucumber, sliced
1/4 c. finely chopped red onion
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 T. lime juice
2 T. olive oil
1 T. honey
1/2 t. cumin
1/2 t. salt
Directions:
1. In Dutch oven bring salted water to boiling. Add corn. Cook, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. When cool enough to handle, cut corn from cobs.
2. In a serving bowl combine corn, blueberries, cucumber, red onion, cilantro and jalapeno. For dressing, in screw-top jar combine lime juice, oil, honey, cumin and 1/2 t. salt. Cover; shake well to combine. Add to salad; toss. Cover and refrigerate overnight (up to 24 hours). Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Source: Better Homes and Gardens
My husband and I are trying to eat healthier. We don’t eat a lot of meat to begin with, but we thought it would be a good idea to have one totally meatless meal a week. I thought quinoa would be a great dish to serve since it’s high in protein and a great food.
This was actually my first time cooking (and eating) quinoa, and it definitely will not be my last. This dish is so yummy and very filling. Although we ate it as a main dish, it would also make a great side dish.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
3 cups chicken broth
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed (I used light cream cheese)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3-5 cups thinly sliced or bite sized pieces assorted uncooked vegetables (I used a bag of frozen mixed cauliflower, broccoli, and carrots)
Grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
– Bring quinoa and broth to boil in a saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 20-25 minutes or until broth is absorbed. (Follow package instructions)
– While quinoa is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic in butter for about one minute, stirring frequently, until golden. Stir in vegetables. Cook about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender. If you are using frozen vegetables, you’ll just need to cook them until they are warm/hot.
– Stir cream cheese and basil into cooked quinoa. Toss vegetables with quinoa mixture and sprinkle with cheese.
Adapted from Christy’s Culinary Collection
Let it be known to all that I have finally tried Quinoa. Yes it is true. I tried this recipe that I found on Pinterest and I must say it is quite tasty.
Ingredients:
2 tsp. olive oil
1 medium leek white and green parts halved and sliced (1 cup)
1/2 cup diced tomato or red/green pepper
1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
pinch of salt
a few grinds of seasoning salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups water (or stock)
2 large eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese plus more for topping
Panko Bread Crumbs for topping, optional
1. Heat oil in medium pan over medium heat. Add leek and tomatoes; cover and cook 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in quinoa and garlic, and cook, uncovered, 3-4 minutes, or until grains start to turn opaque (they will not be fully cooked at this point).
2. Add 3 cups chicken stock and season with the salt and Seasoning Salt. Cover and reduce to medium-low and simmer 15-20 minutes or more, or until most liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat 13 x 9 dish with cooking spray. Whisk together eggs and milk in large bowl. Fold in quinoa mixture and cheese (add more cheese here if you need it). Stir well and let some of the cheese melt. It will be a little “soupy” but that’s okay, It will firm up.
4. Transfer to prepared baking dish and top with Panko Crumbs. Bake 25-35 minutes, or until browned around the edges.
TIPS: The original author of this recipe suggests using salsa, scallions, sour cream or hot sauce as toppings.
SOURCE: A Pinterest Re-Pin from Monica Nelson