Grilled Corn & Cheddar Quinoa

There comes a point in someones life when you realize that you need to change a few bad habits.  I had a horrible habit of not eating healthy.  I was always on the go and I was spending too much money on food that was not good for my body.  With that said....I have decided to live a healthier lifestyle. 

While reading a few health blogs I noticed a lot of recipes with quinoa.  I had never, ever in my life heard about this stuff. 

So being a curious person and always wanting to learn more about everything, I started my research on what this wonderful thing everyone was blogging about called quinoa.

What is quinoa? 

Quinoa is technically a seed, but it's often considered a grain because of it's taste and texture. 

• It's high in fiber
• Packed with proteins
• Low glycemic index
• Wheat and gluten-free
• Filled with nutrients

So I decided to give it a try.  Here is the first recipe I tried with the quinoa and I have to say it was DELICIOUS!

I hope you like it.

Grilled Corn & Cheddar Quinoa
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
4 ears of sweet corn
2 tablespoons butter
4 ounces cheddar cheese, freshly grated
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Shuck corn, wrap it in foil and bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes at 450 degrees. Unwrap foil, put the corn under the broiler and broil for several minutes, until it is lightly browned.
Allow corn to cool, then cut the kernels off the cob.
Note: You can also use the frozen broiled sweet corn.
Bring chicken stock to boil, add quinoa and reduce to a simmer. Cover and let cook for 15-18 minutes. You can also cook the quinoa on the rice cooker. Immediately stir in butter and cheddar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add in corn and half of the cilantro and stir to combine. Top off with the rest of the cilantro.

Enjoy :)

The best Chocolate Banana Bread...EVER

The other day I went to the supermarket and they had the bananas on sale, buy one get one free.  I asked myself, what am I going to do with so many bananas??? What else...a chocolate banana bread.

I've tried this recipe with, both, white chocolate chips and chocolate chips.  I have to say I like both versions of the recipe.


Ingredients
2 cups of plain flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 stick butter (4 oz)
1 cup caster sugar
4 ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips (you can also use white chocolate chips)
Instructions
  
♥ Preheat the oven to 355 degrees Fahrenheit. Generously spray a loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.
♥ Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl.
♥ In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, butter, bananas, eggs and vanilla.  Once combined, add the dry ingredients and mix.  Don't over mix.
♥ Add the chocolate chips.
♥ Pour the batter into the loaf pan and bake for an hour or until the bread is tested with a butter knife.
♥ Leave to cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then turn onto a wire rack to cool.

Lentil and Beef Soup (Asopado de Lentejas)

Ever since I was a child I remember my mother making Lentil Soup "Sopa de Lentejas".  Last Sunday afternoon she taught me how make it.  It's a soup with burst of flavor and it's extremely easy to make.  Just wanted to share with you the recipe for this yummy soup.

Ingredients

12        ounces of lentils
10        cups of water
1          pound beef
1          medium onion
1          cup cilantro
4          cloves garlic, minced
1/2       green pepper
1/2       tsp cumin
1         beef broth cubes
2         tbsp olive oil
2         packet ham flavor seasoning (I use Goya)
1         packet Sazon Goya (with cilantro and achiote

You must soak the lentils in water for about 2 hours before you start making the soup.

Put the beef to boil in 5 cups of water for half and hour.  In the mean time chop the onions, pepper, cilantro and garlic.  Drain the water from the lentils that were soaking.

After the beef has boiled for half hour add the lentils and the additional 5 cups of water.  Then, add the onions, peppers, cilantro, garlic, cumin, beef broth cubes, olive oil, ham flavor seasoning and sazon goya.

Let everything boil for about half an hour or until lentils are cooked.

Enjoy!