Quinoa Chicken and Broccoli Bake

I have seen a lot of recipes using quinoa on Pinterest, but I've never had it before so I was intrigued. It's basically like a rice and can be used instead of rice in a lot of dishes. Also, did you know it is SUPER expensive? Kindof a bummer, too, because it is actually pretty scrumptious.

I saw a recipe for a casserole that included broccoli, chicken, some sort of sauce, and quinoa, of course, so decided to try it. However, Pinterest (who spells is as quiOna) wasn't working when I made dinner tonight, so I had to wing it and make stuff up. Luckily, I had some saucy stuff in my fridge, so it all worked out.

Here is what you need:

• 3/4 cup dry quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 cups roasted broccoli (see the link for the ingredients needed to roast the veg)
• 1 cup diced, cooked chicken breast
• 4 oz fat free cream cheese
• 1/3 cup light sour cream
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 2 tsp bouillon base, chicken flavor
• 1/4 cup shredded cheese (or more if you want it to be cheesier)

Here is what you do:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees
• Cut broccoli then roast for 25 minutes (See link in ingredient list for directions on how to roast them.)
• While broccoli roasts, put quinoa, water, and bouillon base in large pot and cook according to package so it is fluffy
• While broccoli roasts and quinoa cooks, dice chicken and saute with salt and pepper
• As those first three things are happening, combine cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, onion powder, and garlic salt until well combined
• Mix all broccoli, quinoa, chicken, and sauce together and place in a small baking pan
• Cover top with shredded cheese
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and it starts to bubble a little
• Serve with a salad and side of your favorite fruit
• Serves 6 and each serving is 250 calories. (If you don't serve this with a salad and fruit, you could get 4 or 5 servings instead.)

It was delicious, so I'll make that again for sure! Plus, it freezes well. I just wish quinoa wasn't so DANG expensive. (Update: Evidently Good Earth sells it for a reasonable price in their bulk bins.)

Skinny Salad Dressing

I found the idea for this dressing on pinterest, of course, and decided to give it a whirl. It is to die for, and it is only 10 calories for a 3 tbs serving. YAY!!! I tried it on a spinach and brussel sprout salad last night and oh...my...word. I loved it! I wanna drink it, actually. lol.

Here it is in the jar. It makes one pint. 

Here it is in a bowl so you can see all the yummy strawberry bits. 

Here is what you need for one pint:

• 10 tbs sugar free strawberry jam (or any flavor you want as long as it is sugar free...that's the key to this being 10 calories per serving)
• 10 tbs apple cider vinegar
• 6 tbs water

Here is what you do:

• Stir all ingredients in a glass bowl
• Heat in microwave for 1 minute
• Stir again 
• Serve 3 tbs over salad and put the rest in a glass jar to store in the fridge

When you're ready to use it the next time, just take out what you need, heat it again for about 20 seconds, stir, and serve! Easy!

This is the spinach and brussel sprout salad I put the dressing on.

It also has almond slivers and pineapple...a smidge of each.

Britt's Apron

I was featured over on my friend's blog, Britt's Apron. Go check it out...and take some time to browse through her recipes!

She is spotlighting 25 different recipes that her friends and family make during the holidays. I shared my biscuits and gravy because we started a new tradition last year to have those on Christmas morning. They are so good!

What are your Christmas recipe traditions?