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.)

Pinterest Recipes

For the past couple of weeks I haven't been posting recipes that I've come up with because I've been trying out some recipes that I've found on pinterest. And, can I just say that I have loved it! It has been so much fun to try new things, new cooking techniques, and new flavors. I thought I wasn't skilled enough to do certain cooking methods, but once I decided to TRY them, I found that they weren't so difficult after all. YAY!!!

Here are some recipes I've tried that I totally recommend. (I'll spare you from the ones I've tried that I don't recommend.) I haven't posted the complete recipes for these; instead, I've given you the link to the original blogger. The bullets below the pics of the dishes are what I did differently or something Iearned in the process. If you want to make the dishes, you'll need to click on the links.

Grilled Chicken Piccata

• I've already posted about this recipe.

Lime Chicken Tacos with Garlic Fried Rice
(This photo is of the lime chicken and it is from the original blogger.)

• I did not add cilantro to the chicken. 
• I added garlic salt, onion powder, and salt and pepper to the rice. (to taste)
• I made both of these recipes then combined them and it was delicious! Plus, it helps you use less chicken since you are adding rice to the taco (or burrito), which helps the budget.

Nutella Stuffed French Toast

• I used 2 slices of thick bread and just soaked one side of each, spread the nutella on one piece on the side that wasn't soaked and then combined the two like a PB&J sammie. 
• Then I added raspberries to the top with a bit of their natural juices.

Gnocchi Chicken Soup (like Olive Garden serves)

• The secret to making yummy gnocchi quickly is the shortcut of using potato flakes. (I used potato pearls from the LDS cannery.)
• Also, I learned that it is important to make the gnocchi SMALL. The recipe says 1/2" wide but it should be a little less than that, like 1/4" wide by 1/2" thick.
• For the soup, I doubled the recipe. 
• I used dried onions and dried carrots. (1/4 cup dry onions and 1/3 cup dry carrots)
• I also used an entire bag of fresh spinach instead of what it calls for. 
• I did not add celery.

Roasted Veggies

• I can't believe I've never roasted veggies before. I have been missing out! It is incredibly delicious and EASY.
• I roasted brussel sprouts that were once frozen in a bag and one bunch of fresh broccoli. 
• I also roasted some red potatoes and added a little bit of garlic salt to those because they are so bland.
• After I tasted the finished product, my preference in order is: broccoli, brussel sprouts, then potatoes.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I should be paid for advertising pinterest. lol. If I had a dollar for every time I told someone about it, I'd have over $400 by now. lol.