Dec 13, 2012

Quinoa Stuffed Red Peppers

I've been enjoying this recipe..though my photo isn't the greatest. And I play around with the seasonings and such, but this is my basic recipe. The cilantro and ginger are great in it!

2 Red Peppers, cored/seeded and cut in half
1 c quinoa
2 c beef broth
1/2 t. ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, minced
1 t cumin
green onions
cilantro
almonds, slivered
salt and pepper to taste (don't skimp on the salt!)
feta cheese (optional)

1. Roast peppers at 400 for about 15 minutes
2. Sautee ginger and garlic in oil or butter
3. Add quinoa and cumin and sautee another minute
4. Add beef broth and bring to boil; cook ten minutes until broth is absorbed and quinoa done.
5. Remove from heat and add green onions, cilantro and almonds (and feta, if desired).
6. Stiff peppers with quinoa mixture and cook 10 more minutes.

Asian Lettuce Wraps

I adore lettuce wraps when done well and have been eating these frequently! I buy the cute little Artisan lettuce (5-pack) at Costco and it makes the lettuce boats a breeze.

Meat (I use steak cut up very small)
Soy sauce (I use liquid aminos)
sweet chili sauce
optional: ginger, garlic and onion finely minced and sauteed in with the meat

Veggies (cut up super tiny)
cucumber
colored peppers
carrots

I just cook the meat with the sauces and then put them in the boat with cut veggies on top (optional is to put a little brown rice in the boat first and then the meat and veggies for a nice Asian pile-up). That's it. Simple and yummy. You can also cook some brown rice or quinoa (I like mine cooked in beef broth--maybe coconut milk?--to flavor it interestingly if you want to change things up).


no source to credit for this one. This one is mine.

Soy Sauce Alternative: Liquid Aminos

So I've heard of Liquid Aminos for awhile now, but never knew what it was, nor looked into it. Until my mom showed it to me. And funny thing is that I just started my detox diet (sort of): dairy-free, gluten-free, sugar-free, soy-free. Basically no processed foods! Crazy, but so far I haven't gotten sick yet and all the other members in my family have....

Anyway, so I bought some liquid aminos at the health food store (or aisle in grocery stoee...they're both places). I like having the small spray bottle and then buying a big bottle to refill the small one (they have gallon size). And it seriously tastes just like soy sauce, but it's healthy and has both essential and non-essential aminos in it (derived from soy, but is non-gmo--genetically modified--unlike 80% of soy products). It's all natural and a great alternative. I just try put it on things at the end, instead of beginning of cooking, so it doesn't damage the aminos. Braggs is a great brand. I get their organic Apple Cider vinegar too.

Get some and try it!
It's great to flavor meat with along with sweet chili sauce--try yummy lettuce wraps.
Or to flavor rice or broccoli and beef.
Or even in salad dressing...whatever you typically use soy sauce for.
Mom sprays it on her apple slices and that tastes great too!