Quinoa Pizza Bites

2 c quinoa, cooked and cooled (we like cooking it in chicken broth)
2 eggs
2 cups chopped pizza toppings (pepperoni, black olives, pineapple, ham, onions, sausage, peppers, etc.)
1/2+ cup cheese, shredded mozarella (or blend)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Pizza sauce, for dipping

1. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl (without dipping sauce)
2. Fill greased mini muffin pan with large spoonful in each.
3. Bake at 350 for 12-20 minutes until fully cooked.

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I looked at a few different recipes and just put this basic one together. It's similar to most.We love just simple pepperoni, cheese and maybe with olives or something. Nothing too crazy. I also tried putting pizza sauce in the pans instead of greasing it. It worked ok, but seemed more a waste than a help.

The variations of this are endless. We also like Mexican with black beans and corn and salsa/taco sauce. And you can do larger sized in regular muffin cup if you cook for 30 minutes. But we like the small ones. You can also make huge batches and freeze. Or are great for a party appetizer.

Spanakopita (& other version)

This is our Mom's greek recipe for spinach and egg pastries. They're so yummy!

1-2 bunches fresh spinach chopped (or frozen, drained)
3-5 eggs
1/2 onion, chopped finely
1 t. dill  (opt., or cilantro) 
1/2 c. feta (or more) 
1 garlic clove (or garlic salt)
onion powder (opt. if didn't use onion above)

filo dough (pastry)
butter, melted (for dough; or half butter half olive oil)
lemon pepper (for topping)

1. Mix all ingedients together (except dough and butter)
2. Butter filo sheets (we normally use three layers at a time and cut in half so you have two long rows) and put a spoonful of the mix in the corner and fold the corner over into a triangle and then to the other side in a triangle (like the folding of a flag the army or boy scouts do).
3. Butter the ends and top. (you should have a completed triangle) Place on a tray.
4. Sprinkle all the tops with lemon pepper and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

*simple version: Lay filo down in pie or casserole dish and butter some layers here and there. Add egg mixture and then put more layers of filo on top, buttering between layers (makes them more crispy). Then sprinkle with lemon pepper and butter on top. Cook about the same about the same amount of time--make sure the inside is all cooked when done.

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Or use flour and do a puffier version...
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup all-purposeflour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon bakingpowder
3 eggs
1 cup milk
2 (10 ounce) packagesfrozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Pour butter into a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish; tiltto coat. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking powder. Whisk eggs andmilk; stir into dry ingredients just until blended. Fold in spinach and cheese.Pour into prepared dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or untila knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; cut intosmall squares. Serve immediately or transfer to a freezer container. May befrozen for up to 3 months.

*tip: To use frozen appetizers: Thaw in the refrigeratorovernight. Place on baking sheet. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 25-30minutes or until heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Simple Feta Stuffed Sweet Peppers

Mini Sweet Peppers
Feta Cheese
Basil
-opt. version: quinoa cooked in chicken broth with spinach and salt

Cut the tops off the mini peppers and take out the seeds.
Fill each pepper with some feta and sprinkle the basil into each as desired.
Place on a tray and bake on 350 for 20-30 minutes until roasted/slight browning.


**I got a bag of these from Costco, which has the recipe on the back. These look fun and colorful and would be good appetizers. Try with cream cheese for a less-healthy option, or play around with the seasoning/flavor. They also taste great stuffed with quinoa cooked in chicken broth and added with spinach and feta inside too!