Parmesan Quinoa

Looking for that perfect healthy side-dish? Look no further! Try pairing the most amazing grain of quinoa (a complete protein) with sharp, creamy parmesan cheese. The end result will leave you feeling all of those great benefits of quinoa, but you'll feel as though you've let yourself indulge! Try pairing this with fish, vegetables, you name it! This side dish is a winner, and one that I'll be making again soon!

Parmesan Quinoa

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. fine sea salt
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

1. Rinse the quinoa by placing it in a medium bowl, covering with water, swishing it around, and then draining it in a strainer. This will wash away any naturally occurring bitterness from the quinoa.
2. Place the drained quinoa into a medium pot. Add the 2 cups water, butter and salt. Bring to a boil. Lower to a simmer and allow the quinoa to bubble and cook for 15 minutes. Cook until the quinoa absorbs all the liquid. The outer germ layer will separate and the grains will look shiny.
3. Stir in the Parmesan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Suggestion: Try playing around with different kinds of quinoa. I used a red quinoa, and the color was beautiful when paired with the gorgeous white parmesan cheese!

Lemon Butter Cookies

In my last post I swore that I was back to blogging and that I had a lot more time on my hands. Well, nearly one month later, I think it's safe to say that I under-estimated how busy I was going to be! But, here I am now, and trust me, this recipe was worth the wait.

Lemon Butter Cookies. 2 sticks of butter for 12 cookies; how can it be bad? Moist, cakey, simple, and sophisticated, these cookies are a treat. Their pale color and plain look don't lend much excitement, but after the first delectable bite, you'll be won over. I'm going to need to buy more butter after this one. I have a feeling I'll be baking these again soon!

Lemon Butter Cookies by With Sprinkles on Top

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel
2 cups all-purpose flour

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar; beat until mixture is combined, scraping side of bowl. Beat in lemon peel. Beat in as much of the flour as you can. Stir in the remaining flour.
3. Drop dough by rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are light brown. Transfer to a wire rack for cooling.

Suggestion: Try adding in some orange zest too. That's what I did and the lemon and orange flavors together were really fun!

Cinnamon brie and apple grilled cheese

Last week I bought brie to make a panini with cheese, chocolate, and basil. Everyone told me that it sounded terrible, but being the stubborn person that I am, I really wanted to try it. Well, everyone was right and it wasn't so great. So this week, I thought I would make a sandwich that I knew would be amazing! Feel like surprising your palate? Want to try something different and delicious? Try this grilled cheese recipe. Sweet cinnamon bread, paired with tart granny smith apple, and creamy tangy brie leave your mouth happy and wishing for more. This dish is a crowd pleaser any time of day. Satisfying, flavorful, and something outside of the box, make this sandwich when you want to shake up your palate!

Cinnamon Brie and Apple Grilled Cheese adapted from USA Today

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounces Brie cheese, white rind trimmed, or other cheese, at room temperature

• 2 slices whole wheat bread

• 2 to 3 thin slices peeled Granny Smith or other apple

• 1 teaspoon butter, softened

• a sprinkle of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Spread the Brie on one side of each piece of bread. Place apple on top of one slice and top with the other slice, cheese side down. Spread the butter on the other sides of the bread. Sprinkle cinnamon on top of the bread with the butter.

2. Place in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until the bottom is golden and the cheese begins to melt. Carefully turn the sandwich and cook until golden and the cheese has melted completely.

Suggestion: Try mixing it up and playing around with different breads. Try sourdough to tone down the sweetness or cinnamon raisin bread to play it up! I don't think you can really go wrong here.... Enjoy! :)