Sunday, February 26, 2012

Quinoa with Mango and Curried Yogurt



I stole this recipe from Epicurious, and I'm glad I did. I loved it - it was colorful, refreshing, and a little bit different from my usual. And really quick and simple. I had it with a little grilled Mahi, and it was much better than the fish.

Ingredients
1/3 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled fresh ginger
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive
1 1/3 cups quinoa
1 pound firm-ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (2 cups)
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 fresh jalapeño chile, seeded (if desired for less heat) and minced
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint
1/2 cup salted roasted peanuts or cashews (I used cashews), chopped

The recipe goes through a complicated series of steps for cooking the quinoa. I just put it in the rice cooker with 1.5 cups of water, and it turns out perfectly.

While that's cooking, whisk together yogurt, lime juice, curry powder, ginger, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined. When the quinoa is done, fluff it with a fork and combine with the yogurt mixture Add the mango, bell pepper, jalepeño, mint, and nuts and stir everything together. That's it!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Brussels Sprout Sesame Slaw


I bought myself a mandolin slicer a couple months ago and have been looking for an excuse to use it. Enter the brussels sprouts I bought a couple weeks ago that were dying to be used, and the product is tonight's dinner. My poor husband, surely he never thought he'd be having brussels sprout slaw for dinner. The good news, though, is he loved it, and had several helpings. Took me a little while to get the mandolin down, but other than that it was pretty quick and easy. This would be great as a side dish with some fish.

As usual, I just throw ingredients together and I don't really know exact proportions of things.

Ingredients
-1 lb of brussels sprouts, shredded
-1 large red bell pepper, sliced into small strips
-half a red onion, sliced into small strips
-half a cup of peanuts
-crushed red pepper (optional)
-salt and pepper to taste

Dressing
-rice vinegar
-sesame oil
-fresh ginger, minced
-garlic, minced
-dash of honey

Heat a tiny bit of oil in a pan and add the onions. Let them soften for a few minutes, then add the brussels sprouts, bell pepper, and peanuts. Toss it in the pan a few times over the course of just a few minutes - you want it to wilt a little, but not cook all the way through. Remove it from heat and toss with the dressing. Add some crushed red pepper if you want it spicy. I didn't have any cilantro, but I think it would be a good addition. Finish with a little salt and pepper. Healthy yumminess!