Quinoa Pizza Bites

Mom sent me a box of quinoa at Christmas, a 'subtle' hint saying try this try this.  The last few years I have been hearing more and more about quinoa,  it is very healthy, high in protein and a healthy alternative to carbs such as rice.  I have never really found a recipe that caught my eye enough to try until I stumbled upon this one and knew right away this was the one I had been waiting for.

I already had all the ingredients on hand so I got to work. 

2 cups cooked quinoa
3 large eggs
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
3/4 cup chopped pepperoni slices (~1/2 of a 7 oz bag)
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup spinach, chopped
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried crushed oregano
pizza sauce for dipping

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix together all ingredients, except pizza sauce, pepperoni, tomatoes and spinach in a medium mixing bowl.  Split mixture into two bowls, add the pepperoni to one bowl and the tomatoes and spinach to the other.  Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each), and press down gently to compact.  Bake for 15-20 minutes.

 

I was not too sure how B would feel about the texture of the quinoa but he said they were great!  They are loaded with flavour and are a much healthier option to cure that pizza craving.  I like mine heated up with some pizza sauce for dipping, B likes his right out of the fridge! 

Enjoy :)

Black Bean Brownies

A few weeks ago Fergie shared a recipe with me for black bean brownies, she even suggested we make them for our next woodsy adventure.  Intrigued, I started looking at different recipes online and reading all the rave reviews for the bean filled brownies.  Apparently they are the best thing since sliced bread.  I figured they would taste good but didnt really think a brownie made from beans could really be THAT good.  I was wrong, these brownies were AMAZING!!!

As a true test of these brownies I gave B one, he tried it and said 'these are the best brownies I have ever had!' his exact words...they really are THAT good!


Here is how you can have your very own:

1 1/2 cups black beans (make sure to rinse thoroughly)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup quick oats
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 cup honey
2 tbsp sugar (or omit and increase honey to 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup crushed walnuts
1/2 cup chocolate chips

 Preheat oven to 350 F. Combine all ingredients except chips in a good food processor, and blend until completely smooth. Really blend well. (A blender can work if you absolutely must, but the texture—and even the taste—will be much better in a food processor.) Stir in the chips, then pour into a greased 8×8 pan. Optional: sprinkle extra chocolate chips and walnuts over the top. Cook 20 minutes, then let cool at least 20 minutes before trying to cut. Makes 9-12 brownies.

The final recipe I decided on and followed can be found here

We packed these up and piled three of us in the rig along with the four fur babies, a whole lot of winter warmies and some veggie dogs and set out for an afternoon adventure.  Everyone agreed, poochies included, that these brownies were fantastic!

Enjoy!