Lentil Crock-Pot chili

I always love to make a pot of chili in the Fall....And I usually have all of the ingredients on hand to make it....except for the beef sometimes... good part about making it with lentils is I would always have on hand to make this in a pinch.....Now if you like you could also add Quinoa along with the lentils....you could also add green or red pepper if you choose to....and feel free to season as you like if you have a favorite chili recipe....here is what I did.... Enjoy!!

Ingredients

1 medium onion diced

3 carrots finely diced

2 cloves garlic minced

Green or red pepper diced(optional)

Salt and pepper

Saute the onion, carrot till soft...add garlic, salt and pepper

Add to preheated to high Crock-Pot

Then add the rest of the ingredients

1 can corn

1can black beans

2 cans kidney beans

1 can petite diced tomatoes

1 1/2 cups of lentils ( if you would like to add Quinoa add 1 cup lentils and 1/2 cup of Quinoa)

5 cups chicken broth

1 Tablespoon of cumin

3  Tablespoons of chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 

Quinoa Salad/Dip

This is a really simple Quinoa salad to make....you could use this as a side dish or serve with tortilla chips to use as a dip!......I only used tomatoes and black beans but you could add other things to this also, you could add cilantro or green onion even corn!.....Be creative and ad what you like, here are the bones to this recipe,,,Enjoy!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

make quinoa as directed then cool

 

add

grape tomatoes (about 15 quartered)

1 can black beans (drained)

1 clove garlic (minced)

juice of 1 small lemon

2 Tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

dash pepper

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Mix cooled quinoa with the rest of the ingredients

cover and chill until ready to use

 

 

Cheesy Quinoa Bake

Here is a healthier version of Mac and Cheese!!,,,This is assembled pretty much the way the normal mac and cheese with pasta is, but pasta s replaced with Quinoa!....also the quinoa is cooked in chicken broth and when I made this I didn't have enough shredded cheddar on hand so I tossed in some cubed Velveeta,,,which is an option also,,,,Here is what I did,,,,Enjoy!!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 cup dry quinoa

2 cups chicken broth

 

4 oz cream cheese

1 1/2 Cups shredded cheddar

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

 

DIRECTIONS

preheat oven to 350

 

Prepare quinoa as directed using chicken broth in place of water

Once done add cream cheese, parmesan cheese and 1 cup of the shredded and mix well...add salt and pepper and stir...once mixed,,,top with remaining shredded cheddar and cover and bake for 15 minutes or until cheese is melted

 

**NOTE ( I really like the addition of Velveeta to this recipe,,,,I think I will add in future,,,it gives a nice creamy texture!)

Broccoli~Quinoa Cakes

Well here is another great way to disguise Quinoa!!,,,,Let me just say I thought these were amazing!
With this recipe it is all about cooking everything first, letting it cool and then mixing all ingredients together before forming patties. If you are not fond of Quinoa, I am sure you could do these with Rice.... Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!

 

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

1 Medium Onion (diced and sautéed in olive oil)

1 Cup dry Quinoa (cooked in 2 cups water)

4 Cups frozen broccoli (steamed)

1 Cup seasoned breadcrumbs

1/2 Cup parmesan cheese

1 Cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 Eggs (beaten)

salt and pepper

oil for frying

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

In a large bowl add cooled Quinoa, onion and broccoli

add the rest of the ingredients

Mix well

Grab a handful of mixture roll in hands and form a patty

place in a hot skillet with oil

Fry until golden brown salt and pepper each patty and transfer to a paper towel lined plate to drain

You can eat these right away or put in an oven proof dish and cover with foil to keep warm in oven at low heat

This recipe makes 12 cakes

**Note,,,,you can garnish with parmesan or top with shredded cheddar and melt also!!**

 

 

Quinoa Chili (Vegetarian)

If  you are looking for a great way to disguise Quinoa, look no further!,,,This recipe is for you!
Let's face it Quinoa doesn't have much flavor,,,,but I still love it! This recipe is how I usually prepare my regular chilli with ground beef,,,I just switched out the beef for Quinoa,,,Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 T olive oil

1 Med Onion (diced)

1- 29 0z can crushed tomatoes

1 29 oz can tomato sauce

1- 14 1/2 oz can petite diced tomatoes

2 Cups water

2- 15 oz cans kidney beans

1- 15 oz can black beans

2 Cups frozen corn

2 Cups Quinoa (cooked as directed)(1/2 cup dry quinoa 1 cup water)

1 pkg MCormick chili seasoning

salt and pepper to taste

 

 

 

DIRECTIONS

 

In a large pot saute onion in olive oil until translucent

add all of the tomatoes and water

then the beans, corn and Quinoa

add the seasoning packet

Bring to boil and then let simmer

garnish with sour cream and shredded cheddar if you like!

 

NOTE*****when making the quinoa I used 1 cup of dry to 2 cups water,,,,that made about 4 Cups of quinoa,,,if you want to have extra that is fine,,,next time I will cook 1/2 cup dry to 1 cup water, that should make exactly what is needed for this recipe!

Quinoa~Kale Soup

I know some people find Quinoa intimidating to make,,,,,but with all of the health benefits that exist in it I think it is a must try for everyone,,,,,And adding it to this soup can be an easy way to try it!,,Just some of the health benefits of it are,,,High in magnesium, fiber and phosphorus,,,,heart healthy fats,,,gluten free, high in protein and antioxidants and anti inflammatory properties,,,and I could go on and on!,,,So why not give it a try!,,,Here is what I did,,,Enjoy!

 

 

INGREDIENTS

 

2 T olive oil

1 small onion (diced)

3 celery ribs (diced)

8 Cups Chicken Broth

2 Cups Chicken Breast (cooked and diced, I use Rotisserie)

2 cans cannellini beans (drained)

3 Cups Kale (chopped)

3/4 Cup of dry Quinoa

1/2 t dry ground thyme

salt and pepper

 

DIRECTIONS

 

Saute onion and celery in olive oil until translucent...and chicken broth and the rest of the ingredients

 

bring to boil then simmer for 30-40 minutes until Quinoa swells