April 23, 2013

Quinoa Casserole

Well, hello there!  I have been as busy as a bee with the grand opening of TimeCycled, my awesome vintage shop on Etsy.  It's been great fun scouring thrift shops, yard sales and auctions to find neato merch to include in my new shop.  Ivy Lane Designs is still going strong with 5,669 sales, offering handmade recycled nifty gifties.  Check them out!  

Tonight I made a healthy quinoa casserole that we thoroughly enjoyed.  It's vegetarian, or vegan, and gluten-free.  Feel free to substitute whatever veggies you have on hand for those listed.  This recipe is super versatile.  I included cilantro because we love it!  If you're not a fan, just omit it.



QUINOA CASSEROLE

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INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
  • 1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
  • 2 cups vegetable stock
  • 1 onion, chopped (I use a large white one)
  • 1 green or red pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 cup zucchini, cubed (about 2 small)
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
  • 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • 2 teaspoons chili powder
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • Salt
  • 2 cups pepper jack cheese, shredded (we use dairy-free Daiya brand) - this will go on top, so do not mix it in with the rest

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375ยบ F.  Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.  Set aside.

Place the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer and rinse throughly with cold water for at two minutes.  Drain.  In a medium saucepan, heat 2 teaspoons olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add the quinoa and cook, stirring, for one minute.  The quinoa will begin to dry out and pop a little.  Add the vegetable stock.  Stir and bring to a boil.  Turn the heat down to low and cook, covered, for 15 minutes.  Remove the pan from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add onions and peppers and cook, stirring occasionally until soft, about 5 minutes.  Add garlic and zucchini and cook 3 more minutes.

Transfer quinoa to a large bowl.  Add onion mixture, beans, green chiles, tomatoes, corn, cumin, oregano, chili powder, lime juice and salt to taste.  Mix thoroughly and transfer to prepared baking dish.  Bake 30 minutes, top with cheese and bake 10 minutes more or until melted and just beginning to brown.

Serve and enjoy!

~Merrill ♥ 

 

November 19, 2012

Mexican Casserole with Cornbread Crust

I love casseroles, Mexican food and cornbread!  This Mexican casserole with cornbread crust is a marriage made in heaven.  My beloved declared that he could eat it three or four times a week.  Need I say more?  It is super easy to make, and yummy!


I will share with you from the get-go that I made my Mexican casserole vegan style, but do not freak out as meat eater instructions are included as well.  My vegan version is for my husband who took the plant-based plunge about four months ago.  At last count, he had lost 39 lbs. and feels like a million bucks!  Read my blog post about why and how he did it.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup milk (I used soy.  We drink almond milk and use it in our cereal, but it's a tad on the sweet side.  For savory dishes, I prefer soy milk)
  • 1/4 cup apple sauce OR 1 egg, lightly beaten (use one or the other.  Not both!)
  • 1 can (14 oz.) cream of corn
  • 1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chilies, drained
  • 1 packet of taco seasoning, divided
  • 1 cup (8 oz.) shredded cheddar and/or Jack (I used Daiya brand, equal parts pepper jack and cheddar - melts like a dream)
  • 8 1/2 oz. corn muffin mix - Jiffy contains lard (pig fat), just so you know.  If that's okay with you, then use one box.  I use appx. 2/3 of a box of Yankee Cornbread & Muffin Mix by Gluten Free Pantry, owned by Glutino. 
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large white onion, diced
  • 1 can (10 oz.) enchilada sauce, divided
  • 1 can (14 oz.) chili beans
  • 3 cups cooked meat (like shredded rotisserie chicken or ground beef), or meat substitute.  I used fake chicken, but Boca crumbles work nicely, too.
  • Fresh cilantro for garnish, chopped


DIRECTIONS

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees and grease 9" x 13" baking dish.
  • In a bowl, combine milk, egg OR applesauce, cream of corn, chopped green chilies, 1 1/2 teaspoons of taco seasoning and 1/2 cup of shredded cheese.  Add dry corn muffin mix and stir until just combined.  Pour into greased 9" x 13" baking dish and spread evenly.  Bake for 20 minutes.
  • While the corn bread is baking, heat olive oil and brown onions over medium high heat.  Add meat or meat substitute the remaining taco seasoning, chili beans (don't drain them) and 1/4 cup of enchilada sauce.
  • When the corn bread is ready, it will barely set and still be miost.  That is okay.  Pierce the entire surface with a fork.  Pour remaining enchilada sauce over the cornbread and use the back of a spoon to spread evenly over the top.
  • Evenly top with the meat (real/fake) and bean mixture and remaining cheese.
  • Return to oven for 15 minutes until it is warm and cheese is melted.
  • Top with chopped cilantro.
Enjoy!

~Merrill ♥