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Quinoa With Zucchini and Chickpeas
Posted on 11. Oct, 2010 by Karri Wells.
One of my more successful concoctions involves quinoa, zucchini and chickpeas. It was inspired by a similar dish from Bon Appetit. It’s flavorful, healthy and inexpensive (all things I like). I made this for my sister when she was here a few weeks ago, and she loved it.
So, ‘what the F is quinoa?
Quinoa prounounced “kinwa” is a high protein, amino acid rich, tasty little seed. It has become my new favorite ingredient in dinner experiments. It’s pretty easy to cook, and it’s really versatile. Plus it’s gluten-free if that applies to you.
Ingredients
- 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 4 garlic cloves, minced*
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons turmeric, divided
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika,* divided
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup quinoa (about 6 ounces),** rinsed well, drained
- 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
- 6 medium zucchini, trimmed, quartered lengthwise
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 6 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
*If you have a hot date cut the garlic in half.
Instructions
Combine chickpeas and lemon juice in large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons oil; press in garlic and stir to combine. Let marinate at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon turmeric, and 1 teaspoon paprika; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 2 cups water, quinoa, and coarse salt; bring to simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until all water is absorbed, about 16 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the grill* (medium high heat). Place zucchini on rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with ground cumin, 1 teaspoon turmeric, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Toss to coat evenly.
Place zucchini on grill; sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Grill until tender and browned on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to work surface. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Add zucchini, green onions, and parsley, then chickpea mixture to quinoa. Toss to blend. Season with salt and pepper.
*If you don’t have a grill, or if that just sounds like a lot of work, you can also bake the zucchini in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes at 350.
This makes about 8 servings. I realize that sounds like a lot, but you will want them. The leftovers are great! Do you cook with quinoa often? Please share your recipes with me! I’m always looking for a new dish to try out.
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The Ultimate Baby Shower Playlist
Posted on 10. Oct, 2010 by Karri Wells.
My college BFF Leslie is preggers with her first child. Our friends, including the talented Kylee and Nikki from Down To Details, coordinated a picture perfect Lil’ Pumpkin themed shower to celebrate the occasion. My contribution, a baby girl themed playlist.
Ice Ice Baby – Vanilla Ice*
There Goes My Baby – The Drifters
Baby Love – Diana Ross & The Supremes*
Be My Baby – The Ronettes
Baby Baby Baby – TLC
My Girls – Animal Collective
Too Busy Thinking About My Baby – Marvin Gaye
Baby’s Got Sauce – G. Love and the Special Sauce*
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Ooh Child – The Spinners
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
Baby Baby – Amy Grant
Hey Baby – No Doubt
Baby Girl – Sugarland
Cry Baby – Janis Joplin
You’ll Always Be My Baby – Mariah Carey
Born To Be Wild – Steppenwolf
Material Girl – Madonna
Fell in Love With a Girl – The White Stripes
My Girl The – Temptations
Rich Girl – Gwen Stefani & Eve
Kids – MGMT
I Got a Girl – Trippin Daisy
Are you Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
Good Morning Baby – Bic Runga
American Baby – Dave Matthews Band
Baby Baby Baby – Make the Girl Dance
Barbie Girl – Aqua
Born in the USA – Bruce Springsteen
Ode To My Family – Cranberries
A Girl Like You – Edwin Collins
My Favorite Girl – New Kids On The Block
Girls Just Wanna – Have Fun Cyndi Lauper
Daughters – John Mayer
In Love With a Girl – Gavin DeGraw
Kids In America – Kim Wilde
Sweet Child Of Mine – Guns N Roses
Waiting For My Child – Mavis Staples
Stop Children (What’s That Sound) – Jefferson Airplane
Daughter – Pearl Jam
*(Muchas gracias to Susan for her suggestions!)
What am I missing? Are there other songs that you think should be included?
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Fall Eats: Sweet Potato Stew
Posted on 09. Oct, 2010 by Karri Wells.
I’ve been cooking a lot more recently, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve been impressed with myself. This is a hearty cool weather dish, that is tasty and healthy. Plus it’s vegetarian and vegan friendly. I almost always double the recipe because this makes for great leftovers.
The original recipe is from Epicurious, but I’ve made a few modifications to suit my tastes.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups finely chopped onions
- 2 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 1/2 pounds red-skinned sweet potatoes (yams; about 2 medium), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 cups orange juice
- 3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 15- to 16-ounce cans black beans, rinsed, drained
- 1 15- to 16-ounce cans cannellini beans, rinsed, drained
- 2 poblano chilies, seeded, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- Greek Yogurt (optional – skip for Vegans, obviously)
- Avocado slices (optional)
- Orange wedges (optional)
Instructions
Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium heat. Add onions and sauté until tender, about 10 minutes. Add ginger, chili powder and cumin and stir 2 minutes. Add sweet potatoes, orange juice and garlic and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until sweet potatoes are almost tender, about 10 minutes.
Stir beans, poblano chilies and bell pepper into sweet potato mixture. Cover and simmer until chilies are tender, about 15 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat before continuing, stirring occasionally.)
According to Epicurious this is supposed to make four servings. I find that it seems like we always end up with more like five or six. I’ve been meaning to try this over wheatberries, which I think would make for a nice variation. You can’t really go wrong with wheatberries in my opinion.
Happy eating! Hope you enjoy this dish much as I do 
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How To Use Your Awesomeness To Get A Raise
Posted on 07. Oct, 2010 by Karri Wells.
Betsy has made a very convincing argument for a raise with her charm, wit, and cold hard facts.
Check out the full presentation
For God’s sake, people like this are hard to come by. After the Duke Powerpoint debacle, it is refreshing to see a lady using Powerpoint for good. Go Betsy GO!
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Lil’ Douchebag Alphabet Book
Posted on 01. Oct, 2010 by Karri Wells.
This is the best thing I’ve come across months – the Lil’ Douchebag Alphabet Book. Multi-talented copywriter/illustrator Ted McCagg has put together an alphabet book chock full of douchey-ness. It reads as a guidebook for aspiring douchetards. With A for Axe (as in the body spray) and E for Ed Hardy, one can’t help but wonder if Jersey Shore was prime inspiration for this fine work.
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Teenage Dream Cover Is Better Than Original
Posted on 15. Sep, 2010 by Karri Wells.
I think this cover of Teenage Dream by Wendy is actually better than Katy Perry‘s original. They have a couple more covers over on their YouTube channel, including a pretty good version of Justin Bieber’s ‘Baby’.
Like what you hear? You can download the free MP3 of the song over at http://wendy.bandcamp.com/
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By Some Miracle – Philip Selway
Posted on 10. Sep, 2010 by Karri Wells.
Check out the video for Radiohead drummer, Phil Selway‘s debut album Familial
I can’t decide if the song is actually good, but I really dig the video. Thoughts?