Chocolate Breakfast Quinoa

Happy Sunday all! I hope everyone had a great weekend & is as ready for this upcoming week as I am.  This week's recipe is one that was inspired from a fitness magazine article.  I actually made it a few weeks back and it turned out OK…I wasn't thrilled with the results but if made with a couple of alterations, it would be a lot better.  Initially, I cooked the quinoa with milk but next time, I will use water because the milk gave it a funny after taste.  I would also recommend using sweetened coconut flakes & toasted almond slivers so that it gives it more of a nutty taste and a nice little crunch.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup raw quinoa
1 - 1 & 1/4 cup water
Dash of sea salt
2 tsp cocoa powder
2 tsp honey
2 TBSP sweetened coconut flakes
1/2 tsp vanilla extract  
Sliced almonds
A couple of drops of peppermint extract

Directions:
1.  Bring water to a boil and add quinoa & sea salt.
2.  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook quinoa until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
3.  Remove quinoa from stove place in a bowl.
4.  Add vanilla & peppermint extracts, cocoa powder, honey, coconut flakes, & almonds and mix.
5.  Enjoy!

    

Avocado Milkshake

I know what you're thinking! How in the world would an avocado make a good milkshake?! I promise you, it really tastes amazing! It is hands down my favorite flavor milkshake, and it is so simple to make and good for you! The avocado adds richness and body so the shake holds up really well! You can use whatever sweetener you like, I switch between honey and sugar- both are great! If it isn't as sweet as you would like add a little more, it's always to your taste!

To make it really yummy you can add some vanilla ice-cream! Hope y'all like it as much as I do!

Ingredients
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- 1-1/3 cup milk
- 1/2-1/3 cup ice
-  2 TSP sugar or honey
- 1/3 cup vanilla ice-cream (optional)

Direction
- Place all ingredients in blender/smoothie machine and mix until smooth and creamy! Enjoy!

CPK Inspired Tostada Pizza

Happy Sunday all! I hope everyone had a fab weekend & is ready to start the week off right. Tonight's recipe is an all time hit with my family & is one that my sister was sweet enough to share with me.  Try it at home and let us know if it was as big of a hit at your home as it is at ours.  Thanks Dhara for the awesome recipe; you're the best!!!

Ingredients:
1 pre made thin crust (I used Mama Mary's) or Pillsbury Pizza Crust
1 can refried black beans (Old El Paso brand) or regular refried beans
Pinch of Mexican oregano
1 tsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp taco seasoning (I use a homemade one but you can use any kind you have)
1 TBSP + 1 tsp hot sauce (Taco Bell or Cholula)
Shredded lettuce
1 tomato - diced
1 avocado - sliced
1 cup of Mexican blend cheese
Tortilla strips
Creamy Jalapeño Ranch dressing (click here for recipe)
Roughly 1/4 cup of water
Salt (if needed in the beans)

Directions:
1.  Heat EVOO & add Mexican oregano & taco seasoning.
2.  Add beans, cumin, hot sauce, water, & mix.  Taste the beans and see if salt is needed.
3.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
4.  Brush olive oil on the crust and bake for a roughly 5 minutes.
5.  Spread the bean mixture on crust.
6.  Top with cheese and place in the oven until the cheese has melted.
7.  Broil for a few minutes until the cheese is golden brown and starts bubbling.
8.  Once the pizza has been removed and has cooled down for a few minutes, top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, tortilla strips, & sliced avocados.
9.  Drizzle with ranch & enjoy.

Cheesy Pull-Apart

I love this recipe because it's good anytime of the year and you can eat it with practically anything- soup, salads, pasta, chilli...the list is endless! You can also adjust the flavors to whatever you'd like, I made pasta so I seasoned it with Oregano and basil, added some chopped olives and tomatoes. Try it next time with jalapenos and a little fresh cilantro, or with just cheese and cracked black pepper! Anyway you try it, you're going to love it!

Ingredients

- 1 can Pillsbury Grand biscuits (junior size)

- 2 TBSP butter

- 1 TBSP milk

- 1 cup shredded cheese (any kind you like)

- salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings

- Oregano and basil

- 2 TBSP chopped olives

- 2 TBSP diced tomato

Directions

- Preheat oven to 350.

- Lay all ten biscuits flat on a chopping board and quarter them into pieces. Place in a large bowl.

- In a small bowl melt butter, add milk, a little salt and pepper and stir.

- Add melted butter mixture to quartered biscuits and mix with a wooden spoon until all pieces are coated. 

- Place half of the buttered biscuit pieces in a casserole dish and top with 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat with remaining biscuits pieces and cheese. Top with olives, tomatoes and seasoning.

- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbling and the top is golden brown.

Serving size: 4-6