quinoa

So you might be wondering what lemon snow exactly is…I remember making it in my first grade class. One of my classmates brought in a recipe for “lemon snow” and the teacher thought it would be cool to make it. It was essentially a lemon popsicle in a paper cup, made with milk, lemon juice, and sugar. So strange…it was probably some ancient Scandinavian recipe from my classmate’s family lineage. I just remember it tasting so good and being possibly the most lemony and zesty thing I’ve ever had.

There’s something so European-chic about muesli; I can just picture a fashionable French lady eating it on her balcony while watching the sunrise. But that’s not the only reason I’m getting into it lately. Muesli is also a super filling yet healthy breakfast option that comes together in a snap.

Every so often my standard morning oatmeal recipe starts to feel boring and bland; I crave something warm and satisfying, but decidedly not made from oats. Enter breakfast quinoa!

Whenever I notice naturally thin people eating greasy junk food non-stop, I can’t help but wonder if their presumably fast metabolisms are responsible. I’m sure I can’t be the only envious one who does this. Another thing that might have some women stricken with envy is the fact that men tend to have faster metabolisms than women. How great is that (for men)?

Everyone in my family is fond of heavy white sauces, but not me; I’ve always been a fan of this thing called flavor. If you think you’re more of a white sauce person, think again. This velvety, luscious red sauce will even win over the hearts of Italians who think their nonna's “gravy” is the best hands down.

Every vegetarian and vegan has heard it before, and will undoubtedly hear it time and time again—“But where do you get your protein?” Just to set things straight, a lot of Americans are overweight because we actually eat too much protein than we need to due to many of us rarely exercising. For everyone who thinks people on plant-based diets are lacking protein, you’re sadly mistaken; most of us are definitely getting adequate amounts.

If you haven’t heard of quinoa, the superfood, by now, it’s time to get out from underneath that rock. For those of you who are still unsure of how to say it (let alone spell it), it’s pronounced “keen-wah.”

My first encounter with Egyptian street food was in the most unlikely of places: the Minnesota State Fair. Strange as it may sound, among the corndogs and cheese curds, there is a popular Middle Eastern food stand at the fair serving things like falafel, gyro meat, dolmas, and my favorite, koshari. As it happens, koshari (also spelled kushari, koshary, or kosheri) is the national dish of Egypt and a popular street food item. The dish consists of rice, lentils, macaroni, chickpeas, fried onions, and a delicious spicy red sauce.

Quinoa, pronounced “keen-wah”, originated in the area of Chile and Peru and flourishes in altitudes from 12,000 to 15,000 feet. It is a fruit of the family Chenopodium and is an annual herb with seeds growing in clusters at the top of the stalk, much like millet. The native peoples used the seeds for cereal, in cakes and brewed into a beer; the leaves were eaten much like spinach. It was the second most cultivated crop in the native cultures and highly valued for its protein and high nutritional content.  

If you are in search of a balanced, nutritious dish, then look no further. Comprised of a protein, grain, and greens, Buddha bowls are your answer to a well-rounded meal. Why the name? While this bowl has been called many things, the name “Buddha bowl” refers to the shape. Packed to the brim with some of earth's finest ingredients, the rounded top is compared to that of Buddha's belly. And I assure you it will make your belly just as happy!