A Great Summer Dinner: Balsamic Grilled Summer Vegetables with Basil Quinoa Salad

Finished product!

 Yet another great recipe on Pinterest...

Balsamic Grilled Summer Vegetables with Basil Quinoa Salad

This is a super easy recipe with lots of flavor! A few tips I'd like to add:

1. Some toasted pine nuts can add a lot of flavor to the quinoa. I used about 1/4 cup and toasted them in a dry frying pan. A note about toasting these nuts - DO NOT walk away from the pan! They can burn quite easily. In fact, I'm sad to say that I burned my whole first batch. For those of you who have never purchased them before, they can be quite pricey so definitely not something you want to risk wasting.  Many thanks to a dear friend (AS) for the wonderful pine nuts!

Toasting the pine nuts. Second ("un-burned") batch.

Veggies (before the oven). Fresh basil and some mozz.

2. Although we do own a grill I am TOTALLY inept at using it so I broiled the veggies in the oven. 500 degrees for about 6-7 minutes did the trick. I coated the pan with some cooking spray ahead of time. I also opted to add the pearlini mozzarella (upper right of the photo) in order to get in some additional protein.

Some tips not directly related to the recipe....

Shocking, I know, but there are many days when I just don't feel like cooking. What helps?

First, a glass of wine always seems to make the cooking process much more enjoyable and for some reason the "treat" of having a glass of wine helps prevent me from picking at things around the kitchen while I'm cooking! Some good music goes a long way as well - helps to relieve the stress of a long day. Huge fan of Pandora Radio

 but  I find that putting on some good music helps get me motivated! I'm a huge fan of Pandora Radio!

Italian table wine glasses. Love these! Got the whole set from Fishs Eddy in NYC one of my favorite stores!

Just something on my heart...

“Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a good fire?”

- C.S. Lewis

WW Rosemary Bread + Black Bean Dip

I found this wonderful recipe for Rosemary Olive Oil Bread on Pinterest that I wanted to share. The recipe can be found on this lovely blog: http://www.ahintofhoney.com/2011/04/rosemary-olive-oil-bread.html. For those of you, like me, who don't have the best track record with making yeast breads, have hope! I found this recipe quite simply and the bread came out fabulous. Clay claims that it's one of the best breads he's ever had. Definitely a make again! Here's a pick of mine:

My version of the bread (this is what's left of the loaf after only two days).

If anyone living in the area wants any fresh rosemary, we have tons! Please let me know and I'll bring you some.

Just one of the rosemary bushes outside our house!

A grad school friend of mine gave me a wonderful (and super simple) recipe for a black bean that goes wonderfully with crudites or tortilla chips. As a heads up, I don't measure anything on this recipe; I just throw in the spices to the degree that I feel is appropriate. Here's the recipe:

Linden's Black Bean Dip

2 cans black beans (she starts with dried black beans which is healthier and more cost-effective but takes more time)

lime or lemon juice

cumin

chili powder

garlic powder or fresh garlic

cilantro (lots!)

red pepper flakes

hot sauce (if you prefer)

salt

olive oil

water (the water is added to change the consistency to your preference)

Mix everything together in a bowl. Process (in batches if needed) in a food processor.

 

And, just so you all don't think I eat sheet cake and cadberry eggs all the time. Here's what I'm having for lunch today: rosemary oo bread (with butter), strawberries, pineapple and kiwi, broccoli and cauliflower with black bean dip, about 1-2 ounces of cheddar cheese and a granola bar I recently made (oats, semi-sweet choc chips, raisins, coconut and peanut butter, quite tasty!)

-DB