Tomatoes

Superfood Quinoa Tabbouli

Superfood Quinoa Tabbouli

It’s month two of 2020, and I have yet to make good on my life goals. Let’s just pretend January didn’t happen.. And start over this month. I actually started buckling down and meal planning for the week. Not just dinner, everything. Three meals.

I Love Tabbouli, I just don’t eat it in public very often. Mostly because, with the parsley chopped up so finely, I’m bound to have green leaves stuck to my teeth while talking to people. So embarrassing! In my attempts to avoid being the one with salad in her teeth, I only eat it at home, or family functions — because, let’s be real, family will not be shy to quickly point out that you’re looking all kinds of crazy with salad stuck to your teeth.

Superfood Quinoa Tabbouli

Why am I using Quinoa instead of the traditional Bulgur Wheat? I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that Quinoa is a superfood. It’s high in fiber and protein. Oh, and get this … it also has iron and potassium. Quinoa has about 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per cup. While Bulgur wheat has only about 5 grams of protein, but a higher fiber with about 8 grams of fiber. So why not make my Tabbouli Super extra filling with protein-packed Quinoa?!

 

Superfood Quinoa Tabbouli

Superfood Quinoa Tabbouli

Superfood Quinoa Tabbouli

Yield: About 6 Large Servings

Ingredients

  • 4 bunches Parsley, washed and dried, stems cut off
  • Juice from 2 Lemons
  • 4 large tomatoes, chopped into small pieces
  • 4 large cucumbers, chopped into small pieces
  • 4 green onions/ scallions, finely chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 cup Quinoa

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Quinoa by placing the quinoa and 2 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
  2. Finely chop the parsley by hand (labor intensive) or in a food processor.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the parsley, tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions and cooked quinoa
  4. Add olive oil, salt and juice from 2 lemons
  5. Mix together really well. Tabbouli tastes better when placed in the fridge for about 30 minutes prior to serving.
Schema/Recipe SEO Data Markup by Yummly Rich Recipes
https://www.measuringcupsoptional.com/superfood-quinoa-tabbouli/

Italian Inspired Garlic Olive Oil Bruschetta

Italian bruschetta

I just got back from a four day trip to Rome, Italy where I ate, walked, ate, visited some historic sites, ate, shopped, did tons of work for my real job, and ate some more. I enjoyed every minute of Rome. For a full recap of my week in Rome with photos, videos and my own commentary, check out last week’s This Week on Instagram post. (more…)

Bamiya [Okra Stew]

bamiya_3

I always feel an immense sense of accomplishment when I make Arabic food and it tastes like my mom’s cooking. Likely because Arabic food only tastes good when my mom or tayta make it, in my personal opinion. So when I realized we had some fresh okra hanging out in the fridge, I decided to try a very well known Arabic dish; Bamiya. Bamiya is basically okra stew.

Don’t let the okra deter you. Most people don’t like it because it can get pretty slimy. But if you prepare the okra properly, I promise you a slime-free meal. (more…)

The 5 Day Working Girl Lunch Challenge

  Take Your Lunch

It’s the end of the year, a time when most of us look a little more closely at the numbers in our lives — namely the numbers in our bank accounts and on our scales. That’s when we realize the number in our bank account is slowly decreasing while that pestering number on the scale seems to be increasing by day. So how do I get those numbers to have reverse effects?! I’m looking for the number on the scale to go down, while the number in my bank account to go  up. (more…)

Skinny Mac and Cheese

Skinny Mac and Cheese_3

 

Mac and cheese, the ultimate comfort food, right? I’m a total sucker for Velveeta, too. At our house, as a kid we used to have macaroni & cheese and hot dogs. Healthy. Unfortunately, comfort food equals an unsightly amount of calories. Calories we, quite frankly, can’t afford to be consuming. Not if we want to fit into our super cute, bought it a little-too-tight because I know I can lose weight before the event dress, for example. I can’t tell you how many of those I own.

Total sucker for comfort food. Yes, I’m the one in the Kenmore Fridge ad – the one who grazes. Regularly. That’s why I try to keep my fridge as snack-free as possible. But not all mac and cheese is bad for you. Honestly. (more…)

Spring Focaccia Bake

 

It’s been feeling a lot like summer around DC lately. Strange, considering it’s March and we had a very mild winter and practically no spring. Honestly, spring time is my favorite time of year. I may be a bit biased because my birthday is in April. What’s not to love though? The weather is usually amazing – warm during the day with little-to-no humidity, and there are more outdoor gatherings. When the weather gets warmer, I start to crave lighter foods. That mean, more fruits, veggies and salads. The following is an easy recipe for Spring Focaccia Bake.

Adapted from D’s Kitchen.

Spring Focaccia Bake Recipe

Ingredients

1 loaf Focaccia Bread, cubed (or frozen cheesy focaccia rolls, cubed)
1 tablespoon Olive oil
1 Buffalo Mozzarella, cut into 1/2 inch squares
1 package fresh Basil, chopped
15-20 Grape Tomatoes, halved
 

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Sprinkle olive oil on the bottom of a baking dish (or corning ware dish)
Lay focaccia squares in the dish, top with mozzarella, and then tomatoes.
Bake for 25-30 minutes.
Top with basil and serve.
 

 

Servings: 4

Nutrition Information: Cals 436. Carbs 53g. Fat 18g. Protein 16g. Sodium 554mg.