Quinoa Cakes
Trying a new whole grain can be intimidating, especially when the name is difficult to pronounce. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a grain growing in popularity due to its nutritional value. Quinoa has more fiber and twice as much protein as any other grain. It can be used in a variety of dishes including burgers, stir-fries, breakfast bowls, and even pizza crust.
Today’s recipe uses quinoa, black beans, and cottage cheese. I love making this for on-the-road meals. These would also be a great option for kiddos who are in sports activities and need a quick meal before practice. You can freeze the mini cakes for up to 3 months and use them as needed. So instead of driving through the fast-food line, grab a protein-packed Quinoa Cake! Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/o4GgsqT66bU
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 eggs and 2 egg whites lightly beaten
- 1 cup canned black beans, drained and rinsed
- 3/4 cup cottage cheese, reduced fat
- 1/4 cup scallions sliced
- 2 Tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese, reduced fat
Servings:
Units:
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place 12 liners in a muffin tin and spray with cooking spray
- Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in quinoa. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until the grains are tender and fluffy. Let cool for about 10 minutes and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add eggs, beans, cottage cheese, scallions, flour, baking powder, salt and spices. Stir until combined. Fold in shredded cheese.
- Bake the cakes until slightly brown on top (20-25 minutes). Let cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve with your favorite salsa and avocado.
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from Eating Well
Lemon Butter Fish
You are in for a special treat! We found the FIRST Dinner Tonight video and thought it was appropriate for today’s “Throwback Thursday.” Dana Tarter was a Family and Consumer Sciences AgriLife Extension agent in Tarrant County when she was the first star of Dinner Tonight. The program has grown tremendously since this video and we are excited for what is to come. Don’t forget to try Lemon Butter Fish for dinner tonight. Enjoy!
[Read more…] about Lemon Butter Fish
Roasted Asparagus Salad
Roasted Asparagus Salad is a perfect side salad for anyone who is feeling adventurous! With pickled red onion, roasted asparagus and arugula this side salad is quite the show stopper! 
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup red onion sliced very thin
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 lb fresh asparagus spears trimmed
- 3 cups fresh arugula (can substitute spinach)
- 2 tbsp fresh mint minced
- 3 tbsp olive oil extra virgin divided
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Servings: (1.25 cups each)
Units:
Instructions
- To pickle onions, combine onion and vinegar in a small bowl. Cover and let stand at room temperate for at least 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
- Pre-heat oven to 400 °F. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place the trimmed asparagus in a single layer. Drizzle asparagus spears with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Roast asparagus for 15-20 minutes (until tender crisp).
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine arugula and mint. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the onions to the mixture. Pour 3 tablespoons of the vinegar from the onion bowl into a small screw top jar. Add remaining oil, salt and pepper. Cover and shake well.
- Add cooled asparagus spears to the salad and drizzle vinegar mixture over the salad, toss gently to coat. Serve immediately
Recipe Notes
Note: If you have thin asparagus spears, leave them whole. If the spears are thick, cut them into 1 inch chunks.
Lightened Up Carrot Cake Bars
Carrot cake just feels right for a spring gathering!
Need help measuring? Refer back to one of our earlier posts about Measuring BasicsÂ
Ingredients
Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting
- 1/2 cup frozen light whipped topping thawed
- 4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
Servings:
Units:
Instructions
Bars
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over the edges of the pan. Lightly coat foil with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, and salt.
- Add shredded carrot, 1/2 cup of the nuts, the eggs, oil, and milk
- Stir just until combined. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near center comes out clean. Cool bars in pan on a wire rack.
- Using the edges of the foil, lift the uncut bars out of the pan.
- Spread top evenly with Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup nuts. Cut into 20 bars.
Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting
- In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth.
- Beat in yogurt until smooth. Fold thawed whipped topping into cream cheese mixture.
Recipe Notes
