Spinach Quinoa

Info
Prep Time: 10 min
Cooking: 15 min
Waiting: 15 min
Makes: 4 servings
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 Tbs (15 ml) olive oil
1 cup (250 ml) quinoa, thoroughly rinsed
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) chicken broth
1 cup (250 ml) fresh spinach, chopped
Salt & Pepper

Make It
In a saucepan, SOFTEN the onion and garlic in the oil. SEASON with salt and pepper. ADD the quinoa and broth. BRING to a boil. COVER and SIMMER for 15 minutes over low heat. REMOVE from the heat and ADD the spinach. COVER and let stand for 15 minutes. ADJUST the seasoning.

My Comments
I use this recipe as a base then I add edamame, carrots...

Mixed Berries and Banana Smoothie

Info
Prep Time: 5 min
Makes: 2 servings
Source: Food Network Kitchen

What You Need
1 cup frozen mixed berries
1 frozen ripe banana
1/2 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
1 tsp honey (optional)

Make It
COMBINE all ingredients together in a blender and PUREE until smooth.

My Comments
I use a ripe banana, but not frozen. I add honey and cinnamon.

Beginner's Luck Green Smoothie

Info
Makes: 1 serving
Source: Simple Green Smoothies

What You Need
1 cup of fresh spinach
1 cup water
1/2 cup pineapple
1/2 cup mango
1 banana peeled

Make It
1. PLACE spinach and water in blender. PUREE until smooth.
2. ADD fruit and BLEND again.

Note
* Use at least one frozen fruit to make the smoothie cold or serve over ice.

Banana Bread

Info
Prep Time: 20 min
Baking Time: 1 hr
Makes: 10 servings
Freezes
Source: Ricardo Cuisine

What You Need
3 ripe bananas (375 ml / 1 1/2 cups)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup (60 ml) vegetable oil
2 cups (500 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) ground cinnamon
2 tsp (10 ml) baking powder
1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) baking soda
1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt
2 eggs
1 cup (250 ml) sugar
2 Tbs (30 ml) molasses
3/4 cup (180 ml) walnuts, toasted and chopped

Make It
1. With the rack in the middle position, PREHEAT the oven 180°C (350 °F). Butter and flour a 23 x 13-cm (9 x 5-inch) loaf pan.
2. In a bowl with a fork, coarsely MASH the bananas with the lemon juice. ADD the oil. Set aside.
3. In another bowl, COMBINE the dry ingredients. Set aside.
4. In a third bowl, BEAT the eggs with the sugar and molasses with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. At low speed, ADD the dry ingredients alternately with the bananas. With a wooden spoon, STIR in the nuts. 
5. SPREAD in the prepared pan. BAKE for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean. Let cool and unmould. 



Note
*Bananas
Freeze very ripe bananas directly in their skin. Before preparing the recipe, thaw in the microwave oven for a few seconds at a time. Cut one end of the bananas and press to extract the flesh.
*Flour
You can substitute 125 ml (1/2 cup) of the flour for 125 ml (1/2 cup) of ground flaxseed.
*Step 2
Mash the bananas with the lemon juice to prevent the flesh from browning.
*Step 4
At this stage, do not overbeat.

My Comments
Yummy! This is my favorite recipe for banana bread.