Monday, March 19, 2012

Who said you can only cook cabbage on St. Patties day? Not me.

Corned Beef & Cabbage

Since I had to work last Saturday, I decided that I would make a delayed St. Patrick's Day meal. This meal is only a few ingredients and it was made in the crock pot (my favorite!), which made it a very simple yet delicious meal.

Ingredients:

1 lb Corned Beef w/ packet of seasoning
5 red potatoes
5 carrots
1/2 head of cabbage
1 can of beer

Place the potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock pot and add the beef on top. Fill crock pot with beer and water so that the meat is covered with liquid. Cook for 8 hours on low. Add cabbage after 8 hours and cook on high for last hour.



Experience?
Very simple to make. The meat makes the dish a little salty, so I might not add the whole packet of seasoning that comes with the corned beef next time and instead add my own herbs and seasonings.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Sunday Special

Lemony Quinoa Tabbouleh


  • 1 cup quinoa (well rinsed and drained)
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 3/4 cup parsley (finely chopped)
  • 4 scallions (thinly sliced crosswise)
  • 1/2 avocado sliced
  • 1/4 cup kalamata olives
  • 1 cup grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint(minced)
  • 1/2 (about 2 tablespoons)lemon (juiced)
  • 1 large clove garlic (pressed)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Cayenne pepper (to taste)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • Combine quinoa and water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook on medium-low for 20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Transfer to a plate to cool.
  • Combine parsley, scallions, tomatoes, avocado, olives and mint in a medium bowl; stir in cooled quinoa. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and garlic. Whisk in olive oil and season to taste with cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Pour dressing over quinoa mixture and toss well. Refrigerate for 1–2 hours and serve chilled.
  • Experience?
    A very refreshing and light meal to start off the spring months. Next time I would make sure to have a glass of Pinot Grigio to balance out the spice of the cayenne in the dish. FYI - really any herb would working this dish, so whatever is in the garden just toss it in!