Tomato & Red Quinoa Bread

The only commentary I am going to try to make up for this recipe is, be sure to make both loafs, as this first one will not last long. Oh and don’t let the title fool you…There were 5 of us for dinner last night and we devoured 1 loaf in its entirety. (finger licking good is not just for chicken!)

Apparently we are carb loving fiends!! All is good, I am happy being one. This bread is good next morning for toast and then for lunch as an open faced sammy! It is not just about the bread and butter here.

INGREDIENTS #1

• 1/2 cup Red Quinoa
• 1 cup V8 juice

DIRECTIONS #1

Rinse quinoa in a strainer and add to pot with V8 juice. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. Set aside with lid off to cool. You need it cool for the next step.

INGREDIENTS #2

• 2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 cup lukewarm water
• 2 cups warm V8 juice
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 tbs dried basil
• 2 cups bread flour
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour

DIRECTIONS #2

To the bread machine, add the yeast to the warm water and stir, let sit for 5 minutes.  Add the rest of the ingredients plus the cooled quinoa and mix thoroughly.  Let run through the dough cycle and sit for 1 hour.

INGREDIENTS #3

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 to 4 cups white bread flour

DIRECTIONS #3

Add the dough that has been sitting for one hour into an oiled bowl and mix the above ingredients into the dough, start with 2 cups of flour first. Place dough on a clean surface, along with 1 more cup of flour and knead that into the bread. Continue to knead bread for about 5-10 minutes or until  smooth consistency.  Dough is relatively sticky, but if it is too sticky, add more flour 1/4 cup at a time.  Once ready, place back into the oiled bowl, cover and let sit for another 1.5 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. After the 1.5 hours punch dough down and re-cover while oven is heating up.

When oven is ready, take 2 loaf pans, buttered and divide dough in half and place in pans

INGREDIENTS #4

• 3 tbs butter, melted
• 2 tsp flax seeds

DIRECTIONS #4

Slice down the middle of the dough and drizzle half of the butter over the top of loaf. Sprinkle with half flax seeds, continue with second loaf.

Bake for about 50 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes (if you can stand it) and then repeat after me:

SLICE BUTTER SCARF, REPEAT! 

 

Easy Granola Bars – Gluten Free

 

Looking for a quick snack that will keep in the refrigerator and still be good in a few days…is also good for you…AND gluten free? I came across a Fruit and Nut Energy Bar from a good foodie friend of mine over at Mia’s Domain. This woman is like the queen of food. She makes the best stuff and is such an inspiration. I always look to her page for inspiration and ideas!

If you haven’t been to her page, I URGE you to go check it out, but not before you’ve read my recipe 😀 I used her recipe and turned her energy bar in to a granola bar.

Crisp oats and dried fruit make this such a delight to bite into. the sweetness of the maple syrup and the dark chocolate chips are a surprise for your taste buds as it hits them after the initial bite of the fruit. This is a great go to snack and for kids rushing out the door who don’t have time for breakfast…well this is good as any breakfast for them and it will keep them full longer with all the goodies inside! Hearty, healthy, and gluten-free, can’t go wrong!

INGREDIENTS
1 cup ground flax seeds (1/2 cup whole)

1 cup chia seeds (1/2 cup)

2 cups apple cinnamon quick cooking oats

1 cup chopped dried apricots

1 cup dried cranberries/blueberries/cherries

1 cup diced almonds

1 cup dark chocolate chips

1 cup crunchy salted peanut butter

1 cup pure maple syrup or honey (used 1/2 & 1/2)

zest of 1 orange

Sea salt

Preheat oven to 350 F

Combine all dry ingredients

Melt peanut butter and add maple syrup or honey  to it and add to dry ingredients. Mix well until no dry ingredients remain.

Pour into a non-stick 16 by 12 inch cookie sheet pan. Use a rolling-pin to spread the mixture into an even layer. (See Mia is a genius!)

Grind sea salt over the top. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Leave to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

 

Low Fat Monkey Cups aka Banana Muffins

INGREDIENTS

1/3 c. Vegetable Oil or Coconut Oil
1/3 c. Low Fat Sour Cream
1 t. Vanilla
1 Egg
1 1/2 c. Whole Wheat Flour
1 T. Wheat Germ
1 T. Flax Seeds
1 t. Baking Powder
1 t. Baking Soda
1/2 t. Salt
3/4 c. Sugar
DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl combine all wet ingredients except banana.
2. Mash bananas and set aside.
3. In medium bowl whisk together all dry ingredients.
4. Slowly incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture stirring just until combined. Do not over mix ingredients.
5. Add mashed bananas at the end.  
6. Fill your muffin cups 3/4 of the way full.
7. Cook at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean.