You think it might suck but then it totally rocks.
Wanna cook like this? Let’s do it together in September. Join me for Busy Women Mealtime Makeover. Only 15 spots so get yours now!
Nothing gets me jazzed up like a To Do list. I love making little boxes next to each task that I get to check off when the task is complete. The hubster thinks I am a total nerd. I would agree.
I try to be pretty organized with meal planning. I love having a shopping list and having my assistant “help” me out.
Some days, though, I just throw together a bunch of things that should go together decently and see what happens. Somedays I am pleasantly surprised. I have this basil plant that is growing like a weed. I am throwing basil in everything.
We make it too damn hard. I am guilty as charged. Sure, in a perfect world, I would love to present three course meals to my family every night complete with an appetizer, entree and dessert. Not going to happen. Damn you internet and Facebook. I see so many recipes I want to try.
Make it easy on yourself. Try something simple. Throw a few things together and see what happens. It might rock your world.
Basil-icious Chickpea Quinoa Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup of quinoa, rinsed
1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
juice of one lemon
1 avocado, cut in little chunks
handful of fresh basil, sliced thinly
salt and pepper
Directions:
Cook the quinoa in a small saucepan. One part quinoa to 2 parts water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 12-15 minutes. In a bowl add the lemon juice, salt and pepper and chickpeas. When the quinoa is done, let it cool down until it is just a little warm. Then, slowly add it to the bowl and mix together. I think it mixes better together when the quinoa is a little warm. Fold in the basil. Refrigerate if you want. Add the avocado right before eating. Enjoy!
This is a kick-ass side dish with some grilled fish or meat. It can totally be a full meal in itself! Great leftovers my friends. I think the flavor was actually better the second day.
Don’t think you can cook? You totally can.
Tell me about a meal you made that you thought was going to suck but totally rocked. I want to hear from you.
I have never had quinona?? Love chickpeas & basil but not a fan @ all of avocado. Def will have to give a try :-). As always thanks for sharing. Have a fabulous weekend & stay cool & hydrated
Great title, great pic (of you!)
Here’s a good one…no cooking required
2-3 cans of Tuna
1/4 cup Fresh made basil pesto
chopped celery
fresh chopped kale chopped
sun dried tomatoes
Mix all together. Serve with fresh basil leaves, tomatoes, add shaved parm or mozzerella cheese if you want. Put it in a whole wheat wrap or some fresh toasted bread! YUM!
Yum Julie! I will make this soon!
The other morning I was looking for something to bring for lunch and I just had quinoa, cucumbers, cilantro and evoo and vinegar. It was perfect!
Light and delicious in this crazy heat!
I made this for lunch today (with whole wheat cous cous instead since that’s what I had on hand) and it IS delicious! I am thinking that adding cherry tomatoes and/or tuna would be a great variation.
You are in good company…I am a list-making nerd too:)
I made this again today to take to work with me. It is marinating in the fridge as we speak. I wanted to check back to make sure I didn’t forget anything in the recipe, but I didn’t. This is such a simple recipe! I used pearl cous cous this time. I am almost looking forward to going to work so I can have this for lunch!
Awesome Kaitie! Hey, might as well have good food if you gotta be at work. 🙂