Tuesday 12 April 2016

Recipe: Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls

I've been looking for a light meal that I can have that's tasty but still healthy. Something that's not going to make me feel bloated or too full but still fills me up enough to feel satisfied. While a lot of the time I don't eat the healthiest (I eat far more pasta than really should be allowed!) sometimes I just need something light. I found this recipe for Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls on Pinch of Yum and it ticked all the boxes. I served it up for dinner one night then I ate the leftover for lunch for the next few days (I highly recommend making extra so you can keep eating it for lunch!) The sauce is amazing and I'm a sucker for a good hummus so they are probably the highlights of the bowl for me, plus they mix so well with the quinoa giving it extra taste and texture, don't take my word for it - go try it!


Mediterranean Quinoa Bowls
adapted from pinch of yum
INGREDIENTS
Roasted Red Pepper Sauce:
  • 1 16 ounce jar roasted red peppers, drained (or roast your own red peppers and win the food game!)
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ teaspoon salt (more to taste)
  • juice of one lemon
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup almonds

For the Mediterranean Bowls (ingredients I used in bold, mix and match to your own tastes)
  • cooked quinoa
  • spinach, kale, or cucumber
  • feta cheese
  • kalamata olives
  • pepperoncini
  • thinly sliced red onion
  • hummus
  • fresh basil or parsley
  • olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper

INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Pulse all the ingredients for the sauce in a food processor or blender until mostly smooth. The texture should be thick and textured.
  2. Cook the quinoa according to package directions.
  3. When the quinoa is done, build yourself a Mediterranean Quinoa Bowl.
  4. Store leftovers in separate containers and assemble each bowl just before serving, especially the greens and the sauces, as those will get soggy when stored with all the other ingredients.

Friday 1 April 2016

5 Little Things That Make Me Happy: Bunnies and More

I am a firm believer in stopping to smell the roses and appreciating the little things in life, cliched? yes, but certainly true. Life has a way of dragging us down sometimes and I'm a self confessed wallower, at these times I try and pick myself up and focus on the little things that make me happy because I really do have plenty to be grateful for. In no particular order this is a few little things I've been grateful for recently:



1. Bunnies, I love the fact that over Easter everyone gets as bunny mad as I am normally and the shops are suddenly filled with everything bunny related. (Please don't get live bunnies for Easter tho, they are a high maintenance pet that with proper care can live up to 10 years, definitely a long term commitment not something for a few weeks!)

2. More bunnies! I'm loving the newest furry members of my family Mulder and Scully:
Mulder the tri-coloured mini lop and Scully the grey Dutch
3. Car servicing in the Barossa Valley. By locking my car service needs into the Barossa Service Centre I have bought myself a few relaxed mornings wandering around Tanunda. My favourite places for a spot of tea and a bite to eat are Nosh and The Mac Shac. Nosh is a great little place for breakfast, lunch or even just a cup of tea or coffee and cake while The Mac Shac offers a wide selection of macarons (who can ever say no!) as well as a wide range of different tea and coffee varieties. It truely was love at first bite (and sip!)
Generous pot of tea for one - at Nosh Barossa 
Seasonal fruit and yogurt - at Nosh Barossa

My friend, Mark, was feeling much hungrier than me and ordered eggs and bacon with plenty on extras - at Nosh Barossa

Best macarons I've had in a while - at The Mac Shac

Speciality mango and chilli tea - at The Mac Shac

4. Being back at Adelaide Oval for the Football, our new seats are much better than last year and I'm excited for the season!   


5. The amazing support from all my wonderful friends! Be it making time for brunch despite a busy schedule, sending me cute photos of bunnies on Instagram, inviting me to stay when I need to, helping build a cage for my bunnies or just being available if I need to talk (and not pressuring me when I inevitably shut up like clam!) you know who you are and I hope you know how much you are all appreciated :) 

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading! What are you feeling grateful for today? 
Goodnight
 A xx