Happy Mothers Day

We usually go over to my parents on Sunday to watch the Amazing Race. Today being the final episode and also Mothers Day, I put together some appetizers for the occasion.


First, some chili spiced almonds. This recipe was found on some random recipe application I have on my iPhone.

2cups almonds
2tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
some freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a pan on the stove. Add the pepper flakes and black pepper. Stir for a minute or so. Add the almonds and stir for about 8 minutes until the skin starts to darken and it starts to smell REALLY good. Let them cool before you try to sample them!


Next, just some cucumber rounds I put together with some things we had in the fridge. I peeled a cucumber and cut it into slices. Topped them with a dot of low fat veggie cream cheese. Half of them have a shrimp and dill, the other half - sundried tomatoes and matchstick carrots with paprika. Super easy to make and you could use so many different toppings. Artichoke hearts, smoked salmon, cheese... endless!


Finally, the olive penguins! This recipe was from Jason's cousin who got it from an aunt who got it out of a magazine. I only saw pictures of these little guys and did my best to recreate them. The feet and beak are carrots of course and I put a little line down their middles with cream cheese. The easiest way to do this was to let it soften a bit and then put some in a ziplock bag with the tip cut off. My guys look a little messy... I could have been more careful I suppose but I was worried the olives were drying out! You could also cut the tips off the toothpicks since they do get a little discolored when they're poked through the olive. I left them on because it's easier to pick one up.

MY REVIEW: These all turned out pretty well. I really like making artistic little things like this. I find it relaxing almost... or maybe hypnotizing is a better word. I'm glad they were enjoyed by all.

JASON'S REVIEW: I really liked the penguins because they were cute and they tasted like my favorite food *olives. (You don't say!)

*Jason's favorite food is actually lasagna

Quinoa With Toasted Almonds and Dried Cranberries

I always see quinoa in my vegeratian cookbooks but today was the first time I cooked it AND the first time I've eatten it! I tried this recipe found on the Savvy Vegetarian website:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds
• 1 veggie cube
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

1. Soak the quinoa 1/2 - 1 hour in cold water
2. Rinse very thoroughly in water several times. For each rinse, pour off most of the water and finish draining through a large fine mesh strainer
3. Shake dry in the strainer
4. On medium heat, stir and toast the sliced almonds until golden
5. Remove from pan
6. Stir and toast the quinoa until dry and turning color
7. Transfer toasted quinoa, toasted almonds, and cranberries to 2 qt saucepan
8. Add boiling water, veggie cube, salt, bay leaf and cinnamon stick
9. Bring back to boil
10. Cover, turn the heat to simmer, cook for 20 minutes
11. Remove from heat and allow to sit five minutes with lid on
12. Fluff gently with a fork and serve.

I followed it to a tee. After doing some research on the stuff, looks like I'll be cooking a lot more of it! It's really high in protein - good for the vegetarian diet.

Everything I read stresses the importance of rinsing it really well. The saponins that it's soaked in is really bitter and not a good thing to eat. One person said they use the water they soak the quinoa in as a spray to prevent bugs from wrecking flowers. Not something you want in your belly.

MY REVIEW: This was really really good. It was nutty and crunchy.. I'd say I like it more than cous cous for that reason. It didn't get mushy at all. It looks to be very versatile so I look forward to trying some other methods of preparing it.

JASON'S REVIEW: It was very good and filling and had great flavor.