Corn & Black Bean Quinoa Salad

There are so many things I love about this salad, it's difficult to choose a favorite.  But choose I will...my favorite thing is that all the ingredients are things I generally have on hand.   Everything besides cilantro I basically always have and cilantro is something we buy practically every week so it's a rare occasion when I don't have that too.  That being said, don't start thinking it's only mediocre in the flavor department.  It is a nice, hearty salad with a savory, slightly tangy and spicy dressing that really brings everything together.  It is incredibly delicious when it's warm, but also heavenly when it's cold--making it great for a hot summer day.

Corn & Black Bean Quinoa Salad

Number of Servings: 6
Time to Prepare: 40 minutes

• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro

Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat.  When hot, add onions and saute for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions just being to brown.  Add the garlic and stir for a minute or two, until fragrant.

Add the quinoa and cover with the broth.  Stir in cumin, cayenne, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for about 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed.  

Stir in the frozen corn and the black beans.  Cover and let sit off the heat for 5-6 minutes, until the corn and beans are heated through.  Stir in the cilantro.  Serve warm or chilled.

Source: slightly adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Produce Used: Onion, garlic, corn, cilantro

Hazelnut Pudding Parfait

I am a huge dessert lover.  It's all I can do to stop myself from making some sort of baked good everyday.  And then of course on the days I don't, I'm scrounging around the kitchen trying to find any sort of treat I can stuff in my face after the kids go to bed.  Which makes me wish I had made some sort of baked good.  Of course now that summer is here I am much less inclined to want to turn the oven on so I have to come up with non-baked desserts to satisfy my pesky little sweet tooth.  Enter this delightful pudding parfait.  The hazelnut is a perfect summer flavor, in my opinion.  It isn't too heavy or strong, and it pairs really nicely with fresh fruit and chocolate.  The creamy homemade pudding and the bright fruit flavor of this dessert are really perfect for a hot summer evening.

Hazelnut Pudding Parfait

Number of Servings: 4-6
Time to Prepare: 4 hours 20 minutes

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 5 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 cups milk
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 tsp hazelnut extract
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2-3 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 1/2 tsp hazelnut extract
•  12 Oreos, crushed
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 lb strawberries, sliced

Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan.  Add milk and stir until smooth.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches a gentle boil.  Remove from heat.

Stir egg yolks just until blended.  Add a small amount of the hot milk mixture to the egg yolks, stirring quickly and constantly.  Slowly whisk the egg yolk mixture into the saucepan, again stirring quickly and constantly.  Return to a gentle boil and cook for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and stir in butter and 2 tsp hazelnut extract.

Pour pudding into a glass or plastic bowl and cover with plastic wrap, lightly pressing the plastic wrap directly against the surface of the pudding to prevent a skin from forming.  Chill until completely cooled, about 4 hours.

Once the pudding is cooled, whip the cream until soft peaks form.  Add the powdered sugar and hazelnut extract and continue whipping until firm peaks form.

Spoon the pudding into serving dishes.  Spread Oreo crumbs over the top, then add the sliced bananas and strawberries.  Top with a dollop of the hazelnut whipped cream.

Produce Used: Bananas, strawberries
Source: Me

Rich and Creamy Hot Cocoa

I know, I know, it's practically summer and I'm posting a hot chocolate recipe.  What can I say, I like to live on the edge.  If you're not quite as edgy as me, then just tuck this one away for a few months.  But make sure to come back to it--you will thank me.  As the name attests, this hot cocoa is super rich and creamy with just the right touch of sweetness.  The cayenne provides a subtle undertone of heat without being overtly spicy and the vanilla and nutmeg really round out the flavor profile beautifully.  We like to serve this with homemade baked donuts for dunking, but don't let that stop you from enjoying it with anything really.  Or on its own because hey, why not?

Rich and Creamy Hot Cocoa

Number of Servings: 6
Time to Prepare: 20 minutes

• 2/3 cup cocoa
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 oz bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao or more), grated or finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch
• large pinch kosher salt
• dash cayenne pepper
• 6 cups milk
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
• 2 tsp vanilla

In a large saucepan, whisk together cocoa, sugar, grated chocolate, cornstarch, salt, and cayenne.  Slowly pour in milk, whisking to incorporate.  Put over medium heat and cook, stirring frequently, until hot.  Whisk in cream, nutmeg, and vanilla.  Serve warm, topped with marshmallows if desired.

Source: adapted from Smitten Kitchen

Cilantro Lime Fish Tacos

I've tried a few fish taco recipes lately and had some disappointing dinners, but this one is a definite winner.  It really hit the spot and had the perfect balance of spiciness, creaminess, and crunch.  They are a bright, fresh, healthy bite that's just perfect for summer.  And the best part is that it comes together so quickly!  I made these this past week on a day where I had a lot of different things going on--family in town, a (surprisingly lengthy) school tour to attend, some shopping to do, and post-guest house cleaning.  By the time 5:00 rolled around, I just wanted to sit on the couch for a while.  Thanks to this great recipe, I got to do that and still have dinner on the table by 6:00.  It was awesome!

Cilantro Lime Fish Tacos

Number of Servings: 3-4
Time to Prepare: 20 minutes

• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 small red onion, diced small
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 small jalapenos, finely chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 pound cod (or similar white fish)
• kosher salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1 stalk celery, cut into thin matchsticks about 1.5" in length

In a large, non-stick skillet heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the onions and saute, stirring occasionally until the onion just begin to brown on the edges, about 7 minutes.   Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.  Add the jalapeno, tomato, and lime juice and heat through. 

Add the fish and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes.  As it begins to turn opaque, break it up into bite-size chunks.  Once the fish is cooked through and the the liquid is somewhat reduced, season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the cilantro.

In a small, dry frying pan, heat the the tortillas over medium heat for a couple minutes on each side to warm them.  Scoop some of the fish mixture into the tortillas and top with avocado and celery.

Source: adapted from Mel's Kitchen Cafe
Produce Used: Red onion, garlic, jalapeno, tomato, lime, cilantro, avocado, celery