I think I may have just made myself the healthiest lunch I’ve ever eaten. I am very pleased. Jason will not go near it. But that’s okay.

But before I get to that, I saw this 10 on Tuesday (yeah I know it’s not Tuesday) questionnare on the wonderful Dairy Free Betty’s blog and just had to steal it (she gave her readers permission to do so! 🙂 )

10 on Tuesday Wednesday: Foodie Edition

1. What is a food that you never thought you would try, but then tried and liked? Wasabi! I’m deathly afraid of spiciness so I never wanted to try it but when I did I realized that the heat doesn’t overpower it’s amazing flavor and now I love it!

2. Do you subscribe to any foodie publications? If so, which ones? I just subscribed to Whole Living, does that count?

3. What ingredient do you find yourself reaching for the most when you cook? Just the typical things: salt, pepper, garlic, onion, olive oil…

4. Are there any foods that you hated as a child, but then learned to like as an adult? Not that I can think of. I never have been very picky, I’ve always liked pretty much anything!

5. What do you like to eat that others may consider weird? I love drinking half-and-half…like the little tiny packages they give you with coffee…everyone who has seen me do that thinks I am crazy/disgusting hahaha! It is a bad habit…especially since my body hates dairy…

6. What is the weirdest ingredient you’ve ever cooked with? Mountain Dew! Pioneer woman has an amazing dessert that uses it!

7. Do you have any major food allergies? Just dairy…and greasy food gives me crazy heartburn.

8. Is there an ingredient that you would like to cook with, but are intimidated to try? There’s several actually! Chia seeds, coconut butter, nutritional yeast, endive, orzo, flax oil, red cabbage, ricotta, buckwheat flour, arugula–hey I’ve only had my own kitchen for a few months, I’ve got lots to try!!!

9. Do you bake? Since going dairy-free, not so much. But normally, YES. Definitely.

10. If you could go on any “foodie” show to compete, which one would it be, and why? Ummm….I am not nearly seasoned enough to be on any competition. My dream would be to do a Throwdown with Bobby Flay. But I wouldn’t mind losing to him at all!

Okay that was fun! Moving on to the other good stuff.

Balsamic Quinoa Salad (inspired by this recipe from Cooking Quinoa)

Dressing:

• 1/4 c. balsamic vingar
• 1 T. dijon mustard
• 1/4 c. olive oil

Salad:

• 1 c. quinoa
• 2 c. water
• 1/4 c. sun dried tomatoes, julienned
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 t. chicken bouillon
• 1/2 can red kidney beans
• 1 grilled chicken breast
• 1 c. raw baby spinach leaves
• salt and pepper to taste

-Put the quinoa and water in a small pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 5 minutes, remove pan from heat and cover to let steam for 15 minutes.

-Add garlic and sun-dried tomatoes to the pot, stir gently, and put the top back on to let steam another 5 minutes.

-Empty the quinoa into a bowl and allow it to cool.

-While it cools, sautee the onions in a small skillet. And while the onions sautee, combine the ingredients for the dressing in a glass measuring cup.

-Rinse the beans in room temperature water.

-To the quinoa add the beans, onions, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine gently with a spatula.

-Add the dressing and spinach and toss gently. Slice the chicken breast and top the salad with it. Enjoy! Makes 4 servings of salad.

This was so good, WAY better than I was expecting! I had quinoa once before, a sweet breakfast version, and wasn’t a fan at all. This, however, was delicious, and PACKED with nutrition! LOVE IT!

Jason and I are off to listen to some company advertise for their time shares in Williamsburg and in return we get $10 season passes to Busch Gardens! SO EXCITED!!! We love that place.

Thanks for reading!

-Lauren