{Chunky 2 Bean Quinoa Chili}

Ah, Winter!  You’re still here…

February is one of the toughest months for me – and I am sure others would agree with me on this one!  By February I am just over winter.  I don’t want to bundle up anymore, the sight of snow makes me want to cry, and I find myself googling tropical vacations because I have the itch to just get out of the frozen tundra I call home!  Yes, February can be brutal, but thankfully there are things like this delicious Chunky Two Bean Chili with Quinoa that helps warm me up and even brightens my day just a little bit!

I love making a big batch of chili on a Sunday or Monday night and then enjoying the leftovers all week!  Makes meals super easy and lunch packing a breeze, plus the longer this chili sits the more the flavors begin to meld and the more delicious it becomes! 

Chunky Two Bean Chili with Quinoa 

Brunch N’Cupcakes

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

1 – 15 Ounce Can Chickpeas (Drained and Rinsed)

1 – 15 Ounce Can Black Beans (Drained and Rinsed

1 – 15 Ounce Can White Hominy (Drained and Rinsed, I used Bush’s Brand)

2 – 15 Ounce Cans Fire Roasted Tomatoes (Un-drained)

1 – 15 Ounce Can Sweet Corn – No Salt Added (Drained and Rinsed)

½ a Large Onion Roughly Chopped

½ a Large Green Pepper Roughly Chopped

½ Tablespoon Chili Powder

1 Tablespoon Ground Cumin

1 Tablespoon Curry Powder

1 Tablespoon Garlic Powder

½ Cup Dry Quinoa – Prepared according to package directions

Directions:

1- In a large soup pot coated with cooking spray sauté onions until fragrant and translucent.  Add in green peppers and sauté until tender.

2- Stir in beans, hominy, corn, un-drained tomatoes and spices.

3- Bring to boil.  Once chili is boiling reduce to simmer and cook for 15 minutes.   Stir in quinoa and cook an additional 5 minutes.

**Serve with shredded cheese, avocado slices, chips, Greek Yogurt or your favorite chili toppings!

Enjoy!

More delicious “chili” recipes to get you through February!
Quinoa Chili - Damn Delicious 
Quinoa Turkey Chili - Taste of Home 
White Chili - Cooking Light 

{Valentine’s Day – Sweet Treat Round Up}

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner (tomorrow to be exact)  which means there is still time to whip up some sweet treats for the people you care about most in your life!  Staying in for dinner or making brunch at home?   Well here is a list of some of my favorite go to dinners, delicious breakfast treats – all perfect for that special someone in your life! 

Brunch Favorites - Perfect for the ones you love! 
Almond Poppyseed Muffins - Brunch N'Cupcakes 

Lemon Muffins with Sweet Lemon Glaze  - Brunch N'Cupcakes

Sugar Top Muffins - Brunch N'Cupcakes

Valentine's Day worthy dinners! 
Shrimp Risotto - A favorite of Derek and I - Taste of Home

Creamy Polenta with Spicy Tomato Chickpea Sauce

Baked Stuffed Lemon Chicken - Brunch N'Cupcakes

Scrumptious desserts! 
Homemade White Chocolate Truffles - Brunch N'Cupcakes 

Classic Fudge Brownies - Cooking Light and make this frosting to drizzle over!

Not a chocolate lover?  How about a Lemon Poppyseed Cake with delicious Cream Cheese Frosting! Brunch N'Cupcakes

Enjoy – and Happy Early Valentine’s Day!

{Shaved Brussel Sprout and Purple Cabbage Salad}

Simplicity – what I am aiming for these days and the word that perfectly describes this delicious salad!  This salad isn’t fussy or fancy it is just simple ingredients combined together for a delicious outcome.  What I like best about this salad is that the majority of the “ingredients” are pantry staples in my house. 

 The other thing I love is that the star ingredients are Shaved Brussel Sprouts and Purple Cabbage – two things which I absolutely love – not sure why!   This salad is great for tossing together Sunday night and eating throughout the week – the flavors get stronger as the week goes and the cabbage and brussel sprouts both begin to soften a bit.  I serve this simple salad with chickpeas or tempeh for protein and some sunflower seeds or peanuts for added crunch!

Shaved Brussel Sprout  and Purple Cabbage Salad

Brunch N’Cupcakes

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

3-4 Cups Purple Cabbage – Shredded (One small or ½ a medium should do)

1 Bag Shaved Brussel Sprouts (Target and Trader Joe’s both have – need about 3 cups)

2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar

2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil

1 Tablespoon Garlic

1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

¼ Teaspoon Sea Salt

Sesame Seeds, Tempeh, Chickpeas, Peanuts for Garnishing/Serving

Directions –

1- In a large bowl combine purple cabbage and brussel Sprouts – mix until combined, set aside.

2- In a small bowl whisk together white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, sesame oil and spices.

3- Pour dressing over cabbage and brussel sprouts until evenly coated – serve.

Note – Top salad with tempeh or chickpeas for protein (Grilled chicken would also be delicious), and a tablespoon of peanuts or sesame seeds for a little crunch!

Check out these other delicious salads from around the web!
Nutty Warm Brussel Sprout Salad - Cooking Light 
Pecan and Blue Cheese Brussel Sprout Salad - Cooking Light 
Raw Shredded Brussel Sprouts with Lemon and Oil - Skinny Taste 

Enjoy!

{Almond Chocolate Cherry Snack Bars}

Valentine’s Day is on my mind– so that means I cannot stop thinking about all things red, pink and chocolate!  I know these Chocolate Cherry Almond Snack Bars  are not the decedent Valentine’s day treat you were hoping for but I promise they are delicious!  

  

These little snack bars are studded with tart cherries (red for Valentine's day), packed full of chocolaty goodness and feature Almond Butter one of my all-time favorites (and a great alternative to peanut butter- read about the health benefits of almonds here, and here)!  They are healthy, no bake and quick to throw together – plus you can add any sort of mix ins you like to make them all your own!  I have been enjoying these bars crumbled over my Greek yogurt as “granola” enjoying them plain or even topping one with a little Greek yogurt frosting – (recipe here) for a sweet treat!  They are delicious!

Almond Chocolate Cherry Snack Bars

Brunch N’Cupcakes

Makes 15 Bars

Ingredients:

1/3 Cup Dried Cherries – I buy bulk bin cherries by the pound

1/3 Cup Mini Chocolate Chips

2 ½ Cup Oatmeal – I used quick cooking

1 1/3 Cup Almond Butter (I used Almond Butter – from Nuts.Com)

¼ Cup Maple Syrup

Directions:

1- Combine dried cherries, and oatmeal together in a large mixing bowl.  Set aside.

2-  In a microwave safe bowl combine peanut butter and maple syrup.  Microwave for 1 minute (stirring after 30 seconds).  Peanut butter should be melted and easy to stir – if not place in microwave for an additional 30 seconds.

3-  Slowly pour peanut butter mixture into your oat mixture.  Stir until oats and cherries are evenly covered.

4- Stir in chocolate chips.

5- Press dough into a 9x13 baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray – place in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to allow bars to set. Cut and enjoy!

**Note these bars get soft if they are stored out on the counter.  I store mine in an airtight container either in the fridge or freezer!

Enjoy!