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July 28, 2010

funky quinoa & walnut chicken

Filed under: Dinner — Tags: , , , — Kristen :) @ 3:20 pm

I saw a box of red quinoa at TJ’s the other day and had to give it a try!  Isn’t TJ’s just the bomb?  I’m so glad we have one fairly close to us. I always seem to find something new to try.  Well, that’s how I am at most grocery stores, go in for one or two things and come out like a kid in a candy store.  Chris says I am no longer allowed in Whole Foods, ha! I also made my usual walnut crusted chicken with the quinoa dish, but added another ingredient for some extra crunch and texture.  You’ll see!  

Chris was busy with summer school stuff the other day, so I was left to the kitchen by myself which was fine because these recipes don’t take too long at all actually.  The longest part was the baking time for the quinoa.

I based this red quinoa bake off of my quinoa chicken & broccoli casserole, but used some lemon-basil mix I had leftover from the Buitoni pasta party.

Red quinoa is pretty similar in taste, nutrition and texture to regular quinoa, except for the fact that it has a lovely red hue.

Isn’t it purdy?

Everyone in the pot.

Usually I crust the chicken with a walnut, breadcrumb, parmesan, herb mixture, but decided to try Uncle Sam Cereal instead of the breadcrumbs.  I received this free sample from Attune and I wanted to experiment with it outside of just cereal.  It was tasty!  It gave the chicken a nice nutty, crunchy flavor.  On it’s own, it’s a little bland, but it is packed with fiber and nutrients that would be great for a multitude of recipes and mixed in with other cereal favorites.

I threw it in the food processor with the walnuts.

I love this coating for chicken. nom nom nom

After baking at 400 for about 30-35 minutes, this casserole sure looks funky, but is delish!

All together now.  Certainly should have had a salad on the side, but can’t win all the time.  We just wanted to eat!

I also made an impulse buy at Whole Foods, since they didn’t carry Attune chocolate probiotic bars 🙁 I was craving some mint chocolate and thought a nice piece was in order after dinner.  This wasn’t quite minty and dark chocolate-y enough for me, but it still cured the chocolate fix.

Happy Wednesday!  Boy this week is draaaagin’ for me, but I made it to spin yesterday morning and am hoping for some weights tomorrow morning.  It actually cooled down to low 100s here, and possibly 97 with showers this weekend! yay for some reprieve from the heat!

Don’t forget to enter my ReGen Giveaway (winner announced Friday) and click for LIVESTRONG 🙂

What’s something ‘funky’ you’ve made recently?

12 Comments »

  1. oooh this looks wonderful! i love quinoa 🙂
    My spaghetti pie looked quite “funky” last night but it tasted yum!

    Comment by Lisa (Bake Bike Blog) — July 28, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

  2. I love TJ’s red quinoa!! It’s so colorful!! Your quinoa casserole sounds delish! I love Uncle Sam’s cereal – seeing your photos brought back major nostalgia! 🙂 My parents did such a thorough job of not giving me sugary cereals as a little kid that my childhood breakfast cereals were Uncle Sam’s, Wheatabix, and plain shredded wheat! I didn’t know anything different, so I loved them all, and still do! 🙂

    Comment by Astra Libris — July 28, 2010 @ 6:56 pm

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  4. I have never tried red quinoa before. Love the color!
    I know what you mean about TJ’s and Whole Foods. It is so hard to not want to buy everything.
    I am such a boring cook that I haven’t done too many funky things in the kitchen. I need to get on that I think!!

    Comment by Kristen (swanky dietitian) — July 29, 2010 @ 12:04 pm

  5. I found red quinoa at Price Chopper just a few weeks ago so it’s not just at specialty stores!

    Comment by Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous — July 29, 2010 @ 2:47 pm

  6. I love TJ’s, too! So many great items at low prices. I’ve only tried traditional quinoa, but I bet I would like red quinoa. Great use for Uncle Sam’s cereal, too!

    Comment by Emily — July 29, 2010 @ 5:52 pm

  7. I have that same TJ’s red quinoa! Definitely saving these recipes… I bought the quinoa ages ago and have only used it once in a stir-fry type of thing. These dishes look perfect!

    Comment by Megan @ The Oatmeal Diaries — July 30, 2010 @ 10:09 am

  8. Ok, all I could think about was you while I was at the tour de France ending. I thought, how did I stumble in to this, I know Kristen would love to be here in the spirit with everyone. Even though I am not that into it, it was amazing to be there and see them come in to Paris. I will be posting a video on facebook.

    Comment by Melinda — July 30, 2010 @ 2:52 pm

  9. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are my two weaknesses. I just find all kinds of new things to try.

    Comment by Stacey@http://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/ — August 1, 2010 @ 10:36 am

  10. Loving your walnut chicken recipe! Making my grocery list now!! Thanks!

    Comment by The Healthy Apron — August 2, 2010 @ 7:33 am

  11. Looks delicious! Also, my grandma totally had those plates when I was growing up. Corelle is sure sturdy!

    Comment by Joanne @ Mostly Fit Mom — August 2, 2010 @ 4:06 pm

  12. Joanne, ah yes, those lovely antique plates, I’ve had them for ages!

    Comment by Kristen :) — August 2, 2010 @ 4:25 pm

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