Simple Pesto Sauce

I have been getting good use out of my new food processor since I got it about a month ago.  One thing I have wanted to try has been a simple pesto sauce, but my blender just couldn't do the trick.  I had purchased a huge bunch of basil from our local farmers market and thought it was a perfect time to use that food processor for some fresh pesto sauce!  Combine this sauce with some brown rice pasta noodles and you have yourself a healthy, tasty dinner.  Enjoy!

Simple Pesto Sauce

Ingredients

2 cups fresh basil leaves
2 cloves of garlic
2 Tbsp walnuts (or any other nut you prefer)
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup hand grated fresh parmesan cheese
Sea salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients into a food processor.  Blend until mixture has reached smooth consistency.  Toss with fresh cooked brown rice pasta, topped with additional fresh grated parmesan cheese.

Bruschetta Quinoa Salad

The nasty germs made their way to our house last week!  Everyone was down at some point during the week so I was a bit MIA.  With a healthy house, I was able to try some new ideas in the kitchen.  Since quinoa and I have a fairly new relationship, I have kept my recipes pretty simple.  I haven't strayed away from hot dishes and was a bit intimidated by cold, salad-like quinoa recipes.  I decided to alter my Bruschetta Quinoa Skillet to a salad version that would be delicious as a side salad, and versatile enough to prep for meal prep.  This was honestly the first time I have ever tried cold quinoa and I must say, it is just as delicious.  Enjoy!

Bruschetta Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa (about 1 cup uncooked)
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup mini mozzarella balls
12 basil leaves, roughly chopped
2 Tbsp garlic, minced
4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 Tbsp pure honey
Sea salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.  Mix well to incorporate all the flavors.  Store in an air tight container, in the refrigerator, for at least 1 hour to allow the ingredients to marinate.

Portobello Mushroom Margherita Pizza

Pizza is one of my weaknesses!  I can't stop at just one piece!  I have this amazing recipe for homemade pizza crust, but I rarely make it because I know I could eat the entire pizza.  I love the plain cheese pizza's, but often opt for a Margherita pizza anytime we are at an Italian restaurant.  It really is my go-to because it would take a special person to mess up a pizza that is so simple.  My family is trying to stay away from as much gluten as possible and not that we don't occasionally indulge in gluten, I try to stay away from it as much as I can.  This Portobello Mushroom Margherita Pizza gives me that fulfillment of pizza, without all the guilt (and tummy ache from all the gluten).  It is so versatile that you can use any toppings you would like and it would be just as delicious!  This is a single serving recipe and can be doubled, tripled, etc, as needed.  Enjoy!

Portobello Mushroom Margherita Pizza

Ingredients

1 large portobello mushroom cap, stem removed and gills scraped off of the underside of the mushroom
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1/4 cup tomato sauce of choice
2 basil leaves, roughly chopped
4 thin slices of Roma tomato
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400*.  Lightly grease a nonstick cookie sheet with 1 Tbsp of coconut oil.  Place mushroom cap, upside down, on cookie sheet.  Brush mushroom with remaining 1 Tbsp coconut oil.  Sprinkle salt and pepper to taste.  Cook mushroom for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and lightly dab excess water from inside of mushroom cap.  Change setting on oven to broil.  Add tomato sauce to mushroom cap, followed by basil and tomato slices.  Top with mozzarella cheese.  Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown.  Make sure you keep an eye on the mushroom during broil, as every oven can differ in temp.