Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Need a side dish for a cookout this weekend? Then this dish is for you! Quinoa makes a perfect summer salad and is naturally gluten-free. Quinoa is also a complete protein and contains more protein than any other grain.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

2 cups quinoa

1 pint grape cherries, sliced

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced

3/4 cup kalamta olives, pitted and sliced

1 pint crumbled feta cheese

3/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tbs oregano

1/2 tbs basil

salt and pepper to taste

Prepare quinoa to package direction. Then chill in fridge until cool. In a small bowl mix together vinegar, oil, and seasonings. Then mix all the ingredients together and enjoy! This recipe made a huge bowl. You can cut the recipe in half if you're not expecting a large.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Brochette

I worked at a Mexican restaurant years ago that had the best grilled shrimp stuffed with jalapeno, cheese, and wrapped in bacon. One of my buddies I worked with came to visit recently and we decided it was necessary to try and recreate these amaing bites of goodness. Normally you would cook this on the grill, but it was unusually windy this particular day so we ended up broiling them instead.

Bacon Wrapped Shrimp Brochette

8 jumbo Shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 slices Bacon
2 Jalapenos, seeded and cut into thick slices
2 oz Monterey Jack Cheese, cut into thick slices
4 bambo skewers, soaked in water

Stuff shrimp with a slice of jalapeno and cheese. Wrap with bacon and skewer to keep in place. Place on grill for approx 5 mins until shrimp is cooked and bacon is crispy brown.






We served our shrimp with a side of sauteed squash and onions, and asparagus cooked with bacon (of course).



Enjoy!

Shrimp and Goat Cheese Quesadilla

I pretty much LOVE goat cheese so I was so psyched when my mom bought me some Queso Fresco goat cheese. Obviously the best choice was to make some type of Mexican dish! I took two corn tortillas and filled them with goat cheese and grilled shrimp chopped in pieces. I just used a little cooking spray in a frying pan and cooked the quesadilla on both sides till golden and cheese is gooey. Garnish with avocado, salsa and Greek yogurt. It's any goat cheese lovers dream!

Shrimp and Asparagus Stirfry

With Spring here and asparagus in abundance, I needed to think of something different to do with veggies. I decided to throw some asparagus and mushrooms I had in with some shrimp and schezwan sauce and created this simple easy gluten-free meal! Served over brown rice and you have a meal ready in minutes. I buy the frozen kind of rice you microwave from Trader Joe's - I've never been good at cooking rice on my own.