Corn Salsa

This has to be my favorite thing to make. I could eat this for every meal and never get tired of it. It is refreshing, sweet, savory...and not so bad for you!

The list:
4 ears fresh corn, or 3 cans sweet corn, drained
1 12oz jar roasted red peppers, chopped
2 avacados
2 green onions, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1 jalapeno
3 tbsp minced cilantro
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp white vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp cumin

If I am using fresh corn, I like to boil it for a few minutes first, to get the bright yellow color, but not too much so it gets soggy. You still want that bite to it. If it is not corn season, go ahead and use about 3 cans of sweet corn. (Let the corn cool completely before cutting it off the cobb

Mix the corn with all the other ingrediants. Chill for a few hours. Serve with chips.

I dont use the jalepenos....too spicy for me. That, and I have an obsession with avacados. So I usually add one more. I like to have a piece with every bite!

Death by Brownie

Oh. My. Word. Where do people come up with these things? I have been seeing a "brownie" floating around the  blog world and finally gave the recipe a try. Layers of chocolate chip cookie, Oreo cookie, and brownie. Yes. Seriously. I do not know who the original founder is, but they created a true monster. I have gotten pretty good about being able to stay away from my baking if it isn't gluten free. But this, I had to try. I could not resist. So worth it. I know that I will be in pain all week, sick as a dog, and probably come down with the cold or flu, but I had to. And oh, it was so worth it.....

(picture from whatsgabycooking.com)

This can be easy, or it can be time consuming....guess which route I took?
You can make your own cookie dough and your own brownie batter, but I went with the store bought method. Besides, I wasn't going to eat it anyway, right? I did....and it was still delicious. When you can cheat, go for it.

1 1/2 rolls Pillsbury chocolate chip cookie dough
1 pack Oreo cookies
1 box brownie mix

Coat a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Press cookie dough down covering entire pan. Place Oreos across the pan. Mix brownie mix according to box, and pour over top. Bake 350 for 35 minutes.
Now, the good part. You can just take the pan out of the oven, let cool for a few hours, cut into bars and eat like a cookie/brownie.
OR, you can take the pan out of the oven, get a heaping scoop of warm, gooey goodness into a bowl, and serve with ice cream. And then curse me for making you gain 5 lbs. Sorry.

Breakfast Quinoa

I was introduced to quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) a little over a year ago. Well, I should say I tried it for the first time. I have always heard about it, but never tried it. It is a grain, most typically prepared like a rice dish with veggies and such. It is small, round and when cooked becomes transparent. But, the wonderful thing about this is that it is an amazing protein superfood. This stuff is packed with protein. So, for vegetarians this stuff is great.
I, being one who does not like breakfast, is allergic to eggs, and the only real thing I enjoy to eat, oatmeal, I have to be careful of unless it is certified gluten free, needed to try something. What if I cooked this grain and prepared it like I would my oatmeal? I mean, it works with rice, right? Rice pudding is delish, by the way. So, I cooked it and instead of water, used milk, and added some brown sugar, and fresh berries. And, it was amazing. My new favorite breakfast. Bonus, packed with that protein so with my busy schedule, it keeps me going until lunch time!
Breakfast Quinoa
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups milk
2 tbsp brown sugar
1/8 tsp cinnamon
Bring milk to a boil in a small pot, add quinoa and cook for about 8 minutes. Add brown sugar and cinnamon. Continue to cook until the quinoa has soaked up all the milk and it is cooked through. Serve with added milk, brown sugar, or fresh berries....or all of the above.
Makes 4 servings
(I make a batch and keep the left-overs in the fridge for the rest of the week)