Do you get tired of the same old same old? Are you looking to try something new, but don’t want to go completely berserk about it? Why not pick one day of the week to try something different?
If you haven’t heard of the Monday Campaigns, you should check it out. The Monday Campaign is a great idea to use if you are looking to start small. When you sign up, you will receive weekly emails on different things to try. As Monday is the first day of the week, it tends to be a great day to start new trends. Examples of the Monday Campaigns are Meatless Monday, Move It Monday, Kids Can Cook Monday, etc.
Here are a couple of recipes that are easy to make and delicious that come from their website:
Cranberry Walnut Quinoa Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed well
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate balsamic vinegar (use standard balsamic if you don’t have pomegranate balsamic)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- a squirt of lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- pinch of black pepper
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup walnut halves
- 1 pound broccoli, stem trimmed and cut to bite size
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
Adult: Put 1/2 Tbsp oil into saucepan over medium heat. Add quinoa and cook for 1 minute, stirring to coat in the oil. Add 1 cup water, and bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simer for 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed. When quinoa is cooked, transfer to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Kid: Whisk vinegar, olive oil and lemon juice together in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Adult: Place a separate skillet over medium-low heat. Add walnuts to toast, stirring frequently, for about 4 minutes, or until walnuts become fragrant. Transfer the walnuts to a small bowl and set aside.
Adult: Place the remaining tablespoon olive oil in skillet. Add shallots and cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes, or until shallots begin to brown.
Together: Add broccoli and 1/4 cup water to skillet. Cover and cook for about 2 minutes, or until broccoli becomes crisp tender. Uncover and add cranberries. Then, add the broccoli, walnuts and feta to the quinoa. Dress with the vinaigrette, tossing to ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed and enjoy!
Easy Grilled Vegetable Tostadas
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- pinch each, salt & pepper
- 1 sweet onion, cut in rounds
- 1 sweet red pepper, cut in 2″ chunks
- 2 zucchinis, sliced lengthwise 1/2″ thick
- 4 tortillas (flour or corn) 6″ diameter
- 1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled, sliced
Bean Spread:
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 can red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper sauce (like Frank’s Red Hot)
- pinch each, salt & pepper
In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, lime juice, chili, cumin, salt & pepper. Add onion, red pepper, and zucchini. Toss to coat. Reserving oil mixture, place vegetables on greased grill over med-high heat (I found it easier to use a grilling basket). Close grill lid and grill for about 10 min, turning occasionally and brushing with reserved oil mixture.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat together oil, garlic, chili & cumin over med. heat about 1 min. Add beans, lime juice, pepper sauce, salt & pepper. Cook, stirring and breaking beans up with wooden spoon, about 2 min. Cover and keep warm.
Brush remaining oil on tortillas and grill each side for about 1 min. To serve, top with bean spread, vegetables and avocado. YUMMY!
To find more great Monday Campaigns, visit their website at www.mondaycampaigns.org.
Posted by Jen, Group Fitness/Zumba Instructor
