One Pot Moroccan Quinoa

 

2 tsp. unsalted butter or olive oil

1 lemon, thinly sliced

2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 cup finely chopped shallots 

3 garlic cloves minced

2 Tbsp. mild harissa 

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. paprika

1 cup dry quinoa

1 (14.5-oz.) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes

2 cups vegetable broth

1/2 tsp. kosher salt

3 cups fresh baby spinach

1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

1/4 cup sliced green olives 

 

Heat butter in a large skillet with a fitted lid over medium-high heat. Once melted, add lemon slices. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown; flip and cook 1 to 2 additional minutes. Transfer to a plate and reduce heat to medium.

Add oil, shallots, and garlic to pan; cook 3 minutes, until softened. Stir in harissa, cumin, paprika, and quinoa; stir to coat. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to lightly toast quinoa.

Stir in diced tomatoes, broth, and salt; increase heat to bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until quinoa absorbs most liquid and plumps up about 15 to 20 minutes.

Uncover, and stir in spinach until greens wilt into the mixture, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in almonds. Top with olives, fresh herbs, and caramelized lemon slices.

This recipe can be found here.

Crispy Ranch & Lemon Roasted Sprouts

 

1½ lbs Brussels sprouts

⅓ cup oil olive oil

3 tsp. ranch seasoning powder

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. ground pepper

½ tsp garlic powder

⅛ tsp. red pepper flakes

½ tsp. zest of lemon

3 tsp. fresh lemon juice

⅓ cup sliced almonds

¼ cup grated parmesan cheese

 

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Cut off the hard ends of the brussels sprouts. Remove any yellow outer leaves.

Cut in half. Rinse under cold water. Drain and dry well on a kitchen towel.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together oil, ranch powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

Add in Brussels sprouts. Using your hands, toss and coat the sprouts well in the seasoned oil mixture.

Transfer to 2 large baking sheets, with parchment paper. Oil the parchment paper well with vegetable oil. Place facing the cut side down on the sheet about 1½-2 inches apart. Discard any fallen out leaves.

Bake in oven 18-25 minutes.

With 5 minutes remaining, add the almonds.

Remove from oven and sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and salt.

This recipe can be found here.

Almond Cake

 

½ cup unsalted butter

2 large eggs, room temperature

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup flour

1½ Tbsp. almond extract

½ cup slivered almonds

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch square pan or 8-inch pie pan.

Cream eggs and butter in a medium bowl. Add sugar, flour, and almond extract; pour into pan.

Sprinkle with slivered almonds and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely before serving.

This recipe can be found here. 

Almond Toffee Bars

 

CRUST:

1½ cups flour

½ cup powdered sugar

⅔ cup butter

 

FILLING:

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 pkg. toffee bits

1 cup sliced almonds

 

Cut butter into flour and powdered sugar till well mixed. Press into a greased 9x13" pan. Bake at 325° for 18 minutes.

Beat together the milk, egg, and extract till smooth. Stir in the toffee bits and almonds.

Pour over hot crust and bake an additional 23-25 minutes or till crust is lightly browned and topping is bubbly.

Let cool before slicing.

This recipe can be found here.