Quin-Whaa??!: Chicken Apple Quinoa Salad with Cranberries

So you gave up gluten?  Congrats, it's quite an accomplishment.  Well, actually, giving up gluten isn't an accomplishment; it's more of a statement.  It's the days, weeks, and months to follow that are the accomplishment.  But trust me, your belly will thank you.

So, what do I eat if I can't eat wheat?!

First of all, don't interrupt me.  Secondly, almost anything, but lets look at something grain-like, our new best friend, quinoa.  Quinoa is a staple for a gluten-free diet, and in addition to being gluten-free, it is loaded with tons of nutrients that pasta and rice only wish they could deliver.

Can we get to the recipe now?  I'm hungry

Me too, let's start. 

Quinoa, Apple, Cran Salad with Chicken

Fair warning: I make this in bulk so I can bring it for lunch, so this makes a fair amount

Ingredients 
1 cup quinoa (dry, it will grow like the ill-advised baby alligators that are supposedly running around the the sewers... remember that?)
2 chicken breasts
1/2 cup dried cranberries
3 apples
flax seed
olive oil


Instructions
Prepare the quinoa as directed and refrigerate until cool throughout.
Prepare the chicken the way you like it.  I like to sauté it in olive oil with pepper and a little bit of mustard. Cube and cool.
Chop the apples into cubes roughly the same size as the chicken pieces.
Toss all ingredients together in a bowl, adding as much flax seed as you want (go crazy!)
You're done!  Go watch reruns of Jersey Shore!


-Dodge

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Image credit
The picture is a compilation of images I found on Google image search, then got all Photoshop on their asses.  Check out where they came from!
Apples: http://www.sunipix.com/fruitsvegetables19.htm

Quinoa: http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/805865/creative-quinoa-recipes

Flax: http://muschiesbakedgoods.com/page8.html
Cranberries: http://www.cranmoms.com/2010/09/28/dry-your-cranberries/

In Go the Beans: Adventures with Kale, Onion, and White Beans

Greetings!

It was brought to my attention very recently that it is possible for food to effect mood (Thank you, Courtney Pong!).  I know, obviously, right?  Well, sometimes the most obvious things are hidden in plain sight.  I could regale you with my story of food-related woes and the journey I took to overcome them, but what I would rather do is start telling you about the delectable, healthy food that I've been cooking as a result.

Let's start with the simple, yet sublime, dish I made this evening whilst tossing back a glass of white wine, talking on speaker phone to my pal, and shaking my jean-skirted bottom to Lana Del Ray.

Wilted Kale with White Beans & Onion

Alternate title: Take That People Who Say You Need Dairy to Get Your Calcium

Ingredients:

All ingredients can be substituted with whatever the fuck you think sounds better

10 oz kale, chopped (I used the pre-chopped bag kind because it was on sale)

1 yellow onion

1 can white beans (drained and rinsed)

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon brown sugar

1/2 - 3/4 cup water, stock, or other flavored liquid (please do not use Diet Coke)

kosher salt

olive oil

Directions:

Pour yourself a glass of wine or whatever it is you're drinking; water with lime juice is another good option.

In a large pan, drizzle olive oil and add the chopped onion and garlic.  Sauté until onion is translucent and your kitchen smells like fuckin' heaven.

Add half of the kale and half of the liquid.  Cover the pan and reduce heat slightly.  Once the kale has wilted, add the rest of the kale and stock.  Cover and wait.

Periodically toss the ingredients.  Once all is wilted and looking delicious, add the white beans, salt, and brown sugar and toss.  Let it simmer until the kale is fully wilted, but still has enough spine to tell you off if you diss it's mother.

Enjoy!

Dodge