QUINOA: Mexican Quinoa

FEATURED ITEM:

QUINOA

WHY STORE THIS ITEM:

• According to Stilltasty.com, it is good for one year in a cool, dry place.
• Quinoa is unusually nutrient dense, a good source of fiber and provides a good source of complete protein. 
• It is easy to cook and can easily be substituted for rice in most recipes. 

DINNER RECIPE:

Mexican Quinoa

In order for me to be excited about and love a meal, it needs the following characteristics: colorful, tasty, and easy. It doesn't have to be healthy, although this meal has that going for it too. This entire meal literally takes less than 30 minutes. This recipe is adapted from one I found on Annie's Eats. 

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves minced garlic

3-4 jalapenos, seeded depending on your love of heat, and diced

1 cup quinoa, well rinsed

1 1/4 cups vegetable broth (chicken broth works well too)

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can diced tomatoes

2 cups corn

1/2 tsp salt

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Juice of one lime

Cheese and sour cream for topping (optional)

Directions:

Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the garlic and jalapenos and saute until fragrant and jalapenos are beginning to soften. Add quinoa, broth, black beans, diced tomatoes (including their juices), corn, and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice and enjoy! Top with cheese and sour cream if desired. 

Tell us what you made!

Please leave a recipe of what you made with this week's featured item in the comments field or email it to us. 

ONION SOUP MIX: French Dip Hot Sandwiches

FEATURED ITEM:

ONION MUSHROOM SOUP MIX

WHY STORE THIS ITEM:

• The manufacturer lists an 18 month long expiration date on the box.
• Each box has two sealed pouches inside, so it’s like two dinners for the price of one.
• FLAVOR, FLAVOR, FLAVOR! You could probably add this to water at it would still taste good. Every food storage needs lots of flavor options so you don’t get food fatigue.

Homemade Item: BASIC PASTA DOUGH

What do you get when you combine flour, eggs, and water? Not mush silly, but pasta. Every food storage should contain a basic pasta dough recipe because it is so straight forward and the ingredients are already in your food storage.

I started making my own pasta last winter after a friend recommended I try it. There is nothing wrong with boxed pasta, I certainly eat enough of it myself, but fresh pasta is so flavorful. The great flavor alone would be enough for me to keep making my own pasta, but it is also so easy! Oh how I love easy tasty things.

I received this book a while ago and love the basic pasta dough recipe in it. It is a simple flavor but compliments most any pasta dish. Plus your kids will love helping to roll and cut the dough.

PARMESAN CHEESE POWDER: Alfredo Sauce

Do you love alfredo sauce from restaurants? Me too!

Well, the secret to wonderful alfredo is this ingredient:

FEATURED ITEM:

PARMESAN CHEESE POWDER

WHY STORE THIS ITEM:

• I store this so I can make tasty soups and sauces. I’m not sure if there is much nutritional value to this but it is amazingly tasty.
• You can find it at this great website Firehouse Pantry Store
• It doesn’t have to be refrigerated! I love that because if the power goes out we can still have cheese flavor.

PARMESAN CHEESE: White Truffle Parman Fries

Featured Item:

PARMESAN CHEESE

Everyone Loves Cheese!

Why I store this:

• This cheese does not need to be refrigerated! So it can last on your pantry shelf.
• Having a can of Parmesan cheese on your shelf means you have a quick way to spice up food dishes. Just sprinkle this on top or use it in a variety of sauces. Everyone loves a little cheese on top!
• Parmesan can last unopened for 10 month! That's a long time for stored cheese.

MANDARIN ORANGES: Fruit Salad

Featured Item

MANDARIN ORANGES

These little guys are so tasty!

Why I like to store these:

• These canned oranges have such a great flavor! You will enjoy them in both savory meals and desserts!
• Vitamin C baby! These oranges may be small, but they are not lacking in Vitamin C content with 31 mg per serving. Compare this with a regular orange that has 53 mg.
• Commercially canned oranges have a shelf live of 18 months. I like how long these last because it means I can buy in bulk and not worry about using them up quickly.

Rotating Recipe: FISH TACO SAUCE

Here is another great recipe that will help you

rotate your food storage

ROTATING RECIPE:

The golden rule in food storage is store what you eat and eat what you store.

These “Rotating Recipes” will help you eat what you store.

FISH TACO SAUCE

Here are the Items that you will rotate:

• MAYONNAISE
• LEMON JUICE
• CHIPOLTE PEPPERS

Here are some of our favorite recipes that use these ingredients:

Pesto Mayonnaise Sandwhich Spread

Cedar Plank Salmon

Chipolte Lime Marinade

VINEGAR: Cole Slaw

Featured Item

VINEGAR

Used to add the Tang to life!

Why I store this:

• This stuff lasts FOREVER! Really, because it is so acidic it will keep just fine forever.
• Vinegar does not need to be refrigerated. Because of all the other condiments I like to keep, I'm glad this one can live in the pantry.
• Vinegar is good for so many things is is truely a miracle item to keep in your house. Besides salad dressings and pickling it can be used for many medicinal purposes and cleaning. Check out this website if you don't belive me, 131 Uses for Vinegar