Earlier this month I received a most flattering email from Chosen Foods. You may recall the brand for the avocado oil featured in my funfetti zucchini bread. Chosen Foods promotes a healthy, conscious and happy lifestyle and feels Good Grief Cook fits in with the company’s philosophy. How could I resist a collaboration with a brand I already love and one so kind to seek me out with such nourishing words: “We love sharing our products with inspiring influencers (like you!) in the health and wellness space.” Well, Chosen Foods you inspire me to get in the kitchen to share quinoa 2 ways.
This first recipe is for my brother, Louis. He is a huge Rutger’s University football fan and spends quite a bit of time tailgating. It’s unfortunate that we have a genetic predisposition to high cholesterol and heart disease, so I thought he could benefit from a new and improved heart healthy artichoke dip that he could share with all the Big Red fans.
Lou on the left 
tailgating brothers
Artichokes, shallots and jalapeño get a quick roast in avocado oil. Next, bath the veggies in a creamy avocado oil mayo dressing including the usual parmesan and fresh lemon plus a crispy topping of toasted nutty quinoa. No heavy butter drenched bread crumbs here. BTW-the avocado oil mayo mixed with a little fresh lime juice is also perfect in your favorite Mexican elote corn recipes.
Roasted Artichoke Dip
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Description
healthy version of the old stand by
Ingredients
1 (12 oz.) package frozen artichoke hearts
¼ cup sliced shallots
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and sliced
1 tablespoon Chosen Foods Avocado Oil
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
½ cup Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Mayo
¼ cup mascarpone cheese or low fat cram cheese
1-tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons toasted Chosen Foods Royal White Quinoa*
Instructions
- Heat oven 450F. Line a small baking sheet with foil.
- Toss artichoke hearts, shallots and jalapenos with avocado oil and spread out on baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt.
- Roast for 25 minutes; cool slightly. Transfer mixture to food processor and pulse 6 or 7 times to chop artichokes.
- Reduce oven temperature to 375F.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl whisk mayo, mascarpone and lemon juice. Stir in ½ cup parmesan and artichoke mixture; spoon into a small ready to serve baking dish smoothing the top.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- Mix remaining 2 tablespoons of parmesan cheese with toasted quinoa and sprinkle evenly over top of dip. Return to oven and bake 10 minutes more or until artichoke dip is bubbly.
- Cool slightly before serving with crackers or slices of bread.
Notes
*To toast quinoa: Heat oven to 375F. Toss 1 cup of quinoa with 1 tablespoon of avocado oil; spread out on a baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes or until quinoa is golden brown. Cool and store in a jar in the refrigerator.
- Category: appetizer
- Method: baking
Keywords: Chosen Foods, quinoa, roasted, healthy dip, artichoke
Up next is a recipe inspired by my nephew, Cole. Cole runs cross-country and loves quinoa. Quinoa is an energy packed, high protein seed that is the perfect food for the athlete in all of us. Simmered or toasted it can be used in everything from appetizer to dessert. Cole is also known to like a bit of heat, so Chosen Foods Spicy Sesame Oil is just what this salad needed. I am a huge fan of ordering salad dressing on the side. Nothing worse than an over-dressed soggy salad, so since I don’t know how you like your salad I advise following the recipe as written. Then add more of the dressing to your taste.
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Quinoa Fruit Salad with Miso Honey Vinaigrette
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
Description
Healthy way to start your day
Ingredients
Miso Honey Vinaigrette
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon white miso paste
1/2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
2 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons Chosen Foods Avocado Oil
1/2 teaspoon Chosen Foods Spicy Sesame Oil
freshly ground black pepper
Quinoa Salad
1 cup Chosen Foods 100% Organic Royal White Quinoa
1 tablespoon Chosen Foods Avocado Oil
1 ½ cups water
1 plumcot (hybrid fruit of plum and apricot) or nectarine pitted and diced
1/2 cup dried tart Montmorency cherries or dried sweetened cranberries
4 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup honey sesame cashews (I buy at Trader Joe’s)
Instructions
In a small bowl, whisk together honey and miso until smooth and blended. Add vinegar, lime juice, and ginger. Drizzle in 2 tablespoons avocado oil and spicy sesame oil, whisking until well combined. Season with pepper. Set aside. Stir quinoa and 1 tablespoon of avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat until golden and nutty. Add water; bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 15 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand 5 minutes. Fluff quinoa with a fork. In a large bowl toss quinoa with pluot, dried cherries and green onions and half of the vinaigrette. Top with cashews. Pass remaining vinaigrette.
- Category: salad
- Method: stove top
- Cuisine: vegetarian
Keywords: quinoa, gluten free, fruit salad, healthy breakfast, side dish, lunch, Chosen Foods
Thank you Chosen Foods for sharing your goodness with me. Can’t wait to try those chia seeds and cooking sprays. Until then remember that avocado oil has that fabulously high smoke point which is best for roasting the end of summer harvest.