Joe’s Quinoa and Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash

Submitted by Joe
Serves 2

Ingredients

1 acorn squash ½ c. quinoa
1 c. water 1 bunch kale
3 tbsp butter salt, pepper, & red chili pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut the acorn squash in half, remove the seeds & clean out the center. Add salt & pepper to the flesh of the squash & place 1 tbsp of butter into the cavity of each squash half.
2. Once the oven is ready, place the squash flesh side up on a baking sheet or casserole dish & bake for 45 minutes.
3. Put the quinoa into a bowl or container & fill it with water until the quinoa is covered. Set aside.
4. Remove the stalks from the kale & discard them. Rough chop the kale leaves & place into a skillet over medium heat along with 1 tbsp of butter. Add salt, pepper, & crushed red pepper to taste & saute until the kale is dark green & wilted, approximately 5-10 minutes.
5. Drain the water from the quinoa. Pour 1 c. of water in a pot, salt the water liberally & bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the quinoa & kale, stirring together. Place a cover on the pot & reduce the heat to low.
6. Remove the squash from the oven. Spoon the quinoa & kale mixture into the cavity of each squash half & serve.

Chef’s Note: Spinach can be substituted for kale if desired.

Za Jiang Mein (Pork & Bean Chinese Noodles)

Submitted by randilicious

Ingredients

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 lb ground pork
¼ c. brown bean sauce 2 tbsp sugar
¼ c. beer 1 lb Chinese noodles (non egg-based)
¼ c. chopped scallions ½ c. shredded cucumbers
3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp red pepper flakes
¼ c. bean sprouts (optional) 1 pkg tofu, chopped into small pieces (optional)

Directions

  1. Heat the oil in the wok. When oil is ready, add the garlic, then the pork. Brown evenly. If so desired, add tofu after pork has been browned.
  2. In a separate bowl, mix beer & brown been sauce. Blend well.
  3. Add the bean sauce mixture to the ground pork.
  4. Sprinkle sugar & red pepper flakes into sauce. Stir until the sauce is piping hot. Reduce heat & allow to simmer uncovered.
  5. As sauce simmers, in a separate pot, boil noodles in water for approximately 3 minutes. Drain the noodles.
  6. To serve, put noodles into a bowl, then spoon sauce over noodles. Garnish generously with scallions, bean spouts, & cucumber on top.

Chef’s Note: You can find the brown bean sauce in most Asian grocery stores.

Chicken Peanut Noodles

Submitted by randilicious
Serves 4

Ingredients

1 lb cubed chicken 1 lb noodles cooked al dente
1/3 c. hot water 1/3 c. smooth peanut butter
1 c. cut asparagus 2 tsp soy sauce
2 tsp white vinegar 4 green onions finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced 1 tbsp sugar
2 tsp hot red pepper flakes 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp crushed peanuts

Peanut Sauce Directions

  1. Combine hot water & peanut butter, until completely blended.
  2. Add soy sauce, vinegar, half of the scallions, 2 cloves of the garlic, sugar, & hot pepper.
  3. Simmer

Main Directions

  1. Heat oil in a saucepan. Toss in remainder of minced garlic.
  2. Heat chicken in oil over high heat until no longer pink.
  3. Reduce heat to medium, then add remainder of scallions plus asparagus. Cook thoroughly.
  4. Pour peanut sauce over chicken & vegetables.
  5. Mix in noodles. Toss to coat noodles completely.
  6. Top with crushed peanuts.