quinoa cookies

Y'all know I love my quinoa and holy frijoles, these cookies are fantastic.  A coworker just brought me this gluten free and vegan delight. See her ingredients above then she said: 1.) 350 degrees 2.) milk + flax to sit then add oil + sugar + vanilla 3.) flours + spices (powders) 4.) flakes + apricots + almonds (chunks) 5.) bake for 10-12 minutes

READER CONTRIBUTION: Twist on a Taco

I got this yummy contribution yesterday from  reader who wanted something other than the usual TexMex:

No, no I'm talking about food.

A cool vegan taco for a hot day:

Savory sweet potatoes instead of refried beans

Spicy crumbled tempeh (cooked with minced Jalapeno peppers) 

Sautéed yellow squash and kale & chard from the garden 

chopped cukes and tomatoes with a touch of cilantro 

plus a healthy lime squeeze

Came out really good..

READER CONTRIBUTION: spiced burger

THIS IS EXACTLY THE READER CONTRIBUTION I LIKE TO SEE.  The kind where the food gets devoured before the reader remembers to snap the pic!  From D. Barnes, this burger is ground beef with egg whites, parmesan, pepper, garlic and old bay all on the grill.  Sounds like a perfect combo of spices... aaaaand I think I'd like this with some bacon and an Old Bay bloody Mary for as a brunch burger.  YUM!  

READER CONTRIBUTION: Gyro... in Greece

My girl Tanya is in Greece and just texted me her gyro.  Nuff said.  I need to get out more.

READER CONTRIBUTION: closing your bird

"After 5 years I finally did it."  hahahaha.  Photo from my friend Sunny's kitchen.  She finally managed to "close" her chicken like me.  I can't recall when or why I started threading legs like this but I think it looks neat and you eliminate the need for a ball of string.

READER CONTRIBUTION: killer breakfast sandwich

Now THAT is a a breakfast sandwich.  Scrambled eggs with ham, cheddar and apparently tomatoes. I think I'd have to eat it with a fork though!

I made one like this once but it had sausage and sour cream- total artery clogger.

Thanks for sharing!

READER CONTRIBUTION: Kushi, Washington DC

Uh yeah, this looks fantastic.  I think the photo says it all.  From T. Langenkamp, Chirashi @ Kushi, $17.
Rumor has it the pork belly and their gelato are both fantastic.  Who wants to take me on a date?!
465 K St NW, Washington, District of Columbia‎ - (202) 682-3123‎

READER CONTRIBUTION: Ray's Hell Burger, Review

Sam Khazai just snapped a shot of his lunch at Rays Hell Burgers.  Holy Toledo that thing looks good.  I've heard lots about this place- just too bad this joint is out in Virginia, chances are I'll never make it.  For all those who live out there in the Commonwealth, I'd say judging by this photo its well worth the trip. 1713 N Wilson Blvd, Arlington, Virginia 22201

READER CONTRIBUTION: Ceasar salad with roasted tomatoes and pancetta.

Title says it all.  From my sister and it looks fantastic.  I would make double and take it for lunch the next day.

READER CONTRIBUTION: quinoa, peppers and tofu

conversation with my buddy josh over IM:
josh: I am eating the best leftovers ever. I cooked a couple of diced onions down with some garlic, oil and salt and then added two diced bell peppers (yellow and orange) and cooked that down. Then when they looked awesome I moved them to a bowl, added more oil, another onion, garlic, and diced tofu and cooked that on high, stirring a lot. Then added the onions and garlic back to the pan after 7 or 10 minutes and stirred for a new more minutes. Then I tossed everything in a big bowl with three cups of an organic quinoa I had made. It's probably 3-4 dinners and it's so fresh and healthy. I think it gets better every day it sits in the fridge, too.
me: can you send me a photo?!
josh: There isn't much left. haha. I can send you a photo of the sad remains in the bottom of the bowl. haha
me:  YUM !!! looks amazing!

READER CONTRIBUTION: gluten free mustard baked salmon with a black rice noodle salad.

From S. Al-Wasmi in Kuwait: Salmon, in the oven. Crust conisists of loads of fresh parmesan, whole grain mustard, a bit of mayo, lemon, paprika, and salt and pepper.
Black rice organic noodles, with tones of veggies. Dressing seaseme oil, soy sauce,garlic, ginger and spicy red paste.

Completely glutten free meal that will keep you light on your feet and takes no more the 25 minutes to make!
 
From me: Looks fantastic!  My mouth is watering. I love the citrus, mustard parmesan crust.

READER CONTRIBUTION: Dinner party plans?

Its Easter weekend!  Read my friend, interior designer, Paul Corrie's blog on great ideas for "what to bring" when you're headed to someone's place for dinner.

Click on the link below:  http://paulcorrieinteriors.wordpress.com/2010/04/02/dinner-party-plans-21/

READER CONTRIBUTION: what are YOU cooking?

H. Lee from Washington, DC wrote in, "Ahi tuna tartar with sesame-asparagus vineigrette. This was for my friend Cris's first (or was it second) going away party. It was small, easy and simple to present."

GIACOMO: This looks fantastic! I love the idea of serving entire "dishes" in one bite. Looks like a fair amount of work but I'm sure it paid off.

READER CONTRIBUTION: what are YOU cooking?

So what are you cooking these days? Email me your latest recipes, photos, restaurant reviews, family secrets, good finds, hints, ideas or even questions and I'd love to post them!