Quinoa-Chicken Enchilada Casserole With Homemade Sauce First I have a disclaimer-my computer is trying to die and refuses to format correctly. So I am having to trick it on occasions like tonight. Unfortunately there is a huge open space to the right of this column and up above the recipe title that refuses to be nice and just go away. So please ignore that. It'll be interesting to see what it does tomorrow. Yesterdays post took me about 6 hours to post 45 minutes worth of info. Today is only about  1 &  1/2 hours, but with this ridiculous space problem! This is a wonderful, light but hearty dish for those cold weather nights. Those protein-packed little seeds are great for soaking up the enchilada sauce, and then there's the part we all love - cheese! And we don't skimp on our cheese in this household. I used sharp cheddar and jack, but you could use whatever kind is your favorite. We love it when it's time to take it out of the oven, the cheese is all bubbly, melted to oozing perfection and has a crispy top to it all. Wow!

Parmesan Quinoa 

With Tender Vegetables

This sweet little platter was a birthday gift from my niece Rachel and her sweet hubby Jared. This photo is of this recipe, but I cut it in half for two for lunch. As you can see it's still a substantial amount. We had no problem eating it all!

Quinoa is one of my very favorite things to eat. I almost love it as much as chocolate. Almost. Anyway,  

many years ago (that makes me sound so old! but I'm not) I was blithely shopping in our town's health food store and ran across this wonderful book called "Gourmet Grains" copyright 1993, by Candia Lea Cole.

I love this little book which is jam-packed with so many different grains

I will be away for a few days. 

So I've put a few pictures of my Grand Daughter who turned 6 in November 2013. 

Double-Chocolate Mocha Brownies

Oh how I wish you could have breathed in the incredible aroma of these brownies while they were cooking! And even better, I sure wish you could taste one still warm when cut. These are super easy, and soooo delicious. I was having a craving so badly for something chewy-fudgy-heavenly, and what else could satisfy that but Brownies!

Tender Crispy Battered 
Fried Chicken Dinner

Crispy Gluten Free Battered-Tender Fried Chicken Dinner!

I've decided that some general cooking qualifies under the gluten free category that I'm posturing about. After all, the gravy is gluten free, as well as the chicken batter, so that cinches the deal, right? Right!

It occurred to me that there's a major misunderstanding regarding many types of cooking and eating choices that different people make for just as many different reasons. For example; vegetarians do not want any animal products save for dairy and eggs. Vegans don't want any animal products, period, no eggs, no dairy, no thank you. Then you have those that eat raw foods only, never cooking anything, I'm sure there's a "title" for their group but I don't know what it is, do you? Let me know, please. There are those who eat chicken and fish, but no beef, veal, or lamb. Then there are those that eat only fish and rice and vegetables with some occasional fruits. I'm sure we could go on and on....

Guiltless Decedent Chocolate Cloud Cake!

I was inspired regarding this luscious dessert while checking out Nigella Lawson's recipes. She uses Contreau and orange zest in hers. I used Creme de Cacao. You could use whatever flavoring you want as all of them would be amazing.
I love to watch her cook and read her recipes, she's very down to earth with a great sense of humor, and her recipes are generally pretty simple.

You know you're in a hurry when you really don't stop to analyze every minute detail. Such as baking these gorgeous chocolate treats on pretty much you're worst looking baking pan. You know, the one you were going to clean this last weekend? <sigh>

Baking on an old marred baking pan in no way taints the ultimately indulgent-consuming of this to-die-for ethereal pleasure, however.

Cinnamon-Sugar Crusted 

Berry Muffins

I find myself at a culinary crossroads. I am "now"gluten intolerant. Actually we, (the Doctor and I) think this is probably at the root of lifelong issues with my stomach. This does not sit well with me as I could live on bread! Not anymore. I love baking breads, cakes, cookies... you name it, I can bake it! So now I'm faced with the challenge of changing everything possible to gluten-free. And, pass it off to my family without a lot of hub-bub. My husband Greg and my son Christopher are doing a very good job of excepting these changes, but occasionally the request for "regular stuff" comes in and I do it for them out of love.

My Favorite Multi-Grain Sandwich Bread

My favorite sandwich, a delicious BLT!

Well! I had started out writing to share with you my New Year's Quiche baked in buttery, flaky pie dough, but somehow right before I was going to push the publish button, I hit some other button and erased the entire thing. And I had just saved it, but to my dismay after looking everywhere it's flat out gone. So on to other delicious things.