Welcome To My Kitchen

  Welcome to my kitchen and my cooking world. If you don't know me already my name is Melanie and I am the mother of two and wife to Mike. I have been cooking since I was 6 because I was a super picky eater till age 24 and had a mother that wouldn't make me a separate meal. Cooking for me started with the microwave and stove making hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches and scrambled eggs. Over the years cooking, baking and cake decorating have become my passion and my escape. I do not claim to be a pro and don't really write my own recipes but I do love to share my favorite recipes with friends. Feeding people makes me happy. Maybe one day soon I can take the next step and become a pro baker.
  This blog is here to share my favorite recipes with my friends and hopefully get some of your favorites to try as well. Let's cook!

  I promise to try taking more photos of my process in the future. Also please note I don't always have exact recipes if I am experimenting.

First up is a new family favorite

Mexi Quinoa

I really, really love Mexican rice you get at Mexican restaurants. As a family we love quinoa so I made this Mexi Quinoa one night and it's a new must make often recipe. Tonight I am going to throw in some rotisserie chicken and make it a meal.

1 C Quinoa
11/2 C. Chicken or Veg stock/broth
1 Can Rotel (whatever heat level you enjoy we use Mild)
Whatever veg you love or have on hand
Veg oil or Olive oil

Cook Quinoa in your stock/broth according to package directions (I have found using a 1:1.5 ratio is better than the 1:2 ratio most packages suggest which seems to be too wet. Please cook it however you feel works best.) You can do this step ahead of time also.

While Quinoa is cooking cook up your veg. I used some zucchini and squash I needed to cook and some frozen mixed veg (which I added after cooking the fresh zucchini and squash).

Once the veg are almost done add the can of rotel. Let the rotel and veg mingle and get happy and then add your quinoa. Let any extra liquid cook off and serve.

This is a great side for taco or fajita night. Add whatever flavors you love.