Roasted Pumpkin and Quinoa Salad

Since Kat just got her braces a few days ago, I have been trying to make some healthy, yet yummy meals to help her adjust. So I decided to make something a little outside the box. I don't usually make salads without...well, lettuce, any kind of lettuce, but this "salad" had roasted pumpkin (soft), quinoa (soft) and feta cheese (pretty soft). Which made it a perfect addition to my meal plan this week.

This recipe is from Donna Hay's Fast, Fresh Simple. It's one of my favourite cookbooks. The original recipe calls for couscous, but I really don't like couscous, plus I had some leftover Cilantro Lime Quinoa from a couple of nights ago, I just changed it up a little.

Roasted Pumpkin and Quinoa Salad
(adapted from Donna Hay's Fast, Fresh, Simple - Roasted Pumpkin and Couscous Salad)
1 small green pumpkin (buttercup squash), cut about 1/2" slices
olive oil
2 cups Cilantro Lime Quinoa
juice from 1/2 a lime
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced (more for garnish)
1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
** Honey Cumin Dressing
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar

- Preheat oven to 400F. Place pumpkin slices on greased baking pan. Roast for about 15-20 mins until soft and slightly golden. Turn pumpkins half way thought roasting time.
- Heat quinoa over medium high heat until hot, about 3-4 mins. Remove from heat. Sprinkle mint leaves over quinoa and stir well. Keep warm.
- For dressing: Whisk together honey, ground cumin, olive oil and red wine vinegar, set aside.
- When pumpkins are soft, remove from oven. To plate, I did about 3 layers of quinoa and pumpkins, then topped with feta cheese and more fresh mint.

This can either be eaten warm or room temperature, either way you won't have any leftovers. There was enough for 2 servings. I made this for dinner and it was filling, but not for long. I found that I was hungry again in a few hours. So it would be perfect for lunch. Now that I'm thinking about this dish again, I'm craving it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go check if I have an mini pumpkins in my kitchen. LOL

Do you have a great meal salad recipe? I would love to try it. :) 

Curry Shrimp Fried Rice

My husband loves fried rice. Me? Not so much, mainly because growing up it was something we ate all the time. Usually at the end of the week, my grandmother had to use up whatever was left in the fridge. Now, that I'm all grown up (yeah right, but I do have my moments) I have realized it is an easy, quick and simple way to make a complete meal from just a few ingredients.

Easy Japanese Curry

Even with 5 kids running around, I made this. :) 

New obsessions - Bento Boxes.

So I have been on a huge Bento Box binge. I love them. Oh, and I have started to take care of my girlfriends' two little girls. Now, I have 5 kids in my house from the wee hours in the morning until just before dinner time. Well, I guess Bento box style snacks and lunches have been keeping my sanity in check a little bit too. So and obsession that keeps me organized...I can live with that. LOL!! :)

So I have quite the little collection now. Although, I would like a couple more cute ones and maybe some character ones. I have ordered a bunch from Ebay. *Can't wait for them to come in*

Here are a few I have made so far.

Apple slices, Cheese string, Carrot, Hello Panda Cookies,
Edamame, Quail egg

Ham and Cheese sandwiches, Cucumbers, Blueberries,
Happy Panda Cookies, Cheese string, Apple sauce

Unsalted crackers, Cheese strings, Carrot,  Ham rolls,
Happy Panda cookies, Mini jam sandwiches, Grapes 

California and Cucumber Avocado rolls, Fried dumplings,
Grapes, Wasabi and Picked ginger

Ham and Cheese sandwiches, Mini jam sandwiches, Apple slices,
Baby bel cheese, Cheese string, Blanch broccoli and green beans,
grapes, blueberries 

Do you have any tips on how to keep a busy household in order?