jin's day off

First stop:
My Organic Produce Guy.
I meant to take pics of his garden as it is phenomenal.
But I got lost in the moment...
smelling
tasting
enjoying sunshine & chit-chat
diggin' in the dirt
(note to self: next time don't wear a short skirt)

I filled my xB with succulent freshly picked greeeeen

A few dozen free-range eggs, potatoes (he doesn't sell these to anyone, they are only for his personal use, but I got me some...yes I did! Woo-Hoo!), sugar snap peas, squash, flowers (edible & decorative), baby lettuces, garlic & herbs herbs herbs!

Three bags full of French greens. MMmmm.


Next step:
Appropriate tunes for creating a delectable dinner.
Insert CD & turn volume to full.
(If the walls aren't shakin', it's not loud enough honey.)

I recommend dancing & singing until you decide what to make.
I practiced belly dancing to my fave song "Voodoo"
then decided upon Quinoa.
(Pronounced KEEN-wah)
I knew it'd be FAB with the fresh herbs.

Quinoa is a super-protein & tastes awesome if you make it right.
It's easy, I'll show you how!

Any combo of chopped veggies will do.
I used:
1 Vidalia Onion
1 Bulb Garlic (Not a clove, a whole bulb!)
2 Squash (pictured whole- bottom left & chopped- upper right)

Chop & set aside until ready to use.

I *heart* Monini Olive Oils. Superior flavour!

Heat a Tablespoon (or so) on medium.

Toss in about 1-1/2 cups Quinoa & stir constantly until they begin to crackle & pop. (It is not necessary to toast the grains before use, however it gives them a nice nutty flavour.)

I *heart* Rapunzel Vegetable Boullion. No chemicals!

Add 3 cups of filtered water & 2 vegetable boullion cubes to your popping Quinoa. jinny loves to hear it fizzle & spatter at this point! Look out!

Bring to a boil, cover & reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile:

Melt a few Tablespoons of Earth Balance (or Olive Oil or butter if you prefer) on medium. Add your garlic and saute for a minute, then add your onion & saute until translucent. Add your remaining vegetables & season to taste. I use:

because jinny likes it spicy!

Oh, look! The Quinoa is done!

Take it off the heat & leave it covered until you are ready for it.

Never interrupt & jin with her Cilantro.

MMMMmmmmm.....Cilantroooooo.
Smell it &
Taste it &
Chop it:

I've got about a handful of Cilantro & a handful of Italian Parsley.
Chop and set aside.

Now, stir up your cooked Quinoa
and
TASTE IT!

Hmmm....good, but it needs some:

MMMMMmmmm........Perfect!

Now stir your Quinoa into your sauteed veggies.

Finally, add the chopped herbs.

Voilà!

I served it with a few pieces of Garlic Toast, Calamata Olives & edible Nasturtiums (in the center of the plate). The flower petals are sweet, almost candy-like, but when you get to the center they are hot & spicy! YUM!

Here is mr jins plate. Notice the lack of olives. We disagree about the delicious mouth-watering perfectness of olives. He's wrong. :-P

There's even a takeaway serving for jinmom.


OH!
Almost forgot!
I served this for dessert:
;-)

Stuff jin Does

This is just a tiny peek
inside a fraction of a week
Behold the life of a jin
baking in her kitchen

"Frosted & Decorated Hand-Made Sugar Cookies" Jumbo Penguins

Baby Penguins

A 14" x 20" x 5" Box Full of Cookies for an Order


"Pre-sliced Cakes Sold by the Piece"

Old Fashioned Poppyseed Cake with a Sweet Rich Caramel Icing

Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Filling & Belgian Dark Chocolate Glaze

Ground Toasted Almond Bundt Cake drenched with Turbinado Sugar Syrup and Pure Almond Glaze

A 5-1/2" tall Scratch-Made Maraschino Cherry Angelfood Cake with Whippy Sweet Vanilla Butter Frosting


"Pre-Ordered Decorated Sheet Cakes"





"When A Jin Gets Tired What Does She Do?"
She makes a healthy snack to eat, silly!
Sliced Organic Bananas.

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Dipped in warm Belgian Bittersweet Chocolate.
*JINGRIN*

"Luscious Things"

Shortbread Crust topped with a baked Rhubarb Custard & Real Vanilla Whipped Cream

Savoury
Lightly Sweetened Shortbread Crust
Spicy Curried Portabella Mushroom & Caramelized Vidalia Onions
Zested Curl of Lemon

Preparing Lunch for Mr. Jin

Peanut Delightfuls
MMMmm...it's all in the name.
Caramel, Belgian Chocolate, Peanuts, Pecans, Nut Butter, Marshmallow Nougat
The jin simply adores these.
Many an "MMMMmmmmm..." has passed her lips whilst greedily consuming them.


"Where Does A Jin Get All That Energy?"
From jinpassion & supplements, of course!


"Addictive Stuff"

Death By Chocolate Cookies
Melted Chocolate. Extra Dark Cocoa Powder.
White Belgian Coins. Dark Belgian Coins.
Topped with even more Chocolate.
WARNING!
After consuming one of these
you will drop to the ground & lick my cute jintoes.
(That'll get you another cookie, too. ;-)

Shortbread Crust, Organic Coconut Cheesecake Filling, Belgian Chocolate Glaze
Make Love, Not War
Oopsy...I meant to say
Eat Sweets, Don't Fight