Southwest Quinoa Salad

I have the most delicious salad for you!  I was skeptical.  I haven't jumped on the whole quinoa bandwagon.  But, I have some baby weight to lose, and I have been looking for healthy alternative to eating carbs.  This recipe doesn't taste like "diet food".  I love all the fresh flavors in this salad, it does not lack any flavor.  Try it, you will love it!  If you don't know how to cook quinoa, here is an fabulous website that tell you how:
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-quinoa-63344
 

Southwest Quinoa Salad

1 c quinoa, cooked according to package directions (cooked in chicken broth)
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 cup of frozen corn, defrosted or 1 can of corn, drained
4 green onions, sliced thinly
1/2-1 c cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 c cilantro, chopped

Lime Vinaigrette:
1/3 c olive oil
juice from a large lime
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, deveined and chopped finely

Cook quinoa, and let cool for 15 minutes.  Mix all ingredients for the vinaigrette.  Combine all ingredients for the salad, and then toss with the vinaigrette.  Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

These are AHHHHHHHmazing!  I will never use my over ripe bananas for boring banana bread again.  Not only were the bars moist and delicious, but the frosting sends it over the top.  I never knew how much flavor browning the butter can add to a frosting.  The frosting is insanely good.  You will be licking the bowl and spatula. I made a half batch, because I was testing the recipe.  I will give the measurements for the full recipe.  Just know that you can half the amount and it turns out great!

Banana Bars with Brown Butter Frosting

BANANA  BARS

1 1/2 c

sugar

1 c

sour cream

2

eggs

1/2 c

butter, softened

1 3/4 c

mashed ripe bananas (3-4 bananas)

2 tsp

vanilla extract

2 c

all purpose flour

1 tsp

baking soda

3/4 tsp

salt

1/2 c

chopped walnuts (optional)

BROWN BUTTER FROSTING

1/2 c

butter

4 c

powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp

vanilla extract

3 Tbsp

milk

1/4-1/2 tsp salt

1. Heat oven to 330F. Grease a 15x10-inch jelly roll pan. For the bars, in a large bowl, beat together sugar, sour cream, butter, and eggs until creamy. Blend in bananas and vanilla extract. Add flour, baking soda, salt, and blend for 1 minute. Stir in walnuts.

2. Spread batter evenly into pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.

3. Meanwhile, for frosting, heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat until boiling. Let the butter turn a delicate brown and remove from heat immediately.

4. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt and milk. Whisk together until smooth (it should be thicker than a glaze but thinner than frosting). Using a spatula, spread the brown butter frosting over the warm bars (the frosting will be easier to spread while the bars are still warm).

Picture courtesy http://www.manymakings.com/2013/03/18/banana-bread-bars-with-brown-butter-frosting/