Southwestern Quinoa and Black Bean Casserole

Here I go again with my love of all things Quinoaaaaa! This Mexican style dish is amazing and life changingly good! This casserole is flavor explosion of just the right amount of spice combined with crunch. It is perfect for attacking your friends and family with quinoa without them even knowing it. We all have those people in our lives who wont try the kin-o-wa since it is different and they already know they hate it {cough. Charlie Badger. cough}. The dish is loaded with Mexican flavors that make anyones mouth water just upon smelling it!
So enough with the description here is the delicious recipe...

Southwestern Quiona and Black Bean Casserole

serves: 9

Ingredients

3 large cloves garlic, minced {low-key... I bought pre-minced cloves because I can.}

1 onion minced {now I wish onions came minced because I cried for a long time doing this}

2 jalepeños, seeds and ribs removed, minced {TOTALLY OPTIONAL.. mine does not have jalepeños in it because I'm a baby when it comes to spice}

1 tablespoon oil

4 1/2 cups cooked black beans, rinsed

1 1/4 cup vegetable broth 

2 cups cooked quinoa

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

4 bell peppers, diced {I used red and yellowwww}

1 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese {really however much you would like}

Directions

1. Black Beans. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute the garlic and onions {possibly jalepeños} for 4 minutes. Stir occasionally. Stir in broth and black beans and bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. The mixture should be thick, not watery. {if there is a lot of water let the mixture cook out on low heat for another few minutes}

One of the times I made the back beans I only made half the black beans and added refried beans! It was sooo delicious :)

2. Quinoa. In a dry skillet over medium-high heat, toss and toast the cooked quinoa with the cayenne, chili powder and cumin. 1-2 minutes.

3. Peppers. In the same dry skillet over medium-high heat, place the diced peppers and do NOT stir. {not stiring allows the peppers to get a brown roasted look on the outside} Don't over cook the peppers because they will, at the end, become soggy if over cooked.

4. Assemble. Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Spoon black bean mixture into a baking dish. Top with Quinoa, Bell Peppers and Cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 20 mins. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 mins, or until the top layer of cheese is golden and bubbly. 

5. Serve with sour cream, tortilla chips, on tacos, salad or as a side!

ENJOY

4th of July: Food

As July 4th is rapidly approaching us Five Times the Funners decided to give y'all a little taste of everything! We will show you some great foods to serve at your 4th of July party, red white and blue themed clothing for the festivities, and some awesome crafts to make all this come together perfectly! So lets goooooo:

Food

Here are some super easy quick ways to give your 4th of July BBQ or party the little red, white and blue spirit it needs!

This first treat is an adaption of our previous post "Pretzel Buttons". For those of you who haven't seen that post we attached a link to it and we will also show you quickly{and very briefly} what to do :)

When you are at the store shopping for ingredients be sure to pick up 4th of July themed M&Ms and Hershey Hugs! The more themed the betterrrrrrr :) Do the recipe just like normal. Preheat the oven 200F. Line a cookie sheet with pretzels. Place the Hershey Hugs onto the pretzels. Bake 4-5 mins then remove from the oven. Take your M&Ms and smush them down onto the pretzels. Place the Pretzel Buttons into the freezer to cool. Tada yummy little treats!

The second treat is chocolate covered strawberries. Who doesn't love some sweet strawberries with chocolately goodness? Take your strawberries and wash and clean them. Melt your chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and use the "chocolate" setting on your microwave {if you don't have that setting just watch the chocolate so it doesn't burn} Hold the strawberries by their stems and dip them into the chocolate. Now here is where you can get creative. Either dip your still warm chocolate strawberries in blue sprinkles or you can let the chocolate cool and then apply zigzags and stripes to it with red or blue chocolate/icing.

And of course, you can't celebrate a totally American holiday without Apple Pie! We made a post called "Mini Apple Pies" which explain exactly what you would need for this yummy American treat! 

If you are looking for an even easier way to get the red white and blue theme, serve licorice, yogurt covered pretzels and blueberries. Or any other colored treats! Those were just some quick and easy ways to make your BBQ or 4th party a little more 4th themed :) Hope this helped you get in the spirit!

Cake Pops

If any of you are like me you can not live without Starbucks cake pops. They are magical, fluffy and super cute! And I am also a big fan of finding creative ways to bake {ie. mason jars}. So as Valentines Day approaches, I decided to try it out and make my own cake pops!

Cake Pop Mix

Here is what you'll need:

1 batch cake mix {the brand, flavor, etc. doesn't matter!}

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

2 cups confectioner's sugar

4 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon milk {or more, as necessary}

Bake your cake according to the recipe on the box. Let the cake sit until cool {the cooler the better}. Once the cake is cool, begin crumbling it with a fork or fingers until it is in fine cumbs.

In a separate bowl, whip the cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and milk together until smooth. Pour onto the cake crumbs and mix with a spoon or your fingers. 

When the mix is completely done, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm. You can leave the mix refrigerated for several days. I left mine in the fridge over night and it worked really well! The mixture needs to cool or else the balls won't hold their shape.

Making the Cake Pop Balls

Here is what you'll need:

Lollipop sticks (found at Michael's, JoAnn's, or other craft stores) 

12 ounces chocolate chips

12 ounces white chocolate bark 

Edible wax, optional 

Colored sugars, candies, and other decorative sprinkles

How to make the balls

Take a bit of the cake mixture and roll it into a smooth ball. Stick a lollipop stick into the end of each ball and place onto a large baking sheet. Repeat until you've used up all the mixture. Put the baking sheet of balls into the freezer so that the balls harden.

How to decorate the cake pops

Melt chocolate or white chocolate in the microwave. Stir well. Dip each ball into the chocolate until covered. I find that putting icing in the microwave for 25seconds and storing the balls in that works best! 

Dip in sugar, coconut, sprinkles, or anything else you'd like to decorate with. Place in the FREEZER to harden. 

And tad aaa! you've made yummy yummy cake pops just like the ones at Starbucks. mmmmmmm so good!

Whether you are making cake pops for a loved one or just for fun, enjoy! 

chocolate version

Mini Apple Pies

This recipe makes 12 deliciously adorable apple pies in about 40 minutes!

In a bowl, mix together the cinnamon, flour, sugar, lemon & salt

Peel, core, and cut the apples. Make sure when you cut that the apples are in small pieces {because the pies are mini!}

Now add the cut apples with the mixed dry ingredients and mix. Make sure to mix well so that all the apples are covered evenly.

Cut circles out of your pastry and line your cupcake tins with the dough. Make sure the bottom layer of pastry is larger than the top so you can squish the edges together.

Next, pile the apple filling onto the dough. Make piles in the middle of the dough so that when the pies cook, the apple filling doesn't sink and cause depressions.

Cut out more circles of pastry for the top of your pies and paint on a small amount of whipped egg to the perimeter of the circle {this will make the top and bottom stick together}

Use a fork to create the edge detail {this assures that the pie is closed}. Then cut two small holes into the top of the pies so they can breath while cooking.

Dust the top of the pies with brown sugar and the whipped egg. The egg provides a glossy look and the brown sugar glazes the pies.

Cover the pies with aluminum foil for 15 mins and then cook uncovered for the last 5. This will allows the apples to cook through while not burning the pastry. Our house smelled DELICIOUS while they were cooking!

If you like your pies EXTRA full of apples we suggest preparing 9 apples {instead of 6} and warming the diced apples on the stove. After preparing the apples we put them into a pot to cook on low heat for about 15 minutes. We wanted them to get softer {but not completely soft} so when we put them into the pastry we could fit more into the pies. Remember not to cook the apples to much because they will still bake once in the over. Once you have cooked your apples {and tasted to see how soft they are} strain the water from them and combine them with the dry ingredients as usual!

Thanks for reading & happy baking

xo

Mason Jar Cake

As the holidays begin approaching it is time to starting coming up with some easy gift ideas. One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is to cook, so I decided that for some easy gifts I would bake! So here is a quick picture tutorial on how to make a Mason Jar Cake!

Head over to your local grocery store and pick up a box of your favorite cake mix and frosting. Some grocery stores have mason jars available for purchase but most don't. Try checking out a craft store or something similar to World Market to find a mason jar.

Once you have all your supplies start preheating your oven, mixing the cake and allowing it to cook. After your cake has been cooked begin breaking up the sheet cake into crumbs. Use a fork to smash and crumb the cake into a bowl.

Now its time to start the mason jar layering! Take the crumbs, and using a spoon or fork, pour them into the bottom of your mason jar. Use your utensil and push the crumbs to the bottom of the jar, make sure you squeeze as much cake as possible into each layer.

Next take your frosting and add it on top of the cake layer. Like you did with the cake, push as much frosting as you can into the layer. The frosting gets a little messy! so try your hardest to keep the edges of the jar clean and if not you can always wet a paper towel and clean the edges.

Repeat the cake-then-frosting combination until your jar is filled to the top. Make sure you end with frosting! 

Once your jar is filled add your last minute gift details. Tie a bow around the neck of the jar and add a spoon to the tie! 

Andddddd taaadaaaa! You have an adorable, easily made gift!

Hope you found this tutorial helpful. Let us know what you think by commenting below Also follow us on Facebook --> Five Times The Fun        and on instagram @fivetimesfun

Balsamic Steamed Chicken

In a previous post about Warm Quinoa Salad With Edamame & Basil I served my meal with a Balsamic Steamed Chicken. This chicken is quick and easy to make! It is a very moist chicken  with a balsamic glaze. So here is how to make your Balsamic Steamed Chicken

Ingredients

-Chicken Breast

-Balsamic Salad Dressing

-Aluminum Foil

-Circular Cake Pan

1. Take two sheets of aluminum foil and place them onto your circular cake pan. 

2. Place your chicken breast onto the middle of your circular cake pan.

3. Pour the balsamic salad dressing {1/4 cup} onto the chicken breast. You can add more dressing depending on how you want you chicken to taste.

4. Fold the aluminum foil over the chicken. Don't secure the foil tightly! Let it be loose so that the chicken can steam

5. Put the chicken in the oven for about an hour and let it cook

6. Take the chicken out and serve!

Its that easy! 

Pretzel Buttons

For any of you salty and sweet snack fans, here is a delicious pretzel m&m snack!

What You'll Need:

Square pretzels
Hershey's Hugs {the kisses with the swirls, these melt better and I prefer them to the kisses}
M&Ms

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees

2. Line a cookie sheet with pretzels

3. Unwrap the Hershey's Hugs and place them on top of the pretzels

{unwrapping takes a while!}

4. Bake for 4-5 minutes until the chocolate is soft {make sure they do not melt! the hugs need to still hold their shape}

5. Take your M&Ms and place them in the center of the hugs, push down to spread the chocolate

   

6. Place them into the freezer to cool completely

Enjoy! This is the perrrrrrfect salty-sweet snack combo! 

3-Day Cleanse

After a food filled vacation in the keys, my mom and I decided it would be a good idea to try a cleanse. Now don't get scared off by the word "cleanse". We didn't try one of those Blue Print Juice cleanses where you only drink juices made of lemonade and cayenne pepper! Instead of a juice cleanse, we found a food cleanse online where you can still eat. This cleanse is free of caffeine, alcohol, refined carbohydrates, sugar and sugar substitutes. The food for the 3 days are super healthy but super tasty! And the food is not in small portions so you don't feel hungry all day. So for any of you post-vacationers looking for a way to get rid of the extra weight you gained, here is a 3-day cleanse I tried.

The three day menus are about 1,500 calories per day. If you need more or fewer calories, you can easily alter the portion sizes. But remember: Do Not Skip A Meal OR Snack. Eating frequently keeps your metabolism going!

A few things to remember:

• Be conscious of what you are eating! Try not to sit in front of a laptop or tv and eat your meals. If you focus on your foods while you are eating them, you will feel more full.
• Make sure you drink LOTS of water. All your liquids should be pure, no added sugars or juices. Try to drink about 64 ounces per day {thats 8, 8oz. glasses of water for the day}
• Do Not Skip A Meal or Snack!!

Day One

Breakfast: 1 cup of steel-cut oatmeal {measure after cooking}, topped with 2 tablespoons of chopped walnuts and 1 cup of fresh or frozen berries.

Mid Morning Snack: 1/2 cup of nonfat yogurt mixed with 1/2 a banana, sliced and 2 tablespoons Grape-Nuts  or other high-fiber cereal

Lunch: Washed baby spinach leaves topped with 4 ounces of chicken, 8-10 sliced red grapes, sliced red onion and 2 tablespoons of slivered almonds. Salad Dressing: fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of olive pil. Serve with 1/2 of a 6 inch whole-wheat pita pocket.

  

 

Mid Day Snack: Sliced green apple with 1 ounce of cheddar cheese

Dinner: Bake a 5-ounce piece of cod or tilapia. Place fish in a baking dish, top with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, fresh lemon juice and a pink of sea salt and pepper. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Serve with 1/2 cup of brown rice and steamed broccoli.

    

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 1,489  Carbohydrates: 145 grams  Protein: 108 grams  Fat: 57 grams  Fiber: 31 grams Sugar: 41 grams  Sodium: 174 mg  Calcium: 665 mg

Day Two

Breakfast: Make 3-egg-white omelet filled with 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese and 1/2 cup of sliced tomatoes and onions. Serve omelet with a navel orange or half a grapefruit.

Mid Morning Snack: 1 slice of whole-grain bread topped with 1 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter or almond butter

Lunch: 5-ounce salmon fillet grilled or poached served over a bed of baby arugula and topped with 1/2 cup of chickpeas, fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of olive oil

Mid Day Snack: 1/2 cup of cottage cheese topped with 1/2 cup of fresh or frozen berries

Dinner: Broil a lean 4-ounce lean ground turkey burger and serve it on a whole-wheat English muffin topped with sauteed mushrooms and onions. Serve the burger with large mixed greens salad with balsamic vinegar and 1 teaspoon olive oil

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 1,473  Carbohydrates: 118 grams  Protein: 122 grams  Fats: 60 grams  Fiber: 26 grams Sugar: 34 grams  Sodium: 2,100 mg  Calcium: 821 mg

Day Three

Breakfast: Combine 1 cup of plain nonfat yogurt {greek yogurt}, 2 tablespoons of flax seeds, 1 cup of fresh berries and 2 tablespoons of Grape-Nuts or other high-fiber cereal.

Mid Morning Snack: 1 hard boiled egg and a handful of baby carrots

Lunch: Top a 6-inch whole-wheat tortilla with 1/4 of a sliced avocado, 2 slices of tomato, 2 slices of part-skim mozzarella cheese, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard and 1 romaine lettuce leaf. Wrap up and enjoy with a bag of fresh green or purple grapes {15-20}

Mid Day Snack: 1 cup of skim or soy milk and 1 ounce of raw almonds {about 20 almonds}

Dinner: Bake a 5-ounce boneless skinless chicken breast with fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of capers or sliced green olives. Cook at 375 for about 20 minutes. Serve with corn salad- 1 cup frozen thawed corn niblets, 1 diced plum tomato, 1/4 cup of black beans, topped with a pink of sea salt and pepper

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 1,508  Carbohydrates: 152 grams  Protein: 109 grams  Fat: 61 grams  Fiber: 29 grams  Sugar: 54 grams  Sodium: 1,872 mg  Calcium: 1,183 mg