NorCal Homes Healthy Habits: January Edition
After the holiday’s, most of us are looking in the mirror and thinking “how did that happen?!”. So, the NorCal Homes team has decided there is no better time than the present to get back on track! Eating healthy for a few days and going for a walk every now and then isn’t difficult, but we really want to find a worth-while routine that will be easy to stick with. In an effort to get on track and stay on track, in 2016 we are introducing NorCal Homes Healthy Habits. Every month we are going to pick a spotlight recipe that will make eating healthy enjoyable, and pair it with a simple workout that will help add some spunk to your exercise routine. So, here we go!! Happy & Healthy Living, friends! 🙂
avocado & quinoa stuffed acorn squash
Ingredients
- 3-4 small acorn squash, sliced in half
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 4-oz. can of green chiles
- 1.5 cups cooked quinoa
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- ¼ cup toasted pepitas
- ¼ cup feta cheese, optional
- 2 avocados, diced
- a few squeezes of lime
- salt & pepper
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut acorn squash in half and scoop out the insides. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast cut side up for for about 35-50 minutes or until your squash is tender in the middle and browned around the edges. (The timing will depend on your squash. If it’s taking too long to become tender, flip it upside down for a portion of the roasting time).
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Cook the onion until translucent, then add the garlic, cumin, coriander and stir. Add the green chiles and stir again, then add the quinoa, black beans, scallions, pepitas, feta cheese, a squeeze of lime and a more salt and pepper, to taste.
- Remove skillet from the heat, let it cool, then stir in the diced avocado. Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Scoop the filling into the acorn squashes halves. (note: if you’re not scooping the filling into the squashes right away, scoop the mixture out of the pan and into a bowl and set aside.
Notes
Make ahead tip: make the quinoa pilaf up to two days in advance and store it in the fridge. Wait to add the avocado until ready to stuff & serve.
Source: Love & Lemons 