Watch the enchilada video & read the recipe Welcome to Chef V's Cooking School! I'm Veronica, Certified Nutritional Therapist, author, and proud owner of Chef V. You might know me for my Green Drink and Cleanses, but I started Chef V as a personal chef. I'll be sharing some of my clients' favorite recipes with you. This is my first ever cooking series and I welcome you to my kitchen. And of course I couldn't do my show without my trusty sidekick Brandon – Sous-Chef B. And our dog Coconut – Taste Tester. We're going to laugh, learn and cook – together. We are starting with my famous Quinoa Enchilada – or “the whole enchilada" as my husband says. That's so cheesy – no pun intended. This recipe is Challenge approved for the purpose of cleansing as long as you substitute vegan cheese and omit the corn.
INGREDIENTS
MY SECRET INGREDIENT Trade Joe's Enchilada Sauce is my secret ingredient – you can use a different sauce but we think this one makes the difference.
COOK QUINOA & TURKEY Quinoa: Cook quinoa as directed on package or use these directions: Cook quinoa on stovetop: 1 part quinoa and 2 parts water. Bring to a boil, then simmer covered for 10-15 minutes or until done. Turkey: sauté ground turkey or chopped mushrooms with taco seasoning.
MIX INGREDIENTS IN A BOWL Add cooked quinoa, turkey (or sub), ¾ of the cheese, beans, corn, and 1 ½ bottles of enchilada sauce to the bowl and mix.
ASSEMBLE CASSEROLE Add contents of the bowl to the casserole dish. Add the rest of cheese on top and drizzle a little sauce on top. Top the casserole with the chopped green onions – you can add them before or after baking.
BAKE Cook covered 20 minutes and uncovered 15 minutes at 350.
ENJOY! Customers who've tried this recipe say it is even better the second day. You can keep it in the refrigerator for several days, if it lasts that long! Brandon says this recipe taste as good or better than “real" enchiladas. Cheers to your health – Veronica
Tag: quinoa
Warm Cinnamon Quinoa
Warm Cinnamon Quinoa is an IBS friendly recipe.
Chef V’s Tip: My fool-proof way to cook quinoa is to use a rice cooker. Place 1 cup uncooked quinoa and 2 cups liquid (either 2 cups filtered water or 1 cup filtered water and 1 cup unsweetened almond or coconut milk) in the cooker and set it on the white rice setting.
If you don’t have a rice cooker, place the quinoa and 2 cups of liquid in a medium-sized pot. Bring it to a boil, reduce the heat to medium, and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer, covered, for about 15-20 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed. remove the pan from the heat, fluff the quinoa with a fork and keep it covered until ready to use.
IBS Version of this Recipe
Only change to the recipe is to limit pecans to maximum 10 pecan halves.
Ingredients
-
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup Chef V’s Raw Nut Milk (see recipe) or coconut milk
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 tablespoon raw coconut nectar (I like Coconut Secret)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Optional Toppings
- 2 cups fresh blackberries
- 1/3 cup raw pecans, chopped
Directions
Cook the quinoa in a rice cooker or if cooking on a stovetop, follow the directions in the tip above, except simmer for 15 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let the quinoa stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the coconut nectar and cinnamon.
To serve, spoon into bowls and top with blackberries and pecans.
What Do I Eat Today – Menu with Chicken Pot Pie
This “What Do I Eat Today” menu starts with warm lemon water, then Green Drink. For breakfast, Warm Cinnamon Quinoa, a hearty treat. For lunch, my Mediterranean Stew, and for dinner, Chicken Pot Pie, a gluten-free recipe with a vegan option, demonstrated in this Chef V Cooking School video.
I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I’m hungry to have my Green Drink.
For Breakfast – Warm Cinnamon QuinoaÂ
For breakfast, Warm Cinnamon Quinoa fills the belly and tastes so good. I use quinoa, my own recipe for raw almond milk, raw coconut nectar, and ground cinnamon. You can top it with berries and/or nuts.
For Lunch – Mediterranean Butternut Squash + Carrot Stew with Quinoa
For lunch you have my Mediterranean stew, made with mellow spices for a flavorful and healthy mid-day meal.
This stew can be prepared a day ahead. It’s great to take to work or enjoy for dinner the next day, or for a warm and healthy meal for the kids to come home to and easily reheat.
Dinner – Chef V’s Chicken Pot Pie
For dinner, you are having my Chicken Pot Pie, made with healthier ingredients that will taste great and make you feel good. There is a vegan option as well!
This recipe is featured in my Cooking series on YouTube and you can watch me prepare the recipe here.
What Do I Eat Today – Menu with Chef V’s Turkey Risotto
This “What Do I Eat Today” menu starts with warm lemon water, then Green Drink. For breakfast, a Gnger Apple Berry Smoothie you are going to love. For lunch, my Spicy Vegetable Soup, and for dinner, Turkey Risotto, demonstrated in a Chef V Cooking School video.
I have lemon water in the morning and then I wait until I’m hungry to have my Green Drink.
For Breakfast – Ginger Apple Berry Smoothie
A morning ginger apple berry smoothie not only tastes great but is loaded with antioxidants to fight free radicals and reduce inflammation.
My “What do I Eat today” lunch is Spicy Veggie Soup. This is a spicy vegetable soup with jalapeno, quinoa, zucchini, black beans, and lots of spices. Vegan and gluten free. Add or reduce spices if you like your soup milder or super hot.
Dinner – Turkey Risotto
A super simple recipe, it has only 7 ingredients and is so easy to make. It has so much flavor, is so filling and balanced, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! “You don’t even know do’, it’s the BEST Risotto!”
While most risottos have a lot of cream and butter, we’re not going to use those. Using arborio rice, this risotto has a nice creamy texture that we’ll make using vegan broth.
This recipe is featured in my Cooking series on YouTube and you can watch me
prepare the recipe here.
Fall Pumpkin + Carrot Stew with Quinoa
My Fall Pumpkin Stew is made with mellow spices for a flavorful and healthy meal.
This stew can be prepared a day ahead. It’s great to take to work or enjoy for dinner the next day, or for a warm and healthy meal for the kids to come home to and easily reheat.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil
- 1 cup white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon each: black pepper, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground ginger, cayenne pepper
- Pinch saffron
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 cup cooked lentils (if canned, do not drain: if cooked, save 1/4 cup of the cooking water)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 cups (about 1& 1/2 pounds) cubed pumpkin
- 2 cups peeled carrots, cut into 3/4 inch slices
QUINOA
- 1 tablespoon cold-pressed olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups filtered water
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
First, prepare the stew. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, stirring often, for about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add the dry spices. Add 1 cup water, lentils (with liquid from the can or reserved 1/4 cup cooking water), and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the pumpkin and carrots. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Keep warm until the quinoa is finished, or cover the stew and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Next, prepare the quinoa. Place the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, covered, until translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often so the onion does not burn. Add the garlic, salt, and turmeric, and sauté for one minute. Add the quinoa and stir for one minute. Add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, for about 15 minutes.
To serve, stir half the cilantro and half of the basil into the warm stew. Spoon the quinoa onto a platter or divide among bowls and form a well in the center. Spoon the stew into the well and garnish with the remaining cilantro and basil, if desired.
Mediterranean Butternut Squash + Carrot Stew with Quinoa
My Mediterranean stew is made with mellow spices for a flavorful and healthy meal.
This stew can be prepared a day ahead. It's great to take to work or enjoy for dinner the next day, or for a warm and healthy meal for the kids to come home to and easily reheat.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil
- 1 cup white onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon each: black pepper, ground coriander, ground cumin, ground turmeric, ground ginger, cayenne pepper
- Pinch saffron
- 1 cup filtered water
- 1 cup cooked lentils (if canned, do not drain: if cooked, save 1/4 cup of the cooking water)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 cups (about 1& 1/2 pounds) cubed butternut squash
- 2 cups peeled carrots, cut into 3/4 inch slices
QUINOA
- 1 tablespoon cold-pressed olive oil
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 2 cups filtered water
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Directions
First, prepare the stew. Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until soft, stirring often, for about 15 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for 1 minute. Add the dry spices. Add 1 cup water, lentils (with liquid from the can or reserved 1/4 cup cooking water), and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the squash and carrots. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally and cook for about 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender. Keep warm until the quinoa is finished, or cover the stew and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Next, prepare the quinoa. Place the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, covered, until translucent, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often so the onion does not burn. Add the garlic, salt, and turmeric, and sauté for one minute. Add the quinoa and stir for one minute. Add 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, for about 15 minutes.
To serve, stir half the cilantro and half of the basil into the warm stew. Spoon the quinoa onto a platter or divide among bowls and form a well in the center. Spoon the stew into the well and garnish with the remaining cilantro and basil, if desired.
Spicy Veggie Soup
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- 2 cups sweet onion, diced
- 1 jalapeno, seeded (if preferred) and chopped
- 1 to 2 (2 1/2 to 3 cups) large zucchini, diced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 1/2 cups cooked or 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
- 1 cup spinach or kale leaves
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS
- Avocado
- cilantro
- green onion
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the oil in a stockpot over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion, and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes. Add the jalapeno and zucchini, and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes more.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for about 15 minutes, uncovered. Just before serving, stir in the cooked quinoa, black beans, cayenne, and greens. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Garnish with avocado, cilantro, and green onion.