Quinoa and Bean Salad

Hi Drunks!

I know it's been a longgggg time since I've posted.  Our travel schedule has made my cooking pretty much non-existent (I know nobody feels bad for me :), but now that we're back I'm ready to share some recipes again! We shared a delicious dinner with the newlyweds last night and I brought this as a side.

This salad is delish, healthy, and pretty easy to make.  You can put in pretty much any veggies / beans that you have lying around, and could also add some chopped nuts for an extra crunch.  This makes a large batch (it's great leftover / for lunch), so feel free to half.  I pretty much just wing it on the spices, so below are estimates, but definitely give it a taste and adjust to your liking.  Happy Mailmanning!

KReh

This is only ~half the batch :)

Ingredients

• 1.5c quinoa, rinsed if needed
• 3c water
• 1 bouillon cube, chicken or vegetable-flavored (optional)
• 1 can black beans
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can corn (or ~1.5c fresh or frozen corn, thawed)
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1/2 a red onion
• 1 lime
• 1/2 c olive oil
• ~1 tbsp garlic powder
• ~1 tbsp chili powder
• ~1 tsp cayenne pepper (gives it a bit of a kick)
• ~1 tsp salt
• ~1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Cook quinoa in water, adding bouillon cube prior to boiling if desired (will give it a bit more flavor); let quinoa cool to room temperature
• Drain and rinse beans / corn and let dry
• Finely chop onion and red pepper
• Combine quinoa, veggies, and beans in large bowl; mix well
• Cut lime into halves and juice over mixture 
• Add olive oil and spices to mixture
• Mix everything up really well!



Mellerho mailmanned the whole bowl!

• Mailman!

Mailman! (The mellerho's steak salad was also delish)

Holy Moly Guacamole

Hey guys! This recipe is very simple so if anyone has some suggestions or ideas of what to add post them! I like to change it up every time I make guacamole (which is becoming weekly because Mr. California inhales it).

Ingredients:

Avocados: 2 (good for serving 2-4 people)
Tomato: 1
Lime/ Lime juice
Cumin
Paprika


Instructions:

Peel and pit the avocados. Slice them up a bit to help with the mixing after other ingredients are in. 
Squeeze lime juice on the sliced avocados immediately. This helps prevent the brownish color they turn after being out for a bit. 
Cut up the tomato, throw it in the bowl, and using a fork smash and mix up the guac. I use a fork because I like the guacamole to have avocado chunks in it instead of being blended smooth, but either way is delicious. 
Then go ahead and add some spices. You can do anything from Taco seasoning to just some cumin and paprika, but it is totally up to you. Give me some suggestions of what you have used in the past! 

A dramatic mailman for a dramatically delicious dip. 

BBQ Asparagus

The asparagus came in early this year, so Natalie and I have been cooking lots of it. This little masterpiece was modified from the oven to fit the ol' Weber and came out delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Nice, thick asparagus
• Olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Pepper
• Parmesan Cheese

Directions:

• Light coals, allow to get nice and hot
• Make a foil tray and place asparagus (ends chopped off) into tray
• Liberally drizzle with olive oil (use lots of it!)
• Season with salt, pepper, and Parmesan cheese
• Place on grill, but not directly over heat, give some space
• Cover grill, cook for 10-15 minutes until thickest asparagus are tender
• Serve, gorge, repeat as necessary

We ate this so fast this was the only picture I was able to take of it :)

Happy cooking mailmanning!