Birthday Quinoa and Cake

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Did a lot of loungin’ around today!

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We had friends + babies over to celebrate Isaac’s birthday.  I would tell you how old he is, but then he would kill me.  Instead, I’ll just say that when I asked what he wished for, he said that every year of his life has been better than the last, and all he wants this year is for things to stay as wonderful as they are right now.  Isn’t that a nice sentiment?

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I made this tasty meal for our guests!

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It’s a spin off a dish in Veganomicon and very, very tasty.

 

Quinoa and Mandarin Oranges

 

Ingredients (for 6 servings):

 

  • 2 cups cooked quinoa, prepared per package directions
  • 1 block extra firm tofu
  • 2 small cans of Mandarin oranges, packed in juice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 yellow pepper
  • 1 orange pepper
  • 1/2 cup whole cashews

 

Directions:

 

  • Prepare tofu per cast iron tofu directions.  When the tofu is about halfway done, flip the cubes and add in juice from the cans of Mandarin oranges.  Let simmer until all the juice cooks off.
  • Meanwhile, chop tomatoes and peppers.
  • In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, tofu, oranges, tomatoes, peppers, and cashew.  Season with salt.
  • Enjoy!

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(Cake was Hodgson Mill Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix – it was pretty good as far as those things go!)

 

A perfect meal for a perfect birthday celebration. Now, if you’ll excuse me, we have some leftover cake…

{ 17 comments }

 

  • Caroline September 29, 2012, 8:19 pm

    The birthday quinoa looks absolutely delicious. YUM!!

  • Caileigh September 29, 2012, 8:52 pm

    The set up of your house always confuses me! Every time I think I have it figured out, you post another photo that totally throws me off!

    • Caitlin September 29, 2012, 10:16 pm

      hahah there is a second floor landing that overlooks the living room area.

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More September 29, 2012, 9:11 pm

    Looks like a fun evening with some delicious eats! Totally making note of that quinoa recipe!!

  • Carrie September 29, 2012, 10:21 pm

    I added your quinoa recipe to my list of recipes to try! Looks yummy!

  • Leftover cake September 29, 2012, 10:54 pm

    Holla! Caitlin… oh Caitlin… please eat me… you KNOW you want to!

  • Amanda September 30, 2012, 11:21 am

    I love that “birthday quinoa”! 🙂 Quinoa is THAT special!!!!

  • Molly @ RDexposed September 30, 2012, 12:06 pm

    So glad Maggie got in on the lounging picture. Cute!

  • Ashlee September 30, 2012, 1:18 pm

    I want to like quinoa so much!! I just don’t! I’ll try this recipe…I think the mandarins would add some flava!!

  • Lindsay September 30, 2012, 1:41 pm

    Looks like an awesome party! I could go for a nice thick slice of cake right now.

    Hey, are you and Isaac still working on a project/new business together?

    • Caitlin September 30, 2012, 6:37 pm

      yup! hopefully to announce soon.

  • Lauren @ The Homeostatic Mindset September 30, 2012, 6:19 pm

    Mmmmm…. I.WANT.CAKEEEEE. 😀

  • Kelly @foodiefresh September 30, 2012, 8:56 pm

    Please relay the message — Isaac, I love the hat. Go Heels!!! Happy Birthday!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) October 1, 2012, 2:12 am

    That first photo is supa coo!

  • Ellen @ Wannabe Health Nut October 1, 2012, 12:45 pm

    Yummy, simple, healthy meal…love it! I went through a tofu phase and then fell off…need to try your cooking method.

  • Lisa October 1, 2012, 4:27 pm

    I love your rug, where did you get it? The cake looks yummy!

    • Caitlin October 1, 2012, 6:05 pm

      Home Goods!

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