Chocolate No Bake cookies

Who doesn't love chocolate peanut butter no bakes? Scott and I are certainly no exception. After searching and making these many times, I've finally settled on a recipe that I love. It has more cocoa and more peanut butter than most so the flavor is deeper and more meaningful. 

Chocolate Peanut Butter No Bake Cookies

In a medium saucepan, combine:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup cocoa powder

2 cups white sugar

Bring to a boil and let boil no longer than 1 minute. Longer = more crumbly, shorter = more gooey. Remove pan from heat and ADD:

3/4 cup peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups quick oats

Stir until completely combined. I add the peanut butter and vanilla first, stir until it's melted, then add the oats. Drop by spoonful onto wax paper. Cool and enjoy! ...or eat a spoonful straight out of the pan, burn your tongue, yet rejoice in the deliciousness.

**I am a mess minimalist when it comes to these. I use a 1/2 c. measuring cup for everything except the oats. Measure the sugar first, then cocoa, then milk, then peanut butter. I pile the peanut butter high to what looks about 3/4 cup. It's not rocket science and doesn't have to be perfect. Then I use a 1 c. measurer for the oats, and pour the vanilla from the cap. Easy peasy fast clean up!

Quinoa Burgers

I found the original recipe through Pinterest while looking for new and interesting dinner ideas. Of course I was completely intrigued and decided to give these a try. Since I seem to be nearly incapable of following most recipes exactly, I had to alter things a bit. The original called for cumin, and in my opinion, cumin and fresh veggie flavor don't seem to go together. Scott and I love quinoa and these burgers turned out incredibly delicious!!

Quinoa Burgers

2 cups, rounded, cooked quinoa
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 medium carrot, grated or finely minced
3 eggs
2 green onions, chopped, including white parts
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. Herbs de Provence (could use extra Italian seasoning instead)
Olive oil for frying

To cook quinoa:
1 cup dry quinoa
2 cups water
sprinkle of salt

Add together in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook about 15-20 minutes.

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the cooked quinoa (can let it cool slightly). Pour some oil into a skillet and heat on medium/medium-low. Using a 1/4 cup measuring cup, scoop mixture and drop onto oil then press down gently to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cook about 4 minutes each side. Serve with lettuce, tomato, avocado, ketchup, ranch, etc. Makes about 10 burgers, each around 125 calories.