Cheesy Quinoa Bake

Source: allrecipes.com (slightly modified)

oil for frying
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups uncooked quinoa
3 1/2 cups water
vegetable bouillon cube
1/2 stick butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
8 oz. sharp cheddar, shredded
4 oz. shredded mozzarella
1 large tomato, cored & sliced (optional)
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
2 TB butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Heat oil in large saucepan.  Add onion; cook and stir until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Bring water, quinoa, & cube to a boil; reduce heat & simmer 15 minutes or until water has been absorbed.
3. Heat 1/2 stick butter in another saucepan over medium-low heat. Add flour; cook and stir to form a paste, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in milk. Season with salt and ground black pepper; simmer on low until thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, a little at a time, until combined. Stir cheese sauce into quinoa mixture.
4. Stir together panko & melted butter. Place tomato slices on top of quinoa; top with bread crumbs. Bake in the oven until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Skillet Corn Bread

Source: www.foodnetwork.com

1 1/4 cups coarsely ground cornmeal
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup whole milk
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Optional: chopped fresh jalapeno

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and place a 9-inch cast iron skillet inside to heat while you make the batter.
In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk in the milk, buttermilk, and eggs (and optional jalapeno). Whisk in almost all of the melted butter, reserving about 1 tablespoon for the skillet later on.
2. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Coat the bottom and sides of the hot skillet with the remaining butter. Pour the batter into the skillet and place it in the center of the oven. Bake until the center is firm and a cake tester or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Allow to cool for 10 to 15 minutes and serve.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/cast-iron-skillet-corn-bread-recipe.html?oc=linkback