From the Redux team –

Fresh from the Garden

The season of bountiful produce has arrived. Whether your produce comes from the Farmers Market, a CSA share, or a plot of dirt out back, show how you are using fresh July fruits or veggies.

Bowls of grains and protein topped with big piles of roasted vegetables are a dinner favorite in our house year-round, but in the summer-time it’s nice to be able to count on in-season produce that’s both fresh and locally grown.

For these bowls I used both veggies and fruits – zucchini, grape tomatoes, and yellow peaches.  Plus some slightly out of season fresh lime juice.

Honey, chipotle, garlic, and lime marinated chicken strips.  Roasted zucchini.  And white quinoa with tomato, peach, honey, chipotle sauce.

Honey Chipotle Chicken and Vegetable Quinoa Bowls; makes 4 hearty servings

• 1/2 tsp and 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp ground garlic
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1 Tbsp and 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Tbsp and 1.5 Tbsp honey
• 7.5 oz can chipotle peppers in adobe
• 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 4 cups sliced zucchini, sliced in 1/8 inch thick circles
• 10 oz grape tomatoes
• medium sweet onion, cut in half and then sliced into 1/4 inch thick half circles
• 2 cups chopped yellow peaches
• 2.25 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup white quinoa
• 1/2 Tbsp canola oil

{In advance}  In a large, durable baggie, combine 1/2 tsp salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, lime juice, 1 Tbsp evoo, and 1 Tbsp honey.  Remove six chipotle peppers from the can (be sure to keep them!) and then dump the rest of the peppers and sauce into the bag.  Stir marinade until well-combined.  Add chicken breasts and toss to coat.  Marinate for at least 6 hours or up to 24 hours.

{When you’re ready to get cooking}  Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Prep two baking sheets with baking spray (and aluminum foil if desired for easy clean up).  On one tray, place the zucchini in an even layer; they can be bunched but try not to overlap.  On the other tray, place tomatoes, onion, and peaches in an even layer.  Drizzle the remaining 2 Tbsp of evoo evenly over the vegetables, then sprinkle with remaining 1/2 tsp salt.

Roast the tomatoes, onions, and peaches for 20 – 25 minutes, until the tomato skins have begun to blister but not brown.  Remove that tray from the oven and set aside to cool.  Bake the zucchini for an additional 15 – 20 minutes, 40 – 45 minutes total.

{While the vegetables are roasting} Stir together chicken broth and quinoa in a medium pot on high heat.  Bring to a rolling boil then reduce heat and simmer for 15 – 20 minutes, until all of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally.

Pour the canola oil into a large, lidded pan over medium-high heat, turning the pan to coat.  Working in batches as needed so as not to overcrowd the pan, cover the pan and cook chicken breasts 5 – 7 minutes on each side until cooked through.  Set aside cooked chicken until cool enough to handle then slice into thin strips.

{Once the quinoa is cooked}  Allow the cooked tomatoes, onion, and peaches to cool for at least 5 minutes.  Place them in your food processor and process 5 – 10 seconds until homogenous.  Add the remaining 6 chipotle peppers and the remaining 1.5 Tbsp honey and process until combined.  Stir the sauce into the cooked quinoa.  Note – you most likely will have more sauce than you need, we used about 3/4 of our batch and then saved the rest for turkey sandwiches and tortilla chip dip.

{When you are ready to serve}  Divide the quinoa evenly among four bowls, topping with additional sauce if desired.  Top with cooked chicken and zucchini slices.  Serve outdoors, if possible.

Click the link below to see what other Redux members cooked up.  I’m hoping someone tackled watermelon!