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Hi! I am an Eclectus parrot owner and I love to cook! Why not be able to share your meals with your fids? I hope these ideas will encourage you to eat healthier as well as enrich the lives of your parrots. Enjoy and happy cooking!!

These recipes are designed to be made for you and your family AND be safe to share with your parrot. Special consideration has been given to the unique Eclectus diet. Please be aware that, where noted, some ingredients should be added ONLY to the human servings. If you have questions or suggestions feel free to add them in comments for that recipe!

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Zucchini Boats with Quinoa Stuffing


There is nothing tastier than zucchini, any way you cook it - if you ask ME.  I love it grilled, sauteed, stuffed...  so here's a healthy spin on stuffed zucchini that you can share with the fids!  Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1/2 C quinoa, rinsed
4 medium zucchini
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, rinsed
1 C grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
1/2 C almonds, chopped (about 2 ounces)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3/4 C grated Parmesan – the real stuff, preferably!  Grated cheese topping is generally too salty for the fiddies.
3 T olive oil

Directions

1. Heat oven to 400° F. In a large saucepan, combine the quinoa & 1 C water, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, simmer until the quinoa is tender & the water is absorbed, 12-15 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, cut the zucchini in half lengthwise & scoop out the seeds (your fids may enjoy them as an appetizer!). Arrange zucchini boats in a large baking dish, cut-side up.

3. Fluff the quinoa & fold in the beans, tomatoes, almonds, garlic, ½ C of the Parmesan & olive oil.

4. Spoon the mixture into the zucchini boats. Top with remaining ¼ C Parmesan. Cover with foil & bake until the zucchini is tender, 25-30 minutes. Remove the foil & bake until golden, 8-10 minutes.

Be sure to let the fiddie's portion cool before serving!

NOTE:  For other tasty stuffing ideas for the humans in the house, try adding Italian sausage, pepperoni, onions, bell peppers... just about any pizza topping is delicious!