QUINOA

               

Quinoa is a delicious way to get protein without eating meat.  It is always described as an “ancient grain”.  Well if it’s so ancient I wonder why I had never heard about it until 2 years ago!  Anyway, it is very versatile since you can enjoy it hot or cold- and it is quite hearty.  So it can be a side dish or it makes a great salad entrée.   I also appreciate that it requires very little seasoning.   I will share both a hot and cold variation below.

Ingredients: Served as a hot side dish

½ cup quinoa

1 cup water or vegetable broth

1 large tomato, chopped

½ medium onion, chopped

2 t. olive oil

¼ t. kosher salt

Instructions:

*Place olive oil, chopped tomato, ¼ t. salt and chopped onion in a sauté pan.

Saute until onion is translucent.

*Rinse quinoa

*Place quinoa and water into saucepan.

*Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

*Turn off heat, fluff quinoa with a fork.

*Add sautéed vegetables to quinoa and serve immediately.

Ingredients:  Served as a cold salad

½ cup quinoa

1 cup water

1 chopped cucumber

½ chopped red pepper

Splash of balsamic vinegar

Pinch of kosher salt

Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for garnish

Instructions:

*Rinse quinoa

*Place quinoa and water into a  saucepan.

*Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

*Turn off heat and let quinoa cool.

*Refrigerate quinoa until it becomes cold.

*When ready to serve, place serving of quinoa on a salad plate with the chopped cucumber and chopped red pepper.

*Add a splash of balsamic vinegar and salt if desired .

*Garnish with seeds if desired and serve.