Quinoa

I must admit, quinoa is something that has grown on me.  I didn't like it the first time I tried it and I think because I made it too mushy by adding too much water and cooking it too long.  But now, I am a quinoa master... well, it was good anyway.  My secret is half a vegetable bullion in the cooking water and a 1/2 cup less water than the box calls for... yes, I buy it in a box.  After this box is finished I have promised myself to try it from bulk.

Tonight I was so happy because my youngest son, the pickiest eater of my 3, loves quinoa and ate two servings. This makes me happy because quinoa is the only "grain" high in ALL amino acids... a complete protein as they say, high in iron, magnesium and fiber.  I say "grain" because quinoa is a psuedocereal... not really a grain at all.  I was surprised to find it is most related to beets, and spinach!

chopped salad with tahini lemon dressing, sweet potato fries and quinoa

My idea for tonight's dinner was to mix the quinoa with a chopped salad, a sort of couscous salad but with quinoa, but after it was cooked, it was just too yummy not to eat alone and hot.

My basic recipe for quinoa:
1 1/2 cup water
1/2 vegetable bullion
1 cup quinoa

mix all together, bring to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer, simmer for 14 minutes, fluff and let it sit for a bit.

I served the quinoa tonight with sweet potato fries that I tossed in a bit of olive oil, garlic powder and kosher salt, a chopped salad that had grated carrot, yellow pepper, cucumber, tomato, chopped parsley, juice of one lemon, two tablespoons of tahini, kosher salt, and a bit of pepper.  The kids also got a slice of meatloaf made with grass fed locally raised beef.