Queen Quinoa for Meatless Monday!

I call it “Queen” because it is a royal powerhouse grain… or in actuality, a seed. However, for all practical purposes easier to just deem it a “grain”. Quinoa comes from a leafy green plant that happens to be related to the powerful plant, spinach, so you know it’s got to be a “muscle

food”! Oh are you having trouble pronouncing it? It’s KEEN-WHA.

Quinoa is truly gifted, for one reason it provides our bodies with all 9 essential amino acids! Which is why vegans eat it just about every day, I’ll bet you they do anyway!  

Quinoa is a good source of many minerals, such as; Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese, and Selenium also a good source of folate, B6, Riboflavin, Thiamin and Vitamin E!

P – O  – W - E –R – F –U – L!!

Because of its slow releasing carbohydrates, quinoa does a great job of controlling our blood sugar levels.  A small serving helps to make you feel full and satisfied!  Although a somewhat bland grain, it is very pleasant tasting has a nice smooth texture and is not by any means “grainy”.  Cooking it with different vegetables and spices will enhance the flavors tremendously!

Tonight's food on the table is...

Queen Quinoa Warm Salad with Cannellini Beans

-Serves Six 

2 T. olive oil

1 ½ onion chopped

½ red bell pepper chopped (or orange, or both)

3 small roma tomatoes chopped

1 can of cannellini beans (15 oz can) drain and rinse

3 scallions chopped

2 cloves of garlic chopped

½ cup of chopped cilantro (this is a must, do not skip out on this ingredient!)

½ teaspoon salt

Pepper to taste

½ teaspoon of cumin

½ teaspoon of red pepper spice

3 cups of dry quinoa

6 cups of water

Feta Cheese crumbles (Optional Ingredient, but oh so good with this!!)

Slow boil a large pot of water, add quinoa and cook until water has evaporated.

While the quinoa is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan. Sauté the garlic, onions and bell peppers until tender, about 8 minutes.  Add salt and pepper, and all other spices.

Add cannellini beans and chopped tomatoes. Once quinoa has completely soaked up the water, add (as much as you desire) to vegetables, stir together, then add the cilantro.

Be sure to take a taste and add additional spice if necessary. I did mix in about ¼ of feta 

cheese crumbles, which adds a bit of saltiness and phenomenal flavor!

Well that was the main course, along with thick slices of grilled zucchini. We all felt that this dish was quite delicious and I will most definitely be making it many more times!

Hope you'll try it soon! 

Here’s to health and happiness!! 

~Rebecca~