SOMETHING OTHER THAN PAPER!

YEA ....

SOMETHING TO SHARE

OTHER THAN PAPER!

Dear Daughter and I spent a little

time in the kitchen today!

She wanted Pasta Salad and

I've been wanting to make

a salad using Quinoa.

We've been trying to eat better,

exercise and just over all getting

in better shape!

So, I'll share my Quinoa Salad!

Cooked Quinoa and a bowl of

added ingredients!

I'm not much on following

an actual recipe. I'll look

at one, then put my own

spin on it.

So, I'll try to tell you what I did!

For the Quinoa -

3 1/2 Cups of Water

(I used 1-can chicken broth, then

additional water to make 3 1/2 cups.)

1 1/2 Cups rinsed Quinoa

Bring water to boil,

add rinsed Quiona.

Reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Then turn off heat and let

sit covered for 5-15 minutes.

Set this aside.

Now for the bowl of

Yummies!!!

3 stalks of celery, sliced fine

4 green onions, sliced 

1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped

1 can black beans (any bean will work)

1/2-3/4 cup chopped carrots

1/2-3/4 chopped pecans

1 hand full of regular raisins

1 hand full golden raisins

Cherry Tomato's sliced in half

(I used about 1/2 of a small package)

1/2 package of baby spinich

(blanched slightly)

I also added about

1/2 of a spaghetti squash

cooked, cool and chopped

(The squash was a left over.)

And, for good measure 

2 spoonful's of minced garlic

Salt, Pepper & Thyme to taste

(I think that's it!)

Dressing

(now this I just eyeball & pour)

About 1/4 Cup of Olive Oil

About 1/4 Cup of White Vinegar
2 Tablespoons of lemon juice

And ...a tad of Sesame Seed Oil

I also added just a touch of sugar to taste.

Now, you just combine the Quinoa, dressing and

your yummies -- mix well.

Let sit for 1-2 hours for flavors to meld

together!

Now ....enjoy!
I'll top it with a bit of Feta Cheese
when we eat!

Just a bit on Quinoa.

I've never cooked with this

ingredient; but since hubby and I

are trying to eat healthier I 

thought I'd give it a try!

Quinoa is an ancient, traditional grain

grown at 12,000 feet above sea level.

It is a whole grain and has been

classified by the National Academy of Sciences

as one of the best sources of protein

in the vegetable kingdom.

Quinoa is gluten-free, has a

low glycemic index and provides

all of the eight essential amino acids,

and has 6g of protein.

Info ... from the package I

purchased. 'truRoots Organic Quiona'

(I purchased it at Costco.)

So, there you have it!

My version of a very healthy

Quinoa Salad!