Quinoa-who knew?

Thanks to Sara Pomeroy for turning me onto this!

Pronounced:  kinWAH...it's a grain, kind of like cous cous.  I got a bag of it (the "vegetable melange variety) at good old Trader Joe's.  High in fiber and protein, and low in fat, it's, like, really GOOD for you.  This particular bag came from the frozen section for a little under $5.  It'll make two or three servings for me.  You just throw it a pan with a couple tablespoons of water (I used chicken broth) and add whatever you want.  Let it heat for five minutes or so.  I let the grains get a little browned, because I thought it was pretty that way.  This already had some "kick" to it, so the roasted garlic I added was a bit "much" I admit.  Sara tells me she adds chicken or fish to it for a complete dinner.  

I made some frozen sweet potato fries (baked, not fried, I might add!) as a side.  

Feeling rather pleased with myself for having a healthy dinner that actually tasted good, was visually appealing, and really made my tummy happy.

SO freakin' easy and quick.  I can how this would be a good thing to make a few servings of ahead of time and freeze for quick and easy lunches or dinners.  

I did a little reading about it; apparently there's a push in some poor countries to grow and eat this due to its high nutritional value.  All I know is it's good, and it's cheap.  Can't wait to try variations of it!

I pronounce this "worthy!"

Bon Apetit, y'all!

Inspiration! Black Beans and Rice

So I'd been racking my brain to figure out a way to eat rice and beans that isn't just full out carbs (the rice).  I liked the idea of the fiber in the beans (remember my mantra:  "fiber is our friend."  It helps keep the cholesterol  in a good place, and helps keep you running....um...."regular.")

I ALMOST have it figured out.   I heated up a can of black beans (minus the liquid that I drained off) with two individual servings on Minute Rice brand brown and wild rice.  Added some bacon fat for flavor (hey-nobody's good ALL the time!) and a little chicken broth and cumin.  Cumin adds a neat "smoky" flavor, by the way.

(Sidebar:  always keep some chicken broth in the fridge.  It's cheap and magically adds flavor to pretty much anything).  I now return you to my regularly scheduled programming...

It's pretty good this way, but still needs "something."  I'm thinking maybe a dash of Tabasco, but since I don't have any right now, I can't test that theory.  Suggestions welcome.

Here's what I like about this concoction:

>It's practically instant

>Stores easily/reheats easily

>Fills you up

>I can eat it as a light supper/lunch, or a side with something protein-related.

>And it's freakin' CHEAP!!  The can of beans was 99 cents, and the two servings of Minute Rice cost $2.39. 

 Bon Apetit, Y'all!

Alison