I've been having fun experimenting with quinoa lately. I have to admit, the first time I saw it I was weirded out by what it looks like, but trust me, don't judge a book by it's cover!!! Quinoa's a grain-like crop that tastes similar to brown rice but a little bit more crunchy and nutty tasting.
This superfood's loaded with protein, fibre, magnesium, calcium and iron (aaaand is gluten free). It's pretty versatile too so you can get really creative with all the different ways you can cook it.
This is a simple recipe I use for work lunches. Not only is it yummy but it's actually insanely filling so you won't need more than a couple of mouthfulls before starting to feel full up!
Here's what you'll need to make it:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa (white or red)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
Salad dressing ingredients:
- 3-4 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp. fresh basil, minced
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- juice of half a lemon
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2-3 green onions, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. italian parsley, chopped
To add on afterwards:
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered or halved
- 1 cup canned corn
Follow the directions on your quinoa package before you begin (some brands require them to be rinsed before using).
Next pour the quinoa into a pot and add in the broth and bring it to a boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook until all the broth has been absorbed and the grains are soft (around 10-15 minutes). Pour the quinoa into a serving bowl.
Mix together the dressing ingredients and pour it in with the quinoa and stir.
Add in the black beans and canned corn and mix some more.
Cut the cherry tomatoes right before you're about to eat (I do this in the office)
This recipe will last you the whole working week in the fridge
Happy eating!
