Quin-wha??

This week for a side dish I made quinoa, which was uncharted territory for me. Quinoa is a "Power Food" and has twice the protein of rice and is rich in vitamins such as B6 and E, and immune boosters zinc and iron.

I didn't know what to expect and picked a recipe that seemed easy from wholeliving.com:

Quinoa-Spinach Bake

I read the reviews and doctored it up accordingly with extra cheese and an extra egg. It didn't turn out as exciting as I'd hoped, but I enjoyed the texture and consistency of the baked quinoa and thought of it as a great base for many variations. This dish with a few different veggies and herbs could make a good substitute for cornbread dressing. I could see this as part of a healthier approach to Thanksgiving. I would also like it in a Greek version with more spinach, kalamata olives, feta cheese and roasted tomatoes!

A little research turned up a New York Times article about quinoa and lists some delicious sounding recipes to try. Definitely worth a look!

Recipes for Health: Quinoa