Cheap and Healthy - Quinoa and Vegetables

I have been turned on to Quinoa as a vegetable and as an alternative to potatoes and rice and makes a good base for a meal. It appears expensive but a little goes a long way. A pound costs about $3-5 depending on where you shop and I have found a pound does about 6-10 single serving meals. 1/2 cup of dry quinoa yields about 1 1/4 cup cooked.

• First prepare the Quinoa.
• Rinse quinoa thoroughly in a small strainer or by running fresh water over the quinoa in a pot. Drain. I also like as an alternative, quickly roast the Quinoa in a dry saute pan until it starts to pop. This "cooks off" the dry powder and gives the quinoa a nice roasted flavor.
• Put quinoa and water in 1 1/2 qt. saucepan; about 1 cup of water for  each 1/2 cup of quinoa; bring to boil. I also add a teaspoon of olive oil into the boiling water. Reduce heat to simmer; cover and cook until all water is absorbed (10-15 minutes). When done, the grain appears translucent and the germ ring will be visible.
• While the quinoa is in preparation, saute yellow squash, some chopped broccoli, onions and garlic. Be creative, try other vegetables or even diced chicken or lamb.
• When the quinoa is done, pour into the saute pan, turn down the heat add a handful of raisins, a few pinches of cumin and oregano. Cover and let the the juices of the vegetables be contained.

Again be creative, don't be afraid to try something you like. While cooking throw in some zuccini for example, or cherry tomatos. Or both.

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