quinoa salad

I love when my kitchen sings to me. Sometimes it’s a tender falsetto, other times it’s methodical rapping to a hot beat. Whatever the harmony, when ingredients come out from the shadows of my cabinets and refrigerator to reveal themselves, the song is so sweet.

This time I cooked up some quinoa with vegetable stock, according to the package’s directions (and no matter what that package says, add a bit of butter while its cooking). Meanwhile, I sauteed greens in olive oil (you can use whatever you have on hand; I had arugula leftover from a pesto recipe, and a bunch of fresh spinach that was on its way out). Soaked golden raisins (I hate the regular kind) in hot water until plump and tender, then drained. Combined all of the above, along with a healthy amount of pine nuts. Seasoned with S & P and I was good to go.

Not sure if my S.S. was expecting this for breakfast, but that’s what he got. And he wasn’t sad about it.

This would make for a lovely side dish, but has enough going on to shine as a main entree. Plus, quinoa is a complete protein, providing all the itty bitty amino acids our bodies need to, you know, do its thing. And that’s something to celebrate. In your underwear, of course.