I Made It Monday: Creamy Quinoa Primavera

I Made It Monday is making a comeback again...at least for a little while.  With the inspirations I discover on pinterest I have been trying a few new recipes over the last few months so I now have a little collection of recipes I can blog about. 

 So...Creamy Quinoa Primavera...It sounds fancy, but it is really not very complicated at all and OH SO yummy!  I first heard of quinoa about 2 years ago and I pronounced it 'qwih-noah' then discovered from a friend who had no idea what I was talking about that it is actually pronounced 'keen-wa'

This dish has helped meet all of my current food goals.  Tasty, healthy, simple, satisfying, and affordable.

First, we are attempting to cut down the amount of meat we are eating so I have been on the search for yummy yet still satisfying meatless meals.  Quinoa is a grain that is high in protein and can be very filling and satisfying.  I guess it could be argued that this recipe it isn't healthy by the mere fact that it contains cream cheese and butter - but I say it is in quite minimal amounts, there are a LOT of veggies, and if your food doesn't taste good to you it won't matter HOW healthy it is you will always be left wanting.

Second, although I have started eating wheat and dairy products again I still try to replace them when I can and again if it is satisfying.  Quinoa fits this goal as it is a gluten-free grain. 

And another goal is trying to find healthy yet AFFORDABLE options and recipes.  Originally I thought Quinoa wouldn't fit into this category because it averages around $5 for a small box in my grocery store. (I am currently investigating where to buy it in bulk cheaper - we like this recipe that much), but when I factored in that it would be replacing the meat I would have bought and that a little bit can make a lot it doesn't seem too bad.  PLUS, it is good for you!  Isn't that worth it? 

Another goal is simplicity.  It sounds like it could be labor intensive, but it really isn't THAT much work.  You cook the quinoa on the stove like you might rice and depending on the brand you may or may not need to rinse it, you have to cut up some veggies and saute them a a few minutes (approximately 2 minutes), but other than that it is not much more involved.  Maybe not the simplest of recipes, but not complicated at all!

And finally this is a very tasty dish.  It is just such a refreshing dish.  What really gives this dish the green light in our house is that Dan really likes it.  Of course he likes to add his hot sauce, but what doesn't he like to add that to?  The first few times I made it he wasn't too excited about the idea of a meatless, healthy, and strange sounding food but each time he tasted it he remembered how much he actually liked it the time before.  So now when I announce that is what is for dinner he is actually excited about it...which makes me all the more excited about it.

Ok, enough of the jibberjabber and convincing here is the recipe and you can decide for yourself if it meets YOUR food goals!  :O) 

 Creamy Quinoa Primavera

Prep Time: 10 Min     Total Time: 30 Min

Makes about 4-6 Servings

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked quinoa
• 3 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 ounces cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons butter or margarine
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 5 cups thinly sliced or bite-size pieces assorted vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, carrot or zucchini, bell peppers
• 2 tablespoons grated Romano or Parmesan cheese

Preparation Instructions:

1. Rinse quinoa thoroughly; drain. Heat quinoa and broth to boiling in 2-quart saucepan; reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until all broth is absorbed. Stir in cream cheese and basil; cover and remove from heat.
2. Melt butter in 10-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic in butter about 30 seconds, stirring frequently, until golden. Stir in vegetables. Cook about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
3. Toss vegetables and quinoa mixture. Sprinkle with Romano cheese.

 And there you have it!