Quinoa...

I made a couple of things with quinoa I bought when I went to Trader Joe's for the first time. The first thing I made was unforgettable chocolate quinoa cake. I was a little nervous about how it would turn out. Jason was very hesitant to try it. It was fairly simple to make and not too hard for the first time using quinoa. It was definitely more time consuming having to rinse it and then cook it, but it wasn't that bad. 

http://www.barefeetinthekitchen.com/2013/08/unforgettable-chocolate-quinoa-cake-recipe.html?m=1

The second thing I made was Light Chicken, Quinoa & Vegetable Soup Recipe

I did make some adjustments so I will just put what I did.

1 1/2 tsp coconut oil

2 Tbs butter 

3 Tbs flour

1 c milk

half of a rotisserie chicken

1 - 2 tsp fresh ground black pepper

1 1/2 large shallots, minced

2-3 c sliced carrots (I'm a huge fan of carrots)

(we didn't add any celery)

1 tsp dried thyme

1/4 tsp basil

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa

8 cups water (with chicken bouillon to make chicken broth, plus 1. I'm talking the big ones that you add two cups water to)

In large stock pot boil the water and make the chicken broth with the bouillon cubes add the carrots and boil for 10-15 minutes.

While the carrots are boiling, use a skillet and add the oil, butter, and shallots. Cook until the shallots are translucent. 

I added flour to the skillet to make it thicker, but you could mix some hot broth with cornstarch then return to the carrots

stir in the flour and mix for about a minute. Add milk and stir, reduce heat and mix slowly. (you want it to be thick, but thin enough to pour)

Add this mixture to the stock pot. Stir. Add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a boil for 5 ish minutes and there you have it. 

Even Jason liked it.