Recipe: Quinoa with Spinach and Cheese

Hey guys . . . here's another one of my favorite recipes from the Biggest Loser Simple Swaps cookbook. I took it to Jayden's blue and gold scouts dinner and it went over really well. I was so happy it did. It tastes a little like rice-o-roni so kids will like it but its also REALLY good for them. Feel free to take out the cheese, I'm sure it's just as yummy!

Ingredients:

2 tsp olive oil

1 cup diced onion

1/2 cup diced celery

1 tsp minced garlic

1 cup quinoa, rinsed well

2 cups fat free, low sodium chicken or vegetable broth

2 cups shopped spinach, kale, or swiss chard

1/2 cup chopped mushrooms

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and quinoa and cook for about 1 minute longer, stirring occasionally. Do not brown the garlic. Add the broth and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 12 minutes, the mixture will be brothy and the quinoa almost done. Stir in the spinach and mushrooms and simmer for 2 minutes longer, or until the quinoa grains have turned from white to transparent. Add the cheese. Season with the salt and pepper. Serve hot.

(also good as a cold salad)

Makes 6 - 3/4 cup servings....160 calories, 7 g protein per serving!