Quinoa: The Mother of All Grains

1 cup quinoa
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups water
5 ounces fresh baby spinach
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup walnut pieces, toasted
½ cup freshly grated
Parmesan cheese
Basil leaves

1. Place quinoa in small bowl, add water to cover, and swish to rinse. Pour into fine mesh strainer and drain well.
2. Heat oil in large skillet. Add quinoa. Cook, stirring, over medium heat until golden, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add salt and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and cook over medium-low until water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
3. Add spinach and tomatoes. Cook over medium heat until spinach is almost wilted and tomatoes are warmed, about 1 minute. Stir in walnuts and cheese. Garnish with basil leaves. Serves 4.

Recipe courtesy of Health Barn USA, Relish Cooking with kids, April 2008.

Per serving: 360 calories, 19g fat, 37mg chol, 13g prot., 37g carbs., 6g fiber, 510mg sodium

4 1/2 cups lower-sodium chicken broth, divided
2 cups (12 ounces) quinoa
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 pound smoked turkey kielbasa, sliced in 1/4-inch rounds
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
1 cup spicy V-8 juice
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup grape tomato halves

1. Combine 4 cups chicken broth and quinoa in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook 15 minutes.
2. Heat oil in a skillet and add kielbasa, onion, bell pepper and garlic. Sauté about 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add remaining broth and V-8 juice; bring to simmer. Add shrimp and simmer 5 minutes or until done. Add peas, tomatoes and cooked quinoa and toss. Serves 8.

"Relish the Healthy Table," April 2007.

Quinoa stands in for rice in this easy Creole dish.

Per serving: 320 calories, 8g fat, 26g prot., 38g carbs, 5g fiber, 550mg sodium.