Kinky with “Keen-wah”

You may see it written about everywhere: “Quinoa” A super food! Gluten free and contains all the essential amino acids. In fact 2013 has been named the International Year of Quinoa! Yes it is pronounced “KEEN-wah”!

Basically it is a seed of the goosefoot plant that was grown in the Andes. However it is easy to cook and serves as a great substitute for polenta or “grits” and is so much more healthy for your Master and His guests.

Keen-wah rule of thumb is 1 cup Quinoa to 2 cups liquid (vegetable or chicken broth). Bring to boil and let it simmer until liquid is absorbed, like you would rice.

So ready? Lets get Kinky with Keen-wah!

 

Ingredients
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil  
1 green pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces  
1 medium leek, white and light green parts only, cleaned & thinly sliced

2 stalks celery, diced  
1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 cup peeled and diced butternut squash

1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1 cup quinoa  
2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth

1/2 lbs Kidney beans (or Navy) soaked overnight in baking soda and drained.

1/2 Cup shredded carrots
4 cups baby spinach (about 3 ounces) washed! toasted chopped walnuts.

Directions 

Prep:

Night before: put the beans in a bowl big enough that you can cover the beans with 2 inches of water. Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda, stir and cover. Let sit in refrigerator overnight. Be sure to drain and rinse before cooking!

Dice green pepper and celery. Wash and thinly slice the leek, peel and cube the squash. 

 

 Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the bell peppers, leek, celery, with 1 teaspoon Kosher salt and cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and squash, cook about 2 more minutes. Stir in the quinoa, then add 2 cups broth and the beans.

Add ½ to 1 cup shredded carrots. Bring to a simmer and cook covered, stirring occasionally, until most of the water is absorbed and the quinoa is cooked through, about 15 minutes. Add up to 1/4 cup more broth if necessary.

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the spinach a little at a time. It will look like it is too much but once it is stirred into the heat it will wilt way down. (too many jokes – too little time)

Sprinkle with chopped walnuts

IMPORTANT FINAL NOTE:

The Quinoa that you buy in the store will probably be in a nice box and it will say that it has been thoroughly rinsed. It looks like a white bird seed. If you get some in it's “natural” state the seeds will be coated with a dark brown resin like substance called saponin. You will want to rinse this completely off. Line a sieve with a coffee filter and make sure it is all gone. It gives a very bitter taste! Oh by the way if you do rinse this off, collect it in a spray bottle because it is an insect repellent!.

Happy to be owned by my Master Indy

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Per serving: Calories 394; Fat 15 g (Saturated 4 g); Sodium 724 mg; Carbohydrate 53 g; Fiber 9 g; Protein 16 g