You can get quinoa at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. Quinoa is a very delicious grain that can replace rice and it cooks like rice. It originated in the Andean region of South America and it is considered a complete protein sourcebecause it contains the essential amino acids that humans need. Cook it on the stovestop or in your rice cooker with your choice of vegetables and herbs. To add more nutritional value, try germinating the quinoa by soaking it in water for 2-4 hours. The vitamins will actually multiply with the germination process. This is what I would call… a super food!

Ingredients:

Directions:

1. Sauté the onions and bell peppers. Add garlic and season with salt and pepper. Do not overcook the bell peppers.

2. Cook quinoa according to package instructions and use vegetable broth instead of plain water to cook the quinoa.

3. Toss sauteed vegetables with the fresh basil and quinoa until the basil wilts. You can replace the basil with chopped cilantro or parsley. It’s up to you.

*This is a modified version of Trader Joe’s Quinoa recipe.