I can’t get enough of this quinoa dish, Gorgeouses. I’ve made enough for what I thought were a few days, but it’s lasting me FIVE WHOLE DAYS. Quinoa’s just so FILLING, you know?

I got the recipe from a cookbook I am LOVING….

This cookbook is so deliciously healthy. I love it. It focuses on whole foods — which I am ALL ABOUT — and encourages a sensible balance of proteins, complex carbohydrates and fat. Author Tosca Reno suggests simply that each meal should contain a moderate amount of healthy protein. There’s no counting or weighing. It’s all common sense. A VERY DOABLE program. I did own her diet book at one point, but I sold it, because I found all the information and RECIPES I needed in the cookbook AND in her AWESOME NEW RELEASE (which I bought, of course), The Eat-Clean Diet for Family & Kids:

I’ll talk more about this ULTIMATE family cookbook SHOON. For now, back to Reno’s fab quinoa recipe WHICH I adapted, as I always do, to make it just a WEE bit yummier and even more filling. Check it:

QUINOA WITH SUNDRIED TOMATOES

Look how fluffy that quinoa turned out!

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6):

1 tsp best-quality olive oil
8 sundried tomatoes (not oil-packed)
2 minced shallots (I used green onions — is that the same thing?)
1 clove of garlic, minced
2 cups low-sodium, low-fat chicken or vegetable stock (OPTIONAL)
1 cup dry quinoa
Pinch cayenne pepper
2 Tbsp chopped cilantro (OPTIONAL)
1 tsp sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper

About 1 cup of CASHEWS!!!

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Rinse quinoa grains in fine mesh sieve (to remove the bitter saponin layer) until water runs clear (about 1 minute).

2. Heat oil in large saucepan. Add tomatoes, shallots, and garlic. Sauté until shallots are softened. (I used green onions, by the way, so this took very little time).

3. Add stock OR water and bring to a boil.

4. Stir in quinoa and cayenne pepper. Return to boil.

5. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

6. Let stand for 5 minutes, and fluff with a fork.

7. Mix in the seasonings!

8. CHEATY SUGGESTION: Place small handful of cashew pieces (you can break them up individually — very easy) in each dish for an extra CRUNCH and an extra filling PROTEIN PUNCH. YUMMMM!

9. Enjoy! And, let us know how you liked it in the comments (which are now working again thanks to my GORG designer — YAY!).