Salad Fit for a Quinoa

Queen-oh-ah…Queen-wee-wah…Kan-oh-a.

How in the grain do you pronounce this ingredient, you say?  Yes, we’ve heard you speak all of these iterations and we’ve used them all ourselves at one time or another.  So, we wanted to give you once and for all the most common pronunciation.  (We are not ones to say ‘the correct’ pronunciation, because we don’t really care how you pronounce it ~ we just want you to experience this delicious, nutritious grain-like seed.)

We know that some of our ingredients are awkward to say, and adopting a new way of eating can feel like learning a new language.   For me, this was reminiscent of marrying into the Army life.  The phonetic alphabet is actually pretty cool, but all those acronyms left me confused and on edge.  We’d leave a party and I’d ask Brian if I was privy to classified information about 9/11 or was I being invited to go grocery shopping on post? 

Keen-wah

So there it is.  Quinoa.  A grain-like seed that might as well have its own crown and action figure.  Per heaping handful, it offers 14 g of protein with a balanced set of essential amino acids (making it a complete protein) and is also high in fiber, magnesium, and iron.  Food fit for a Queen. 

We thought you might enjoy as we begin this early summer.  Fresh mint.  Lime juice.  Why, it’s practically a mojito in a bowl.

Ingredients:

1 c dry quinoa

1/4 c organic extra virgin olive oil

Juice from 2 limes

2-3 fresh mint sprigs, leaves removed and chopped

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

Handful of cherry tomatoes, quartered

2 chopped scallions

1 medium cucumber, peeled and diced

1-2 cloves minced garlic

Step 1:  Cook the dry quinoa according to instructions (typically 2 - 2 1/2 cups of water per 1 cup quinoa).  We used our rice cooker.

Step 2:  Combine all ingredients with cooked quinoa in a bowl and toss lightly.

Step 3:  Cover and chill.

The Sharing of Food...

I don't know about your family, but with my large, Catholic, Italian family food is always the centerpiece of any family get together.  Whenever something has happened in the family either celebration or other (or anything for that matter), we always get together at someone's home for a meal.  Since my immediate family and I have gone down this journey of eating a plant based diet, it has made these get togethers a bit more intricate, but still wholesome and nourishing nonetheless.  I suppose I have been very blessed in my life, but I very much enjoy and look forward to family get togethers.  My family has always been very accepting and understanding.  There is just something about 'breaking bread' to celebrate or soothe with one another that is good for the soul.

Perhaps I am a bit of a romantic, but I think these get togethers are critical for the family unit as they allow people to establish and reinvigorate loving relationships.  Is the food just a by product of these meetings - I mean we all have to eat so the gathering is usually around meal time - OR - is the food and the sharing of food central to the get together itself?  I tend to think that the sharing of food with others is akin to sharing a part of us, especially when we have lovingly prepared or even purchased the food.  What could we share with each other that is closer than something that gets put into our bodies?  I tend to think that my wife and I are both outgoing and gregarious people.  The sharing of food with others is our excuse to visit with and really get to know someone else.  I find most people to be simply fascinating....

The other night my wife and I were out to dinner and thoroughly enjoying ourselves.  After having a wonderful meal, it came time for dessert.  Now since my wife and I don't get out much (having a two daughters ages 4 and 2 at home keeps us pretty busy, plus we like to spend time with them), we will usually imbibe in dessert.  If you have been following us at all then you know that I am a BIG fan of chocolate.  I mean I really like chocolate.  Not just any chocolate mind you, but the pure dark chocolate, in fact, the darker the better.  The lovely bittersweet taste that just melts, anyway I digress.  SO, this particular restaurant had a flourless chocolate cake.  Now normally, I would jump at this dessert as this is pure decadence for me.  However, I was feeling different that night so we opted for a berry and apple dessert.  It just so happened that the two ladies sitting next to us had ordered the flourless chocolate cake.  Now, we had not spoken to them all night as my wife and I were very engaged in our own conversation.  However, as I stared over at her chocolate cake, we made eye contact.  I immediately said, "I'm sorry, I was just staring at your chocolate cake as I almost got that myself."  What happened next simply blew me away.  She cut her cake in half and offered it to my wife and I, saying, "Here have a bite."  I sat there and stared for a second and then immediately told her that absolutely not I couldn't take your cake away from you.  She insisted, but we refused just as adamantly.  We both went back to eating, but I continued to be astounded at this woman next to us.  A few minutes later as we were leaving, I went over to her and her friend and said, "You have made my night.  I would have never offered part of my cake to anyone else, let alone a perfect stranger.  Thank you sincerely."  She just smiled and said your welcome.

I left the restaurant both invigorated and yet full of questions.  With my faith in the human race restored, I began to examine my own life.  The sharing of food is really powerful and moving.  Perhaps we are at our highest and best when we are sharing?  While I am still not sure I can bring myself to share my chocolate cake, I know there are others out there who will and that makes me smile.  Thanks for reading.  Peace.