A Perfectly Complete Protein
Summertime Vegetable Quinoa
Summertime Vegetable Quinoa
I’m all about seasonal eating; I like to eat light, clean dishes in the summertime and warm, comfort food during the winter. That means no soups, no stews, and an unusual obsession with lemonade in the summertime. The only exception to this rule is I drink my coffee hot year round. This quinoa is perfect is you’re a seasonal eater like me. Its light, really tasty and low in carbs and fat. The best part is, this dish is harmonious with any protein of your choice (grilled salmon, chicken, ground turkey) or none at all. Well, maybe the best part is that quinoa is a complete protein. That means it contains all 8 amino acids, which is hard to do for a plant-based source. It is also high in fiber, and contains B vitamins and iron. You’ll see when you make this, quinoa has an awesome nutty flavor that you don’t need to mess with too much. Simple is better. Tastes so good and good for you. Here’s the lowdown:
Ingredients:
1 c. of whole grain organic quinoa
2 c. of water
1 whole large tomato, diced
1 1/2 tbsp. evoo
1 small green spicy pepper, diced
3 garlic gloves, minced
2 tbsp. pine nuts or soy nuts
1/3 c. fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 tsp. pink himalayan salt
pinch of ground pepper
Preparation:
Combine quinoa and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 15 minutes. Add tomato. In a different skillet heat evoo over medium heat. Add green pepper, garlic and pine nuts/soy nuts and sauté until green peppers are tender. Add to the quinoa and tomato, and sprinkle with fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. That’s it! So unbelievable easy and delicious. Enjoy, and to your health!
Macros for one out of four servings: 259k cals, 10g fat (1.3g sat, .4g poly, 4.1g mono), 35.5g carbs (4.1g fiber, 4.6g sugar), 7.3g protein, 220.7mg sodium, 200.8mg potassium
References:
Tania Funduk – Fitness and Food Guru
Fadi Malouf – Personal Trainer and Nutritionist
