Quinoa with Pine Nuts and Spinach

Quinoa is a delicious little grain, packed with protein and wholesome goodness. Healthy food doesn't have to be bland or yucky, it can be delicious and addictive! It's just about how you make it...
Here is my favorite quinoa side dish, with some other tips and suggestions at the end for other ways to spice it up!

Serves 2


Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups packed fresh spinach
• 1/4 cup pine nuts, raw
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Place the pine nuts on a baking sheet and set aside. 
2. Rinse the quinoa then add it with the water to a small pot and bring to a full boil. Cover with a lid, turn the heat to low and let it cook for 15 minutes. 
3. Place the pine nuts in the center of the oven, and toast them for 10 minutes, shaking them halfway through to ensure even toasting. 
4. Meanwhile, chop the spinach and mince the garlic. Saute them in a medium skillet over low heat so that the spinach wilts and the garlic gets fairly translucent. 
5. Once the quinoa is finished cooking, mix it into the spinach and garlic mixture. Add the toasted pine nuts and lemon juice to the quinoa mix, toss to combine, and serve.  Serve with salt and pepper so each person can season to taste.

Enjoy!

Tips and Suggestions:
-You will know that the quinoa is done cooking when the little germ thread detaches from the grain.
-Be sure to rinse your quinoa! It has a natural bitter coating so rinsing it will ensure that your dish does not taste off!
-Quinoa is great topped with salsa, soy sauce, chopped herbs, toasted nuts, pesto, lemon juice, raisins, cream cheese dips, anything! My personal favorite is the recipe posted above because it goes with pretty much any cuisine with a little tweaking in the spice department.
-Quinoa has a bit of crunch to it, so simply seasoning it with your favorite spices can be delicious and easy, too!