A lot of times our dinner is just Simple and easy like this!
We of course have a big green salad along with it!
Everyone likes it, is well fed and happy......
And I'm happy because I know they are also getting NOURISHED!
Quinoa is one of the very few grains that is alkaline!
It also contains a nearly perfect balance of the 8 essential amino acids,
which makes it a complete protein!
We found pairing it with potatoes that are pan fried,
gives us a good mixture of carbs, and fats with our protein.
PERFECT!
Here's how I do it!Pan Fried Potatoes
Coconut oil or olive oil, enough to coat potatoes well (coconut oil is best to fry with)
Seasonings to taste, salt, pepper, garlic, basil, etc.
In large frying pan (my favorite is a WELL seasoned cast iron skillet, sticks more then non-stick but is better for you) heat oil. Add the potatoes and seasonings cook on a fairly high heat turning frequently until browned and kind of crisp on the outside and soft in the middle.
Quinoa and Steamed Veggies
4 cups Water
Favorite fresh or frozen veggie mix
This is just plain Quinoa and I cook it like rice in my rice cooker. If you don't have a rice cooker you can cook it on the stove top like you would rice (you just have to watch it so it doesn't boil over) it takes less then 20 minutes to cook! For the veggies when I remember I place them in the steamer basket of my rice cooker and steam them while they Quinoa is cooking a lot of times I forget so then I just seam them on the stove. After the Veggies are Steamed I add some coconut oil and salt and pepper. Then we just put everything on our plates. I don't usually even bother to season the Quinoa although I want to figure out some fun ways to do that. We usually will put either coconut oil and salt and pepper or my Homemade Ranch on it! Give it a try you will love it!
This is the Rice Cooker
I have I love it!It's stainless steal and cooks most any grain perfectly!
It's not too big but not too small and has a cool steamer basket, also stainless!
We had this for dinner! So good! Tammy saves dinner again!
ReplyDeletethe rice cooker didn't show up on your post--can you provide a link? also, how do you deal with the slightly bitter, soapy taste of quinoa? do you soak it ahead of time?
ReplyDeletemegandjon: I placed a link below the picture let me know if it doesn't work.
ReplyDeleteI guess we actually like the slightly bitter, soapy taste because I never do rinse it or soak. But from what I understand to soak and or rinse it really good removes that slightly bitter taste.
Hi tammie! I am pregnant with my third child and eating a healthy diet is brand new to me! With my first two I ate whatever I wanted. Now though I am trying to eat healthy and less animal products, the only problem is I am worried about getting enough protein. Are there any of your meals or suggestions you can give me that are high in protein without animal products? I hear that you need to get about 75 -100 grams per day while pregnant:/ This seems a bit a hard to accomplish on a raw or even cooked vegan diet. Suggestions? Thanks!!
ReplyDeletehomebirthmomma: I don't want to discount the importance of plenty of good protein when pregnant because it is important. But I have found that for the most part it is over pushed and somewhat of a marketing strategy. I don't think we need as much protein as we are told we do. Also if it comes from plants it is better absorbed so again we don't need as much because our body uses it more effectively. There is quite a bit written about it.
ReplyDeleteAnything with beans, nuts, seeds, greens and whole grains is going to have plenty of protein. Lentils are excellent try my crock pot sloppy joes and/or French Lentil Soup.
If you feel you just need a little more, especially while pregnant I would probably try Sunwarrior's Raw Vegan Protein Powder it's made with brown rice. It would be a easy good way to get extra protein. I prefer the Vanilla kind. There is a Link icon to Sunwarrior in my sidebar.