Easy, Healthy and Cheap Quinoa, give it a try!

It's back to school for us here and I'm already thinking ahead to the upcoming months.  That means tightening the 'ol budget a bit more.  Trying to go on less trips (gas is ridiculously expensive these days!), squeeze every last morsel of heat out of the sun (as we know it's only a matter of time until we have to crank up the heat and pay for our Northeast Winters...) and look ahead towards that "holly jolly" time of year.  SO!  I'm on the hunt for healthy, easy and budget friendly meals.  The other day I whipped up this quick & easy meal of veggies and quinoa and it certainly was filling and tasty.  Even if you're a quinoa skeptic, give it a try, it's so good for you and my kids even enjoyed it (the first night, they weren't too keen on the leftovers though.) 

 

1 cup Quinoa, I used Earthly Delights Organic

3 cups water

salt

 

1 green pepper, chopped

3 cloves of chopped garlic

1 onion, sliced

1/2 cup fresh corn (you could substitute frozen too - not this time of year though!)

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon oregano

salt and pepper to taste

 

Rinse the quinoa under cold water and drain.  Then, bring the quinoa, water and a pinch of salt to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium, cover and let simmer for about 20 minutes, until the quinoa is tender.  Then drain and set aside

 

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Stir in garlic and onions for about 3 minutes then add your green peppers and corn.  Continue cooking until peppers and onions get soft and then add your seasonings of cumin, salt, pepper and oregano.  Cook for about 2 more minutes.  Then add the veggies on top of the quinoa and stir, making sure all the veggies are mixed in thoroughly.

This is delicious served hot or cold!  Jeff ate this for a week for lunch - that's one way to save some lunch money ;)

Speaking of lunches, come back Monday for a giveaway that will please you and your kids!