Nourish Your Life

Makes four (4) servings

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Ingredients

2 acorn squash, cut in half, seeded
1 cup water
½ cup quinoa
1 Tablespoon margarine
2 apples, chopped
1 Tablespoon honey
¼ cup dried cranberries
2 Tablespoons walnuts, chopped
½ teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

1. Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove the coating of a bitter substance called saponins.
2. Bring water to a boil
3. Stir in quinoa, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until wall water is absorbed.
4. While quinoa is cooking, place squash halves, cut side down, on a slightly greased or sprayed baking sheet
5. Place in preheated oven and bake for about 30 min
6. While the squash are baking, melt margarine in a large frying pan. Add apples, cook until soft.
7. Stir in honey, cranberries, walnuts, cinnamon and nutmeg and cooked quinoa.
8. Divide mixture between squash halves.
9. Continue baking until squash is tender (about 10-15 min)
10. ENJOY!

Nutrition facts:
1 serving= 240 cal, Protein = 7 grams, Carbs = 45 grams, Fat =9grams

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 large Portobello mushrooms, cleaned
½ cup quinoa
1 cup water, vegetable broth or chicken broth
1 TBL olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup carrot, finely chopped or shredded
½ cup onion, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Rinse quinoa before cooking to remove the coating of a bitter substance called saponins.

Bring water or broth to a boil

Stir in quinoa, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes or until wall water is absorbed.

While quinoa is cooking, heat olive oil in a skillet; on medium-low heat, sauté garlic, onions and carrots until onions are soft. (If heat is too high, the garlic will become bitter.)

Add to cooked quinoa, stirring in gently.

Salt and pepper to taste

Fill Portobello mushrooms with mixture. Pat down gently.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until mushrooms are throughly cooked. Or: try grilling them!

Enjoy!

Variations: Add left over meat, poultry, or fish for a main dish. Add any other vegetables that you enjoy. Top with a small amount of cheese.

Nutrition facts: (based on using water for quinoa)
140 calories; 20 grams carbohydrates; 4.5 grams protein; 4 grams (healthy) fat;
4.5 grams fiber

Serves 4
This is a simple recipe that delivers great taste and great nutrition yet it quick and easy to prepare!

Ingredients

2 cups of any cranberry sauce you enjoy. Choose whole, jellied, relish; homemade or prepared.
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 Tablespoon any kind of nuts

Directions

1.Divide one cup cranberries into four parfait glasses (1/4 cup in each)
2.Layer with two tablespoons quinoa
3.Repeat layers
4.Garnish with nuts

Nutrition facts cannot be calculated as the types of sauces are variable in nutrient content

Ingredients

2 cups cooked quinoa (see basic directions)
10 small cooked red skin potatoes, cubed (about 2 cups)
10 cooked asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ cup grated parmesan or Romano cheese  (I prefer freshly grated )
Salt and pepper, if desired

Directions

1. Mix together potatoes and asparagus.
2. Toss with Olive Oil.
3. Sprinkle with cheese, stirring gently to coat.
4. Stir in quinoa
5. Salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
May be served hot or cold.
Yields 4 main dish servings (about 1 cup each)
Or 8 side dishes (about ½ cup each)

Nutrition Facts:
Serving size-1 cup
Calories = 225  Fat = 4 grams  Carbs = 30 grams  Protein = 10 grams

Variations:

• Add ½-1cup cooked shrimp, chicken, turkey or anything that sounds good to you.