Quinoa has quickly risen to the top of my personal go-to list of cooking ingredients.  Why?

Quinoa cooks fast!  It only takes 15 minutes for fluffy perfection.  This fits my weeknights well.  I like dinner to be on the table within 30 minutes.

Quinoa is a perfect protein.  Although we treat it like a grain, quinoa is actually a seed and contains all 9 amino acids making it a complete protein.  That means it is a suitable substitute for meat and beans, making more meatless meals possible.

Quinoa is versatile.  Served warm with only a simple olive oil and lemon juice, or chilled and dressed up with tons of vegetables in a salad, quinoa is delicious and never disappoints.

Try this recipe that combines lovely, fluffy quinoa with briney feta and salty pistachios.  The cooking video includes some other yummy facts about quinoa.

Quinoa with Feta and Pistachios Cooking Video

Quinoa with Feta and Pistachios Recipe

1 cup rinsed white quinoa
1-1/4 cups boiling water
½ cup chopped flat leaf parsley
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup chopped roasted pistachios
salt & pepper

In a medium pot, bring 1-1/4 cups of water to a boil.  Add 1 cup of rinsed quinoa, stir, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, fluff with a fork and allow to cool.

Place the quinoa in a bowl and add the remaining ingredients.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Optional Adds:  chopped peeled cucumber, kalamata olives, quartered artichoke hearts, halved cherry tomatoes

Did you like cooking with quinoa?  Share your favorite ways of eating this ancient food by commenting below.