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4/8/14 blog post

easy and kid-friendly greek style quinoa

Spring has sprung! Our Happy Box returned to our home at the beginning of March! We were excited to place our empty box outside our door and later that day, a full box of produce appeared! At this time of the year, this community supported agriculture program (CSA) is providing us greenhouse grown produce (green onions, lettuces, sunchokes, fresh spinach) and supplementing with organic produce. Besides excitement of opening our box, our middle son said, “Yes! A mango!”, and our oldest was happy we had berries!

I combined the fresh produce with quinoa to make different dishes. I like whole grain quinoa because this grain is rich in protein and fiber. I incorporate it into the dish as just one more ingredient, along with the fresh vegetables.

Greek style Quinoa

1 ¾ cup chicken broth

1 cup dry quinoa

Fresh spinach or kale (washed; stems removed; add as much as you want since it cooks down – this extra liquid will be soaked into the quinoa)

1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Bring to boil the broth. Stir in the quinoa. Cook (about 10 minutes). Add the fresh spinach or kale at the end of the quinoa boiling to cook the greens slightly. Add 1 Tbsp olive oil. Add the following:

1 diced cucumber (peeled, spoon out seeds, dice; kids can help with this step)

2 diced tomatoes

2-3 green onions, diced

¼-1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Salt, fresh or minced garlic to taste

Add pitted kalamata olives (as much as you would like!)

What fresh produce are you looking for this season to eat with your family? What new recipes have you tried?