Recipes!

I've got it! I start by sharing recipes! I like to cook...I often come up with my own recipes...and lately I have been slacking in that department so it gives me an excuse to try to cook at home more often!

First up, I will share with you a very easy, very nutritious vegan meal that I came up with the other night. Normally, I don't like to use so many packaged ingredients, but I was cooking with what we had at home...and the cupboard is bare, folks!

Quinoa with Okra:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 package of Kroger frozen okra (can't remember how much it was)
1 can diced tomatoes (14oz)
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Prepare quinoa by placing 1 cup of quinoa into 2 cups of boiling water. Reduce to simmer. Add a pinch of salt to taste. Cover and simmer for about 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Top off with olive oil...as much as desired...and mix in. I always have a hard time not burning the bottom layer so I make a little more to account for this. While the quinoa is cooking, bring one can of diced tomatoes with half a can of water to a boil. Add the entire bag of frozen okra and boil for 8 to 10 minutes until okra is tender. Add pepper to taste.

Scoop about 1/2 cup quinoa into bowl and top with as much okra and tomatoes as desired and enjoy!

See? Super easy! For those of you who don't know, quinoa (pronounced KEEN-WAAH) is a super healthy and protein-packed seed...type thing...grain? It looks like little beige poppy seeds. It doesn't have a ton of flavor on it's own, but use it in place of rice and pasta for a very healthy alternative. You can also add stuff to it, much like rice, pasta and couscous, to make it more flavorful.

Enjoy!