Quinoa with Shrimp, Sundried Tomatoes, Pesto and Asparagus Tips

By DearGaby, on June 18th, 2009

Quinoa is an amazing food. It is a whole grain that is also a complete protein: meaning that it includes all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa is the seed of the plant (Chenopodium quinoa) which is related to spinach, chard and beets. Quinoa is great staple for vegetarians who need to increse their protein intake. Quinoa has the amino acid lysine, which is essential for tissue growth and repair. Cooked quinoa seeds are fluffy and creamy, yet slightly crunchy with a nutty flavor. In appearance it resembles couscous but is much more nuitritious. I use the light yellow color quinoa in my recipes. However, it comes in a variety of colors such as orange, pink, red, purple or black. Quinoa is cooked very much like long grain rice. You will need to add two parts liquid to one part quinoa. It takes only about 15 minutes or so to cook.

What I like most about this particular recipe is that it can all be made in one pot. That’s right- this recipe is a complete meal in one pot, making cleanup a breeze. I usually serve this during the week when I don’t have as much time to prepare a nuitritious meal.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
2 cups broth or water
2-3 cloves fresh minced garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
8-10 chopped sundried tomatoes
Shrimp (24) cleaned and deveined
12 asparagus tips
1/4 cup fresh pesto
1/4 cup chopped basil
toasted pignoli nuts (pine nuts)
2 green oinions cleand and finley chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Put the olive oil in the pot and heat up over medium heat. Add the garlic and sundried tomatoes. cook for 2 minutes. Add the broth or water and quinoa and cover pot. When liquid comes to a boil reduce the heat to low. Meanwhile, take the pesto and mix in the shrimp and put aside. After about 10 minutes or so of cooking open up the pot and add the shrimp and asparagus tips on top. Add more liquid if needed. Cover. Once the shrimp is done cooking (about 5-8 minutes). Turn off the heat. Add salt, pepper, fresh basil, green onions and pignoli nuts. Mix together and serve immediately. Serves 3-4 people.

About Gabrielle:
Gabrielle Ottavio is certified as an International Image and Style Consultant. She is a member of AICI, which is the leading and largest professional association of personal and corporate image consultants worldwide. She possesses several years consulting experience in the areas of staffing, one on one executive coaching, career couseling and image consulting. Gabrielle is also on the board of ISACA, an international organization comprised of professionals and students, IT Women, and the Fashion Group International, comprised of professionals in the fashion business.