Why quinoa in summer? It's a quick cooking whole grain that will give you a complex carbohydrate and a complete protein all in one dish. Check out my favorite recipe.
Brown Rice with Vegetables and Beans
Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate so it digests more slowly than white and is therefore a better choice nutritionally.
3 cups cooked brown rice prepared in advance
2 T. olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup green peas (frozen or fresh) 1 cup chopped mushrooms
1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper
In a skillet over medium low heat, warm olive oil. Cook chopped onion and green peas and mushrooms in oil for 4 minutes. Add rice, salt and pepper; cook until hot and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of lemon for flavor. Serves 4.
If you want to have a meatless meal and still have more protein, add 1 can of rinsed cooked beans of your choice to the ingredients.
A complimentary side dish of steamed broccoli completes the meal.
Millet with Spicy Tomato Sauce
1 cup millet grains 1 t. salt
3 cups water
- Combine millet, salt, and water in a 2-quart (2 liter) saucepan.
- Cover, and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn heat down to low and steam for 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat, and set aside for 15 minutes without lifting lid.
Tomato Sauce
2 lbs. Roma plum tomatoes, chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped
2 to 3 dashes ground cinnamon 1 or 2 dashes ground cloves
1 t. ground cumin 1/2 t. chili powder
1/2 to 1 t. salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
Garnish
1 T. chopped fresh chives, basil, or thyme 2 T. toasted pumpkin seeds
- Combine tomato sauce ingredients in a large skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until soft and broken down, about 12 to 15 minutes.
- To Serve: Spoon millet into a large bowl or casserole. Ladle some of the tomato sauce over the top.
- Garnish with fresh herbs and pumpkin seeds, and serve remainder of the sauce at the table. Serves 4 to 6.