Quinoa with Spinach and cheese

By emtoothfxr

Biggest Loser side dish; one serving = 3/4 cup

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup diced celery
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 2 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth
• 2 cups chopped spinach or kale or Swiss chard
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1

In a saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook for about 5 minutes, or until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and quinoa and cook for about 1 minute longer, stirring occasionally. Do not brown the garlic. Add the broth and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 12 minutes; the mixture will be brothy and the quinoa almost done. Stir in the spinach and mushrooms and simmer for 2 minutes longer, or until the quinoa grains have turned from white to transparent. Add the cheese. Season with the salt and pepper. Serve hot.