quinoa pie with butternut squash

Did you know that Quinoa is the only grain that is considered a complete protein?  This means that it offers every "essential" amino acid we as humans need from our diet.  But despite the description I just provided, quinoa is not boring!  It is delicious.  Try this recipe to find out. 

quinoa pie with butternut squash 
serves 8


ingredients
1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
1 butternut squash (about 1 1/2 lbs)
18 fresh sage leaves, plus 1 tsp finely chopped
1/2 onion, cut into 1/4 in dice (about 3/4 c)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 c quinoa
2 c low-sodium vegetable stock
4 oz Parmesan cheese
1 tsp coarse salt (such as sea salt)
1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
cooking spray or pan oil of choice


Preheat oven to 375 F.  Brush 2 baking sheets with 1 tsp oil.  Peel the squash with a vegetable peeler, removing all skin.  Cut the squash in half length-wise, and remove seeds with a spoon.  Beginning at the ends where you removed the seeds, cut five slices (1/4 inch thick each).  This creates a "C" shape.  Cut the slices from both halves, giving you 10 total slices (of halves).  Place the slices on the baking sheets.  Brush with 1 tsp olive oil; sprinkle with 12 sage leaves.  Bake until tender and just golden, 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely.  Keep oven on. 


Heat remaining teaspoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic.  Cook, stirring, until translucent, 3-5 minutes.  Add quinoa and stock; bring to a boil.  Cover; reduce heat.  Simmer until liquid has been absorbed, about 15 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Let stand, covered, 2 minutes.  


Stir together quinoa, dices squash, chopped sage, Parmesan, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.  


Coat a 9 in glass pie plate with cooking spray.  Arrange 6 sage leaves face down in plate; top with squash rings.  Press quinoa mixture on top.  


Bake 20 minutes.  Let cool 5 minutes, then invert onto a serving platter.  Cut into slices (like a pie).  Serve wedges warm or at room temperature.  

couscous, lentil & arugula salad with garlic-dijon vinaigrette

eatingwell.com (see a picture of the salad at this link, too!)

Last year Eating Well magazine did this amazing spread on salads - I got several great recipes from just one article!  This is the first one I am sharing here...more to come.

I love this salad because it is easy, hearty enough for a meal, and the flavors are bright and fresh. 

VINAIGRETTE

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1/2 cup red-wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 4 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

SALAD

• 1 1/4 cups vegetable broth, or water
• 1 cup whole-wheat couscous
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup French green lentils, or brown lentils, rinsed
• 4 cups arugula, any tough stems removed, or mixed salad greens
• 1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 
  

1. To prepare vinaigrette: combine oil, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard and garlic in a blender, a jar with a tight-fitting lid or a medium bowl. Blend, shake or whisk until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
2. To prepare salad: Bring 1 1/4 cups broth (or water) to a boil in a small saucepan. Add couscous, cover, remove from the heat and let stand until the liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.
3. Combine 2 1/2 cups water and lentils in another saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until just tender, 15 to 25 minutes. (Green lentils will be done sooner than brown lentils.) Be careful not to overcook the lentils or they will fall apart in the salad. Drain any excess water and let cool for about 10 minutes.
4. If arugula leaves are large, tear into bite-size pieces. Toss arugula (or greens) with 1/4 cup of the vinaigrette in a large bowl, then divide among 4 large plates. In the same bowl, toss the couscous and lentils with another 1/4 cup vinaigrette; divide the mixture among the plates. Top each salad with cucumber, tomatoes and feta and drizzle each with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette. (Cover and refrigerate the remaining 1 cup vinaigrette for up to 1 week.)