Lemon Quinoa with Peas

There is nothing I love more than making a dish that features simple ingredients, is easy to make and still tastes phenomenal. My dinner from last night would fall into this category. Currently, in typical Ohio fashion, it is cold in dreary in the middle of May. Come on Ohio, throw us a bone! We already survived through the monsoon of April, could you throw a few sunny days our way?

I thought maybe I could channel some sunny weather through cooking a nice light quinoa pilaf. Using a May Bon Appetit recipe as a guide, the dish combines onions, quinoa, fresh lemon juice and zest, chickpeas, peas and chives to form a very tasty, protein packed dish. I also love the 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric which dressed the quinoa in a lovely shade of yellow.

If all those ingredients aren't enough to make your mouth water, then surely a sprinkling of toasted almonds will. I am hooked on toasted nuts...I mean it should be a crime to eat them raw. Toasting makes them taste so good! Especially almonds. All it takes is a quick trip to a 350 degree oven for about 10 minutes and they're good to go.

So if you're trapped in Ohio May misery and are craving a dish that reminds you of bring spring days, I would highly recommend this. Enjoy!

Lemon Quinoa with Peas

1 onion, diced
1/2 t. turmeric
3 cloves garlic, minced
1.5 cups water or vegetable stock
1 can chickpeas, rinsed
1-1.5 cups quinoa
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
Juice and zest of 1 lemon 
2 T. fresh chives, chopped
2 T. toasted slivered almonds
2 T. soft cheese (goat or feta); optional

1. Heat olive oil in medium saucepan. Add onion and cook until soft and translucent. Add garlic and turmeric and cook for 2-3 minutes.
2. Add water/stock and chickpeas. Bring mixture to a boil.
3. Stir in quinoa and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let sit for at least 10 minutes.
4. Once the quinoa has absorbed most of the cooking liquid, stir in pea, chives, lemon juice and zest. Top with toasted almonds and cheese.

What I'm Listening to Today

Your New Twin Sized Bed: Death Cab for Cutie
Your Song: Elton John
Your Wildest Dreams: The Moody Blues-->wow. this music video is quality.