Seriously, ladies…can you even imagine life before Pinterest? Whoever came up with that whole idea deserves a big ol’ hug & a sloppy kiss on the cheek. I have been introduced to so many delicious recipes, helpful hints, & project ideas that I may not have otherwise discovered. I shamelessly admit that I love it & might have a little bit of an addiction. I take comfort in knowing I’m not alone.
Vegan Quinoa & Sweet Potato Chili
Last week, Aaron spent a couple days in Montreal getting tattooed & on his way back, stopped at Hunger Mountain Co-op in Montpelier, VT…we love that place! He was making a TVP/maple candy run for me (they carry this tvp in bulk that is seriously wonderful.) & decided to grab some quinoa just for the heck of it. I was pretty excited-I haven’t made quinoa since I was working in wilderness therapy & I was ready to dive back in (those of you who spend extended time in the backcountry might relate to my weird adversion to some foods after awhile…) Anyhow, I happened to be on Pinterest that night & thanks to Miss Nicole’s love of all foods delicious & wonderful, this one jumped right out at me.
So, what’s so special about quinoa? Lots! That teeny little whole grain is loaded with fiber, is naturally gluten-free, & is full of high-quality protein. It packs more protein than any other grain, dudes. What’s also super spectacular about quinoa is that it contains a perfect balance of all 8 essential amino acids. You can use it as a breakfast cereal substitute, make pancakes with it, soups, salads, muffins…endless possibilities here, y’all. Tell me…what’s not to love?
I made this last night for dinner & it’s an incredibly easy recipe with common ingredients most of us have in our pantry. I’m forever looking for something to sprinkle cilantro on, since it seems to be the only one of my herbs that continues to grow & thrive. There is a little bit of a zing to it, thanks to the spice of the chili powder, but you can either decrease the amount you put in, or try sprinkling a pinch of two of brown sugar in while it’s cooking. I used a full cup of quinoa & we have plenty of leftovers for tonight.
I’m going to just link you right to the site, since I didn’t alter this in any way, & you should really just check out her website anyhow! She has some great recipes up there-I can’t wait to try more. Thanks, Milk Free Mom!
Vegan Quinoa Sweet Potato Chili
