Quin-whaaaaa????

I have been hearing about this wonder grain, quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) a lot lately.  I see it on menus, I hear my friends rave about it on Facebook and in emails, and I read about it constantly in magazines.  Apparently it is heaven-sent.  And it should be, because a 1-pound bag of it costs $13 bucks.  But I bought it because I just had to see what the fuss was all about.

Here's What I Did: 
I cooked the quinoa as directed on the package.  I then made a lemon vinaigrette, by adding the juice of 1 lemon, salt and pepper and about 1/4 cup of olive oil to a jar and shaking it, as I danced to the Beastie Boys.  I love cooking with the Beastie Boys.  They're my boiiiiiii's!  I then grabbed a handful of basil and parsley and chopped it up.  Then I toasted about 1/4 cup of pecans and chopped them up.  Then I added all of this to a bowl of quinoa and tossed it (add in the vinaigrette a little at a time and taste it...you don't want to overload it).  And I must say...it was delicious.  Very earthy.  Very nutty.  Made me feel like I was eating a really healthy dinner.  And I was, actually.  The texture is sort of like couscous.  It pops when you bite into, which I dig.   

I'm not craving quinoa on a regular basis, but maybe if I had a better recipe, I'd learn to love it more?????  I'm just not doing back flips when I see the word quinoa.  Anyone????  Come on.  I've got reader's all over the world at this point, I'm DYING for one of you to share your delicious recipes!  I'll try anything, if I can find it in Memphis!   

Oh and those of you in Cyprus who read my blog.  I would LOVE to come visit you.  I have an idea...You fly me to your house, and I'll cook for you the entire month that I plan on soaking up your gorgeous island!  Deal??  Have your people call my people!