Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa

We've been kind of busy lately. Not really the measurable or incredibly exciting kind of busy-- more like the "I have 2 batches of cookies ready to go in the oven & I'm trying to cook dinner" kind of busy. It's definitely a struggle to feed your family healthy home cooked meals & also eat healthy throughout the day, but that's what I really am loving about quinoa lately.

Sometimes I find it challenging to whip up something to go with the main meal. I don't want something that will steal all the glory, & at the same time, I don't just want to suffer through it. Quinoa's where it's at (although this recipe is pretty glorious, so it could definitely be eaten alone).

Have you tried quinoa? It's one of the trendiest foods out there & it's no surprise as to why. It's filling, it's deliciously roasty, & it's packed with good-for-you nutrients. We've been trying to eat more quinoa lately in place of rice, pasta or bread, because even though we eat mostly brown rice & whole wheat pasta/bread, quinoa is more nutritious. It's packed with fiber & it it's a pretty decent source of protein, as well as iron & potassium. It also takes a little less time to cook than rice, so that's a bonus on those nights that we need something really quick for dinner. It's naturally gluten-free & unlike a lot of other grains or seeds, it tastes great on it's own. 

But then I pack it with melty cheese & broccoli & then it tastes sensational.

If you haven't given quinoa a try, go for it! This recipe will win you over in no time. What are your favorite ways to eat quinoa?

Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa

Ingredients

1 cup quinoa, well rinsed
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
2 cups broccoli, chopped
1 cup cheddar, shredded
salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Bring the quinoa, broth & broccoli to a boil over medium heat, reduce the heat & simmer covered until the broth has been absorbed & the quinoa is tender, about 13-17 minutes. Mix in the cheese, let it melt & season with salt & pepper. Devour.

Recipe taken from closetcooking.com