Eating Veggie - Recipe #1

Just as I am embarking on this journey and trying to figure out what the heck to eat to help keep me feeling good, Yahoo goes and posts an article on the benefits on quinoa.

I already really like quinoa, but I can never find the perfect recipe. It's right next to couscous at Trader Joe's, but it works differently in foods. I try to swap them out all the time, but the quinoa is never perfect.

The best part of this article is the vanilla quinoa pudding. I just copied the receipe from the Yahoo link, but here it is:

Vanilla Quinoa Pudding
Quinoa in this application results in a cross between rice pudding and tapioca, with more protein than either.

• 3 cups whole milk (works well with soy or nut milk for a vegan version)
• 1 vanilla bean (split, or 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract)
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup quinoa

Rinse quinoa. Mix milk, vanilla, maple syrup and salt in a saucepan and set on simmer. Add quinoa and cook for 30 minutes, stirring frequently (but not constantly).Once thickened, remove from heat and allow to cool. Serve warm, or refrigerate. Top with all kinds of delicious tidbits; berries, dried fruit, nuts, nutmeg, brown sugar, etc.

The Verdict: It was really good just off the stove top. It had an amazing vanilla aroma and a creamy white color like tapioca pudding. Of course, the serving size was what  I would eat in a week so I stored it in the fridge. It does not taste as good a few days later and the beautiful aroma was gone. But I still think it's a great for a sweet tooth and post work out.

Nutrition Facts (using vanilla extract and soy milk):
- Total Cal: 1136 cal
- Fat: 22.55 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Carbs: 187

Just don't eat it all at once...