Improvisation

A while ago I gave my sister a link to this recipe for Quinoa and Black Beans.

She tried it last night and loved it. Ever since she told me I've been craving it myself.

So...it became my dinner tonight.

I improvised a little. Dinner is my biggest meal of the day. I like to eat lighter during the day so I can come home and play in the kitchen.

I used the same basic recipe - except I forgot to add the onions and such as the quinoa was simmering.

Here's our cast of characters:




I only had kidney beans and chicken broth - so I used them instead. I also added jalepeno, corn, broccoli, red, orange and cubanelle pepper, garlic, onion & parsley.

And shrimp.

I love shrimp.

So here's the deal.

I thawed about 6 shrimp and cut each in half. (Trader Joe's - Frozen Uncooked Jumbo Shrimp)

I simmered 1/3 a cup of quinoa in 2/3 a cup of chicken broth according to package directions. I added the cayenne, cumin and chili powder to the broth.

I steamed a bunch of broccoli till tender in just a bit of water in the microwave & set aside.

Then I put about a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet and threw in the peppers, onions and garlic.



Then added the shrimpies.



In the pot where the quinoa simmered I tossed in the broccoli, kidney beans and corn and heated through.

Then I added the shrimp mixture and parsley.



There were so many veggies this gave me three portions.

In the dish...



A few things:

Quinoa is messy. Don't spill it on your black granite floor or you'll never be able to sweep it all up.

Go easy on the spices - especially if you add the jalepeno.

Unless you like spicy things. Then rock on with your bad self.

For dessert:

Chocolate Sorbet



I like to use ramekins to control portion size - especially with things that resemble ice cream.

*note: I was trying to estimate calories in the things I post here - but I'm really not good at it. Along the way I'll add any product links I can so you can get nutritional info. Hope that helps!