“cheesy” chickpea quinoa and spinach

Can I just be (maybe) the only person out there who doesn’t like New Year’s Resolutions? For the majority of my life, I haven’t made them. There’s a reason behind this madness you see. I’m bad at following through. ::gasp:: I know, I know… you may think I’m lying, but you don’t see the full picture.

I’ll finish that… tomorrow.

I’ll wash the floors… tomorrow.

That purse that has been sitting on the kitchen table for a month? Tomorrow.

It’s not that I’m like that all the time – mainly when someone asks something of me. It must be my incessantness (read: stubbornness) to accomplish tasks in my own good time that has molded me that way.

I have a good feeling about 2011 though. Okay, let’s be real here: I have a good feeling about all years. However, it’s finally time for me to start following through on what I say I will do… maybe.

What I do know is I promised you a recipe two days ago.

I also know you’ve been glued to your computer screen waiting for the update of a certain website (read: mine) for the last 48 hours in anticipation of said recipe.

I’m so sorry it took so long.

“Cheesy” Chickpea Quinoa and Spinach (serves 2 really hungry people)

• 1 cup quinoa, uncooked
• 1.5 cups water
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 tbsp. nutritional yeast
• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 5-6 cups fresh spinach
• 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
• salt, pepper, basil, garlic, and oregano to taste
• chili powder, for garnishing

Directions: Begin by sautéing your onion and garlic in 1 tbsp. of the olive oil in a medium sized saucepan. Stir frequently as no one likes burnt garlic. Once translucent and fragrant, add your uncooked quinoa, water, and vegetable broth. Give it a stir and let the quinoa do it’s amazing liquid absorbing magic (let it cook about 15-20 minutes). Add your nutritional yeast at any time. You can add it with your liquid or more towards the end. Add your chickpeas during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Spice to taste!

While your quinoa is cooking, heat the other tbsp. of olive oil in a medium skillet. Cook your spinach so it is wilted ever so slightly.

Serve the quinoa over the wilted spinach and garnish with a dash of chili powder.

This post, this recipe… it has all inspired me for the better.

I think I might actually make some goals for 2011… tomorrow.

Question: Do you make New Year resolutions? OR Are you more of a “goal” person?

Tagged as: new year goals, new year resolutions, nutritional yeast, quinoa, recipe, spinach