Quinoa Chowder

New Year and that means-- new recipes! Something I have been wanting to try and make is quinoa. Everyone talks about how it is a "super food" so I was willing to give it a try. I found a recipe and didn't follow it exactly right (oops! :) ) but it turned out really great and didn't take very long. Here it goes:

Quinoa Chowder with Spinach, Feta, and Scallions

3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed well in a fine sieve (I used a tea leaf filter)

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 jalapeno chile, seeded and finely diced (I used dehydrated ones b/c there weren't any fresh chiles- I put way too many in the soup! Stick with 1 or 2)

1 tsp. ground cumin or to taste

Salt and freshly milled pepper

1/2 pound boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

1 bunch scallions, including an inch of the greens, thinly sliced into rounds

3 cups finely sliced spinach leaves (I didn't use any- just don't like wilting greens in soups :)

1/4 pound feta cheese, finely diced

1/3 cup chopped cilantro (I used more than that for sure b/c I love cilantro!)

1 hard-boiled egg, chopped

Put the quinoa and 2 quarts in a pot, bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. While it's cooking, dice the vegetables and cheese. Drain, saving he liquid. Measure the liquid and add water to make 6 cups if needed.

Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the garlic and chile. Cook for 30 seconds, giving it a quick stir. Add the cumin, salt, and potatoes, cook for a few minutes, stirring frequently. Don't let the garlic brown. (confession- I just put all the water oil etc in a pot and boiled with potatoes for 15 minutes) Add the quinoa, spinach, and remaining scallions and simmer for 3 minutes more. Turn off the heat and stir in the feta and cilantro. Season the soup with pepper and garnish with the chopped egg.