Fluffy Lemon Quinoa

Spices of Life, p. 307

2 cups quinoa

2 ¼ cups good-quality reduced-sodium chicken broth

½ teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Rinse the quinoa in a bowl, using your hand as a rake, with two changes of water. 

It's a hassle, but the quinoa really does taste much better if you do this.

Drain in a colander.

Put the quinoa with the chicken broth and salt in a medium saucepan with a lid. Bring the chicken broth to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes. The quinoa should be tender to the bite. Remove from the heat, uncover, and fluff with a fork. Let cool slightly and then stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Taste for seasoning, adjusting if necessary. Serve warm or at room temperature as a staple dish instead of rice or couscous.

Fluffy indeed!

My Rating: 4/5 "I love simple recipes with simple ingredients that somehow come out with complex flavors. In this case the citrus and the nutty quinoa combine for a really nice effect, and the parsley helps level everything out in the middle. Quinoa's always fun to eat anyway, but this recipe is particularly memorable."