I’m back! Well… hopefully for more than one post a year! Woo wee has it been a year!! Long story short, I completed my first year teaching chemistry, I started a Master’s program, our garden is now over 3000 square feet, and I am now engaged to the maple syrup man 🙂
Putting the busy aside… Not much is being produced in the garden as of yet. We are drowning in sugar snap peas, lettuce, and herbs, but are close to harvesting onions, beans, and tomatoes! I love watching the cabbage fold over and the squash plants blossom – it is just too beautiful! After spending 5+ hours weeding today (we were away for a week and the weeds decided to hold my veggies hostage), a light, yet filling dinner was needed. Enter the filling AND light quinoa! I roasted corn that I froze last year in a 400°F oven with a little evoo and s&p for 15 minutes. I used pre-roasted peppers, grilled chicken thighs, fresh basil, and straight-from-Russia pine nuts. Trust me when I say that a small bowl of this is filling.
Chicken Quinoa and Pine Nuts
3-4 grilled boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
1 cup quinoa cooked according to package
1 1/2 cups roasted corn (or 2 roasted ears)
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 small onion, finely diced
1 pepper, roasted and chopped
bunch of fresh basil, chopped (approx 10 leaves)
crumbled goat cheese
evoo and S&P
The recipe is as easy at is sounds. Cook the quinoa, chicken, and corn (and peppers if using fresh).
Saute onions over medium heat in about 1 tbsp of olive oil. Once translucent, add pine nuts until slightly browned.
Toss all ingredients together, season with salt and pepper, a drizzle of olive oil, and top with crumbled goat cheese.
A Quiet Existence 