<< Healthy cooking on a budget

By Kayleigh Wade, 17, St. Joseph HS (Lakewood)
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Photos by Jasper Nahid,
15, New Roads School (Santa Monica)


Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is an amazing grain because there’s enough protein that it’s like eating meat. My mom improvised from a recipe in a cookbook and we’ve been making it ever since. Olive oil can be pricey, but it might be in your kitchen. You can get quinoa at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and Fresh and Easy. It’s easy to make, just like rice.
—Kayleigh Wade

Ingredients:
3 cups quinoa
6 cups water
1 1/2 cups of red and green seedless grapes (cut into quarters)
1/2 cup dry-roasted hazelnuts, coarsely chopped (can substitute pecans or almonds)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
This recipe makes 6 servings.
 


Directions:
1
Put the quinoa, water and a dash of salt in a pot and let it boil. Once it boils, cover the pot and put it on low heat. The directions on the bag or box will tell you how long to cook it for. After it’s done, refrigerate the quinoa for about 30 minutes.

2 Mix grapes, hazlenuts and green onion in a medium bowl.

3 In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, sugar and salt. Pour this mixture into the medium bowl.

4 Pour the quinoa over the mix and stir to combine.

Taste-tester said:
“Good. It’s unexpected because I’ve never heard of this or seen it! The grapes add flavor.”
Adrian Rios, 16, South El Monte HS

Other recipes:
Broccoli Puree | Beef Stew | Kimchi and Chicken Stew | Vegetable Fried Rice | Sesame Chicken Salad