Roasted Vegetable Quinoa

Before we started work, I used to cook :-)  Hopefully I can transition into cooking again sometime soon.  In the meantime, I want to share with you this recipe that I MADE UP!  99% of what I make is straight from someone else, so I'm proud of this one.  It all began when I had 2 different families over for dinner in 2 weeks, and both times someone couldn't have gluten.  So naturally, I took one of my favorite pasta recipes (Pasta Primavera by Giada) and took the pasta out :-)  So, maybe this isn't a Jeanette original... oh well!

Anyway, this Roasted Vegetable Quinoa is out of this world good!  I had never cooked with quinoa before.  In fact, I needed help finding it at Whole Foods (I know, showing my ignorance to the "pure food lovers", I hope they enjoyed got a good laugh on me).  If you were like me and have never cooked with quinoa before, I challenge you to try this recipe.  It is delicious, healthy, easy, and beautiful!

Roasted Vegetable Quinoa

- vegetables cut julienne: orange bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, carrots, zucchini, squash, and onion (enough quantity of veggies to fill a large cookie sheet)
- EVOO
- S&P
- Italian seasoning
- 1 cup of quinoa
- 1 cup of vegetable broth
- diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan
- sliced fresh basil (~6 leaves)

1. Cut vegetables julienne style; toss all vegetables except tomatoes with EVOO, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.  Roast at 425 for 25 min (or until carrots are soft to a fork).  Halfway through, give the veggies a good "stir".
2. While vegetables are in the oven, bring vegetable broth to a boil, add quinoa and reduce to simmer.  Cook until liquid is absorbed (about 20 min), stirring occasionally.
3. Combine roasted vegetables, quinoa, diced tomato, parmesan, and basil.  Toss, and season with additional salt to taste.

**serves ~8.  Use whatever veggies you like best.  The roasted carrots are my favorite!  For this dish, I used approximately 2 bell peppers (1 of each color), 2-3 zucchini, 1 squash, 4-5 carrots, and 1 large onion