Lemon Quinoa Medley

For those of you who do not know, quinoa is a grain that is being dubbed as the super-food of the future. I have been hesitant to try it out for some odd reason but I decided to go for it and create a recipe with some of my favorite things to ensure it would be edible. Was it ever! I thought there was enough for leftovers but we scarfed every last bit of it. This will definitely become a staple in our house. And for those of you blessed to have a Trader Joe's near by - they sell organic quinoa for MUCH less than anywhere else I have found!

1 cup Quinoa
2 cups Vegetable Broth
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/2 cup Onion, diced
2 cloves Garlic, crushed
1/4 cup Carrot, diced
1/4 cup Celery, diced
1/2 cup Bell Pepper (Your favorite color), diced
1/4 cup Slivered Almonds
1/4 cup Golden Raisins
2 tbsp Italian Seasoning
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Bring quinoa, vegetable broth and lemon juice to a boil in a 1.5 quart sauce pan. Reduce to a simmer and cover. Simmer for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a skillet saute onion and garlic for 2 minutes in olive oil. Add vegetables, Italian seasonings, and salt & pepper to taste. Saute an additional 5 minutes. Add almonds and golden raisins and continue to saute for 2 more minutes. Turn off heat.

Add vegetable mixture to cooked quinoa and stir to incorporate. This is hearty enough to be a meal in itself!