But as we have gone back-to-school for the new semester it was time to find that rhythm all over again. We were all ready. I have been meal planning during the week for about a year now. It took me a while to make it routine but we now that we have I love it!
To get the kids eating a balanced diet we jointly decided (kids included) on five nights of the week that rotate around depending on our schedule.
- Red Meat
- Chicken or Fish
- Beans, Legumes, Grains or anything we call 'Adventurous Vegetarian' (by kid standard that is)
- Eggs
- Kid Cheesy
'Bean Night' as it's known at home is the biggest challenge of the week. It's my job to try and make things as tasty as possible. It's their job to be open and not to whine when they don't like it. Some days we do better than others. I'm sticking to my guns.
This week I revisited a grain from my past that I love. Quinoa. It has a crunchy, nutty flavour that is delicious. I started eating quinoa when we lived in Quito many years ago. It comes from the Andes in South America. Quinoa is actually a seed. Not only is it high in protein but it makes a complete protein which is fantastic!
Recently on our trip to northern Chile I noted that quinoa was everywhere. They served it in every possible way but my favourite had to be as a risotto. I fell in love and vowed to start cooking with it again this year.
Quinoa Risotto
2 cups quinoa
1/2 of a white onion, finely chopped
a splash of olive oil
6 cups chicken stock (roughly)
Juice of a lemon
Handful of freshly grated Parmesan cheese (no cheese in a can!!)
Simmer the stock. Rinse the quinoa several times to get rid of any bitterness. Then saute it with the onion and olive oil for a few minutes. Gradually ladle the stock into the quinoa adding more stock as it absorbs. Keep stirring and ladling for roughly 15 to 20 minutes. The quinoa will break open and will become soft forming into a risotto consistency. Add the lemon juice and cheese.
I served this this sauteed mushrooms but you can use any vegetables you like.
At the end of dinner Colin looked at me. He wasn't convinced but he doesn't like regular risotto either. (How is that even possible?) And then he said, "Mom next week can we have lentils for bean night?" Victory! ✿ Micheline
