Quinoa Soup

I’ve been listening to bloggers go on and on about how awesome quinoa is ever since I can remember. I’ve wanted to try it, but I’ve been very put off by it’s high price and I didn’t really have any ideas on how to use it. I knew it looked good, but I didn’t just want to eat a pile of it by itself. When I saw this recipe for Quinoa Soup on Clean Eating Chelsey’s blog. I know you’re just dying for ANOTHER soup recipe, so here it is. And believe me, it’s really good. AND it’s healthy… Quinoa has tons of protein in every serving (perfect for a vegetarian like me)!

(Sorry for all the photos of the same thing – I couldn’t pick my favorites!)

Quinoa Soup (adapted from Clean Eating Chelsey’s recipe)

Ingredients:

1 yellow onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, diced
1 can stewed tomatoes
1/2 cup dry quinoa
2 cups spinach (I used frozen because they raised the price of fresh at Stop&Shop!)
2 cups vegetable broth
3 cups water
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
sprinkle of paprika
salt and pepper

Directions:

In a large stock pot, heat the olive oil and add your garlic, onion, and celery, stirring frequently over medium high heat.
Once the onion is translucent (5 minutes). Add your vegetable broth, water, and tomatoes. Add your spices and stir. After a few minutes, add your spinach and allow it to wilt. Lastly, add your quinoa, lower your heat and simmer for at least 30 minutes before serving… Enjoy!