Dirty Quinoa

Bob's Red Mill Quinoa has already been rinsed and air dried

place 2 tsp EVOO in a hot skillet and add

1 chopped onion
1 chopped red bell pepper
1 chopped yellow pepper
5 chopped carrots
4 stalks chopped celery

While they are browning, add 1 lb. 98% fat free ground beef (I like ground chuck because my former boss' name was Chuck... I like the poetic beauty of "ground chuck...")
and 2 cups quiona.  Stir over medium heat until the ground beef is cooked through, the veggies are tender and the quiona is toasty

Mix 1 Tablespoon of tomato paste with 1/4 cup of water until the tomato paste is diluted. pour into pan and stir with ingredients.  The quiona will start getting kind of 'sticky'. 

Add seasonings. Usually we like garlic salt, onion powder cumin(lots) and coriander. Use what you like.  It's good with simply salt and pepper...

Add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of water and place lid on skillet and cook until all water is absorbed.  It does not need all the water that is called for in cooking quiona because the toasting helps it cook. 

This is one of our favorite meals.  We usually serve it with green beans or spinach that has been steamed with a little onion.