Who said grain free had to be bland & tasteless?

My husband works the graveyard shift so we often have 'dinner' for breakfast this morning was no different, and my hubby graciously fixed everything by himself....what a guy!  We had steak, sauteed mushrooms (yummy), steamed broccoli w/cheese sauce, and garden salad w/homemade dressings.

We made Homemade Barbeque Sauce yesterday without sugar, it turned out really good, so tonight for dinner we are having:

Barbeque Chicken
Quinoa Pilaf
Steamed Veggies
Garden Salad w/homemade dressing

This was my first time cooking with Quinoa and eating it, it turned out really good, I didn't have a green onion or almonds so I substituted a little dried chopped onion and that worked well.  It really tasted good especially since we can't have Rice or Pasta (grains).  This new way of eating is teaching us how to flavor/season our foods a lot better.  Which is exciting and fun.  I don't know who is having more fun, Rob or I.  It's great trying new recipes and substituting things so we can have them.


 QUINOA PILAF
1/2 cup carrot, diced                             6  cups quinoa, cooked (basic recipe)
1/2 cup green onion, diced                   1/4  cup olive oil
1/4 cup celery,  diced                            2  cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup green pepper, diced                    1  cup almonds, sliced
1/4 cup sweet red pepper, diced           1/4  tsp oregano
salt to taste

Sauté chopped vegetables in olive oil until clear, yet crisp: stir in oregano. Add sautéed vegetables to cooked, hot quinoa, mixing well. Add salt to taste. Dry-roast almonds in heavy skillet until lightly golden. Add almonds and mix. Serves 6-8. Quinoa pilaf served as a side dish with fish or chicken is delicious. Vary the pilaf using your favorite vegetables, or by cooking the quinoa in chicken, fish or vegetable stock instead of water.