Do you enjoy quinoa?  Our family has been experimenting with quinoa during the past year.   Even though quinoa is considered to be a whole grain, it’s actually a seed.  It was a staple for thousands of years in the Andes region of South America, one of the only crops that the Incas could grow in their region.     Quinoa is the only whole grain that is also a complete protein.   Best of all,  it’s a wonderful convenience food that can be used just like rice.  Quinoa actually cooks faster than rice …takes only 10-15 minutes!  Just use one cup of quinoa and two cups of water or broth…be sure to rinse the quinoa first.  Add a little salt if you wish,  cover and simmer until all the liquid is absorbed.   Want to know more about quinoa?  This is a great article with all the the details you’ll need.

I was talking to a friend yesterday who is on a restricted diet which keeps her from eating meat.  She was telling me that she can’t afford to buy the small packages of quinoa that she finds in the stores.   I told her about the huge bags of Bob’s Red Mill Quinoa that I find at Costco.  A 4 lb. bag of organic quinoa  will last a long time and is much more  affordable than the tiny packages.  Bob’s Red Mill Quinoa is certified organic too.  The instructions on the bag recommend refrigerating or freezing the quinoa to keep it fresh.

Yesterday I was experimenting with quinoa again and came up with this delicious stuffing for avocado.   When the quinoa was just done but still very warm,  I added 1/4 cup of Bella Sun Luci Sun Dried Tomatoes with Italian Basil (julienne-cut),  and one chopped shallot.  After the mixture cooled,  I stirred in one 8 oz. container of lump crab meat, which was on sale at Von’s last week.  You can season it any way you like, but I added just a dash of salt and pepper and some Gourmet Garden chunky garlic.

My husband had already eaten lunch, but wanted to try the Crab and Quinoa Salad, so I put his on top of some fresh greens.

California avocados are at peak season right now.    The jumbo avocados like we enjoy on the ranch are rarely found in stores, but you can order some direct through CaliforniaAvocadosDirect.com.   Look for the Big and Tall Avocado Gift Box!  Now is the time to enjoy these beauties!