what's cooking...thursday

with less than two weeks to vacate our current house, we have embarked on the journey known as getting rid of everything in our refrigerator/pantry/freezer.  this is not a fun journey, but it does encourage a certain amount of creativity in the kitchen.  i took advantage of the beau being out of town on tuesday night and whipped up my own quinoa salad.  it was wonderfully delicious, if i do say so myself.  here's the "recipe":

1/2 cup of quinoa
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup of chicken stock
zest of one lemon
juice of one lemon
1 tsp. dijon mustard
extra-virgin olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
grape tomatoes
steamed broccoli
red grapes
parmesan cheese

bring the chicken stock to a boil.  melt the butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan.  toast the quinoa in the butter for several minutes, until a dark, golden brown.  add the chicken stock to the quinoa, return to a boil, and cook to package directions. 

meanwhile, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, and mustard in a small bowl.  whisk in olive oil until mixture is emulsified and makes a viniagrette. season with salt and pepper to taste. set aside.

halve the grape tomatoes and grapes and put into a large mixing bowl.  chop the broccoli into bite-size piece and add to the bowl.  add the cooked quinoa and the viniagrette and toss.  sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.  enjoy!