Recipes Gradient

Pastel de Quinoa

BY Sylvia Klimicek

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups quinoa
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded asiago cheese
1/2 cup milk
1 cup golden raisins
In a 2-quart saucepan rinse the quinoa, drain it, and then add 3 cups of water. Bring the quinoa and water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, uncover and mix in the cup of golden raisins. While the quinoa cools, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a separate bowl, mix the mozzarella and asiago together. Once the quinoa has cooled, mix in the eggs and milk. Add 1/3 of the quinoa mixture to a 3-quart baking dish. Spread the quinoa evenly, and then layer 1/3 of the cheese mixture. Repeat this process two more times with the remaining quinoa and cheese. This results in three layers of quinoa and three layers of cheese. The top layer should be a cheese layer. Bake for 25 minutes or until the top layer of cheese is golden brown. Remove the quinoa from the oven, let it cool thoroughly, and then cut it into squares. Makes 12 servings. Due to the high nutritional value of quinoa, one square of this casserole is very satisfying and easily replaces a meal. I like to wrap each square separately and then put in the freezer in a freezer bag. This makes it convenient to grab one in the morning on my way to work. At work, I can heat it up in the microware and have a healthy and satisfying meal.