Taste Life Blog

Ingredients:

• White Quinoa
• Fresh Basil Leaves
• Fresh Tomato
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Olive Oil
• Optional seasonings: garlic, salt, pepper

Start with the quinoa. Have two cups of water in a pot and a pour a cup of quinoa in the pot. Bring the water to a boil. Once it is at a boil turn down the heat to low and let the water evaporate for 15-20 minutes.

Dice tomato and dice mozzarella and put into a bowl. Add basil leaves and olive oil. Taste! See what needs to be added, I like salt, pepper, and garlic added to my salad. The amount of tomatoes, mozzarella and basil you use is up to you. I like to use 2 tomatoes, 3 tbs of olive oil, and ¼ cup of diced mozzarella.

Once the water is fully evaporated from the quinoa, take off the heat and let cool. Add the quinoa to the bowl. Taste!

See what needs more, and add it! What matters is what tastes good to you! And then enjoy!

This meal makes for a really great, easy lunch! I like to package mine into multiple different containers and use it for lunch at work during the week.

By Jessica Thome ⋅ College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences ⋅ University of Minnesota

Nutrition – Didactic Program, BS