Shrimp & Cherry Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), hailed as the 'super-grain of the future', contains more protein than any other grain, and is considered a complete protein because it contains all eight essential amino acids.

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 (14-ounce) can chicken broth
1 cup quinoa, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped Anaheim pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 cups pitted Northwest fresh sweet cherries
8 ounces small cooked peeled shrimp
1/4 cup chopped parsley
Salsa (optional)

Cooking Directions:

1. Sauté onion and garlic in oil; add broth, quinoa, Anaheim pepper, salt and ground pepper. Bring mixture to boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer 12 to 18 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed.
2. Fluff mixture with a fork and gently stir in cherries, shrimp and parsley. Serve with salsa, if desired.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/6 of recipe): 215 Cal., 13.1 g pro., 5.5 g fat (23% Cal. from fat), 29.5 g carb., 74 mg chol., 3.3 g fiber, 596 mg sodium.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy Washington State Fruit Commission.