Love at First Bite: A Quick Dinner Idea featuring Quinoa Pasta

The first time I had quinoa pasta, it was love at first sight...or perhaps one could say, love at first bite!

It is a mix of quinoa and corn flours and comes in a few different shapes.

I get my supply in the bulk section at Community Food Co-op in Bellingham, though I have seen it sold in boxes at other natural food stores.

 
Quinoa pasta is by far the closest thing to wheat pasta that I have ever eaten.  It doesn't get mushy like rice pasta and it is slightly softer than corn pasta.  My husband really likes it too, so proudly, quinoa pasta is the primary pasta in our house.

This is our favorite way of eating it:

Simple but delicious!

I love this meal because of its versatility: I can use any pasta you like and any vegetables that I am craving.

Throughout the years, we have been inspired by aspects of other pasta dishes and this is what we have come up with.  The options are limitless and each time we make it we have a different product, so may this be but an inspiration to you.

Quinoa Pasta Stir-fry

1. Fill a pot with water and begin the boiling process.  Add pasta when water is boiling and boil about 10 minutes, or until your desired pasta consistency.
2. Stir-fry your favorite vegetables* together in 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-low heat.
   
3. Add your spices and flavorings** of choice. 
4. Before your drain your pasta, add a couple of ladles of  the pasta water to your vegetable mixture.
5. Then you can drain pasta and add to vegetable mixture.
6. Stir together and simmer for 5 minutes.
7. Serve and enjoy!

Notes:
*Our favorite vegetables to use are: bell peppers, mushrooms, grape tomatoes and zucchini. 
**Tonight we used garlic, lemon juice, salt and fresh basil