Spanish Style Quinoa

Welcome back, taco Tuesday!  I missed you last week!  You got kinda lost in the rush of Thanksgiving recipes but here you are, old friend!  Ready and willing to kiss and make up.  Ahem.  Is this over the top?  I think not!  You see, I LOVE my taco Tuesday and, while I don't have a new taco recipe for you this week, I DO have a new and exciting side dish to go with your tacos!  Spanish style quinoa!  Think of it as Spanish rice only made with quinoa.  Great texture, great flavor and it comes together in the same amount of time that it takes to make the boxed Spanish rice!  If you have never tried quinoa this would be an excellent way to add it to your repertoire.  Enjoy!

Spanish Style Quinoa (adapted from allrecipes.com)

1 T. extra virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
1 c. uncooked quinoa
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce (I used no salt added)
2 1/2 c. water
1 t. chili powder
1/4 t. garlic powder 
1/4 t. cumin

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat.  Stir in the onion, garlic and green pepper and saute, 5 to 10 minutes, until the onion and green pepper are tender.  Stir in the quinoa and allow to toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the tomato sauce, water, chili powder, garlic powder and cumin and bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is all absorbed.  

4 servings (214 calories each serving) according to my calculator on loseit.com