Fun fact: you guys were the ones who inspired this post! After posting this meal on my instastories, so many of you requested the recipe. In fact, every time I post food on instastories, people ask for the recipe. You ask and you shall receive, internet friends! Today, I am officially sharing the recipe for my super easy caprese quinoa.

This is actually the first post in a new recipe series called ‘Dinner in 10’. These recipes will be all family friendly, affordable, easy meals with only 10 minutes prep time. Because really, when it comes to making a meal, the only time that matters is prep time, right? The meal prep is the actual work time, while the rest of the time is spent waiting for the stove, oven, or crockpot to finish the job. So, all of these recipes will only require 10 minutes of your time to get your ingredients ready. Sound good?

Super Easy Caprese Quinoa Recipe

Ingredients

quinoa

• 1c quinoa (uncooked)
• 2c water
• 1t organic chicken base (I use Better Than Bouillon)
• 2 smashed garlic cloves
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 2 small zucchini, diced
• 1c chopped kale
• 1t chopped fresh basil
• 8oz mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)**

**if serving children, quarter the balls to prevent choking

vinaigrette

• 1/4c olive oil
• 1/4c balsamic vinegar
• 1T mustard
• 1T coconut palm sugar

Method

• add quinoa, water, organic chicken base, garlic cloves, bay leaf, and cherry tomatoes to pot and simmer 10 minutes
• while that is simmering, chop zucchini and basil
• add zucchini and basil and simmer 5 more minutes, adding more water if necessary
• add vinaigrette ingredients to a small bowl and whisk with fork to combine
• when quinoa and veggies are done cooking, remove bay leaf
• using a wooden spoon, smash all cherry tomatoes to release inner liquid
• stir in kale, mozzarella, and vinaigrette
• cover and set aside for 5 minutes
• serve with a side salad or vegetable

serves 4 adults

Focus on the Nutrients

My approach to cooking is to be light hearted and cook with abandon. I do not believe in counting calories or keeping detailed food journals. That adds stress and makes you feel like you’re not doing something right if you have pizza and salad one night.

It is much easier (and healthier, physically and mentally), to approach cooking in a relaxed manner. The goal of eating is to give your body nutrients so it functions properly. This is especially important if you suffer from any mental health issues.

Did you know that your anxiety could get worse if your central nervous system does not receive the nutrients it needs to operate? Did you also know that part of your immune system is in your gut? So, giving your body the nutrients it requires literally allows you to use food as healing medicine. Pretty cool, right?

So, when people think they have to spend all this time (after an already long day) cooking a veggie packed meal that your kids won’t even eat, and that won’t satisfy their own taste buds and cravings, they abandon healthy eating altogether.

If you just look at the nutrient content of your meals, you will know that you are taking care of you and your family. So what if there is a little cheese mixed in. Focus on the nutrients. 

Nutrient Summary

Nutrient data taken from Self Nutrition Data

So, here is the breakdown of all the nutrients you are getting in this easy caprese quinoa recipe:

quinoa: copper, folate, iron, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc

garlic: vitamin B1, vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, copper, potassium, iron, fiber,  phosphorus, potassium, selenium, zinc

tomatoes: vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, lycopene (antioxidant), beta carotene, calcium, iron, omega 3, omega 6

zucchini: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese selinium

kale: vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper, manganese

basil: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus

olive oil: vitamin E, vitamin K, calcium, potassium

mozzarella: vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin K, folate, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium

I hope you enjoy this easy caprese quinoa recipe! I’ve eaten this for lunch everyday for 2 weeks and I’m still not sick of it. This week, I used carrots instead of zucchini, so feel free to experiment with different veggie varieties!

-Kristen

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