ombre & quinoa ...

jeweled quinoa on a bed of ombre romaine lettuce [ serves 4-6 ]

romaine lettuce        1 good size stalk washed and dried
quinoa                     3 cups [rinsed with cold water until clean] by the way a great source of protein
olive oil                   3 tbsp. oil curry powder 2-3 tsp
chicken broth           3 1/2 cups of warm chicken broth or [ water and add 1 tbsp. salt ]
green onions            3 - 4 green onions chopped white and green part
olive oil                    2  tablespoons
almonds                   1/2 cup chopped or flaked almonds
cranberries*             1/2 cup chopped dried cranberries i used orange flavored cranberries [trader joe's]  

*currents are a great substitute to get the orange flavor add the zest of 1-2 oranges


step 1

heat 3 tbsp. of oil in a medium sized saucepan add 3 cups quinoa, stir over medium heat until slightly browned add warm chicken broth [ or same amount of water with 1 tbsp. salt ] with curry powder. crank up heat, bring to a boil, immediately cover saucepan turn down heat and let sit for approximately 20 min.

step 2
in the meantime chop green onions, almonds and cranberries

step 3
in a big bowl mix quinoa with 2 tbsp. olive oil and all chopped ingredients from step 2 place washed lettuce leaves on plate or platter spoon jeweled quinoa onto romaine lettuce leaves and ......enjoy!!!