Recipe du Jour - Sunchoke Pilaf

Sunchokes, chickpeas, green peas, onion, and quinoa make a healthy vegetarian grain dish. This is a delightful change from rice as a side dish. You may substitute chicken broth for vegetable broth for a richer flavor if you are not vegetarian. Ingredients:

-1/2 cup quinoa
-2 Tablespoons extra virgin, organic canola oil
-1/2 cup chopped onion
-1-1/4 cup vegetable (or chicken) broth
-3/4 cup chickpeas, cooked or canned, (drained and rinsed)
-1 cup peeled, chopped sunchokes
-1/2 cup peas, fresh or frozen
-1/4 teaspoon pepper (optional)

Preparation: Place the quinoa in a large bowl; fill with cold water. Pour into a strainer, then return the quinoa to the bowl and rinse 4 times more. Drain well.

Heat the oil in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the rinsed quinoa and cook, stirring, until it cracks and pops, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until the onion is soft.

Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil over high heat. Add the chickpeas, sunchokes, peas, and pepper (optional), and return to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings