Cheesy Garlic Quinoa

Mac n' cheese is always a home run. It is delicious and can quickly become the perfect side dish for just about any meal. But for those of you who are trying to be conscious and eat healthier, mac n' cheese may not be an option. Insert quinoa n' cheese. The beauty of this dish is it has rich flavors and can easily substitute for mac n' cheese, but its lacking in the calories and carbs department. Now if a dish has to be lacking in something, carbs is always a good one! If you have that craving for mac n' cheese but don't want to throw your diet off track, try this recipe and I promise you won't even miss the macaroni!

Recipe yields 6 servings

Ingredients
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic
1 cup quinoa
2 cups chicken broth
1 tbsp basil
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a large skillet, heat your olive oil. Mince the garlic and add it to the pan. Toss to coat in the oil and cook for 2 minutes, continuously stirring to prevent the garlic from burning.

Add the quinoa and chicken stock tot he same pan and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 20 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed.

While the quinoa is cooking, shred the cheese into a bowl and set aside.

Once all the chicken stock has been absorbed, the quinoa should look plump and fluffy. Just like this:

Add in the cheese, basil, salt and pepper and give it all a good stir. Add more seasoning to your taste.

Remove to a serving dish and top with additional shredded cheese for presentation. Serve and enjoy!