Quinoa with Basil & Sweet Potato leaves

This meal doesn't sound too exciting.. but I promise it tastes amazing. Tonight I was craving quinoa and wanted to dress it up with the flavors and warmth of autumn in honor of the first day of September (but still a few weeks away til fall.. and many many more weeks away til any decent fall weather here in Florida...) but anyway this warm grain mixture is also filled with green, garlic, pumpkin seeds, and olive oil. A nice blend of spices makes the meal memorable hours after you've finished eating. It's simple and fast- and I was inspired by ingredients I could just pull from our garden. If you have these fresh ingredients on hand, it won't be difficult at all! Enjoy!

Ingredients:

~2 cups of quinoa (and feel free to add in a mix of another grain as well for a varied look, I added a quick pour of some amaranth)

~handful of fresh spinach or sweet potato leaves (the large leaves that grow on the vine of Sweet Potato plants... packed with nutrients and Vitamins A & C, similar flavor to spinach but less bitter)

~handful of fresh basil

~1-2 chopped garlic cloves

~1 tablespoon of turmeric

~1 tablespoon of a nice mild spice blend, I love 21 Seasoning Salute from Trader Joe's

~¾ cup of nutritional yeast

~½ cup of olive oil

~handful of "Pepitas" (pumpkin seeds)

Directions:

Boil quinoa and other grain of choice in a small pot in water (about enough water to cover the grains and for them to be about ½ inch below the surface). Mix frequently so it doesn't stick to pot or burn. As water starts to evaporate, add garlic and spices and mix well.

Chop up/shred sweet potato leaves and spinach into small pieces. After about 15 minutes when grains are softened, add greens, olive oil, pumpkin seeds and nutritional yeast and stir in well. Allow the mixture to cook on low heat for about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and serve in a large serving bowl. Allow to cool and enjoy!