Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Brie-zy Bellas with Spicy Spinach & Quinoa


I'm afraid I can only take credit for adding the spinach and quinoa to this yummy, wholesome meal. The brilliant brie-melting idea came from Becca (of Becca's Cranberry-Almond Kale) via her brother (my dude,) who grilled briezy 'bellas and served them with lobster on our last anniversary (needless to say, he knows how to romance a girl.) This is less exciting meal, I must admit, but it's super easy to make and spans the food pyramid rather nicely. The combination of cheese and quinoa makes it plentifully proteiny; the veggies add to the substantial fiber content of the quinoa, and the spinach packs a powerful punch vitamins A & C.

Ingredients (serves 2):
2 nice big portabella caps
3 ounces of brie (about 3 square inch-cubes)
10 ounces (one bag) of spinach leaves, washed & dried
1-1/2 cups cooked quinoa
4 tsp olive oil
salt, pepper, and plenty of crushed red pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush each of the bellas with 2 teaspoons of olive oil, coating each side with a very thin layer.
2. When the oven is hot, place the mushrooms on a baking sheet with the stems facing down. Bake for about 5 minutes, then pull them out, flip them over and top with brie.
3. Pop the mushrooms back into the oven for about 10 minutes, then turn on the broiler and brown the cheese for 2-3 more minutes.
4. Wash and dry spinach. Sautee until it's mostly wilted, then add the quinoa and stir until everything is nicely mixed and heated. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and plenty of crushed red pepper (if you like heat, this is an essential addition.)

3 comments:

  1. This picture is irresistible when I click to enlarge--that brie melts my heart ;)

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  2. Sorry you won't be with us, when we are with your co-chef and your dude in sunny southern California. Your blog is opening up our culinary universe - bravo.
    Chip and Ellen

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  3. Wow! Just fixed this for dinner tonight, & everybody loved it. Your roasted cherry tomatoes are a perfect accompaniment & all together make a beautiful plate. Thanks!

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