Quinoa mac and cheese

You've seen me say it before -  I love quinoa and this is another great way to make it. I again combined like 20 recipes I found on Pinterest - but the basic idea comes from here. You can use whatever veggies you like, but I included the ones we find to be the most tasty. Sometimes if we have a Banana Pepper from the garden I'll throw it in with the veggies too. I love that this makes a big batch so we can have plenty of leftovers.  This is a great spin on the classic mac and cheese in a much healthier way.  It does take a while to cook top to bottom, so plan ahead.

Quinoa Mac and Cheese

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 leek halved and chopped
• About 3 big carrots chopped
• about 2 cups broccoli cut into bite sized pieces
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 1/2 cup quinoa rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt (I use Lawry's)
• 1 egg
• 1 cup soy milk (I use soy because I try and cut down on my lactose, you can use regular)
• 1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese (plus another 1/2 cup for topping)
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs

1. Heat oil in a pot. Add leeks, cook for about 5 minutes until soft. Then add in broccoli, carrots and other veggies. Cook for about 4 minutes until they start to soften.
2. Add in quinoa and garlic, stir until quinoa starts to turn colors.
3. Add water and seasoned salt. Bring to a boil.
4. Cover and reduce heat to low and simmer until the liquid is absorbed. Because the veggies give off a lot of liquid too, I find this takes about 25 minutes.
5. While that's cooking, combine your egg and soy milk.
6. Also preheat the over to 350 and grease a 9x13 pan (I use Olive oil pam)
7. When quiona is cooked let cool for a few minutes, then fold into milk/egg combo. Mix well, then add in 1 and 1/2 cups cheddar. Mix it all together well.
8. Spread into your 9x13 pan. Tops with more cheese and panko crumbs
9. Cook for about 30 minutes or until the top starts to brown.

**Makes about 6 servings.

*This is a 4 on Bryce's dish scale. I use a lot of bowls when I chop the veggies, plus the pot and the baking pan.