Update: Barbara has extended the deadline to participate until April 27th!
I don’t normally post on a Saturday, but this is no ordinary Saturday. In a few minutes, I’ll be leaving on a fast train (not a jet plane) to go to Florence, where some 30-odd expats will be getting together just for the heck of it. Some I know but I’ve never met before, while others I haven’t seen in ages.
It’s also a special Saturday because today I am submitting something for LiveStrong with a Taste of Yellow.
Last year I participated with 148 other bloggers for LiveSTRONG with A Taste Of Yellow with Fresh Lemon Pasta with Peas and Mint. This year, Barbara’s organizing LiveStrong with a Taste of Yellow 2008 and I couldn’t not draw some attention to a wonderful cause. Last year I talked about how cancer affected my family, and especially my paternal Italian grandparents.
Make sure you check Barbara’s post, spread the word, or check out the LiveStrong store to get a wristband and make a difference!
This past weekend I went to Fa La Cosa Giusta, a convention in Italy that focuses on “critical consumerism” and many environment-related groups and manufacturers go there and if anything, it’s great to have them all in the same place where you can ask questions and talk to someone if you’re interested.
Being there reminded me that I had some Quinoa at home. Quinoa (KEEN-wah), often being called a “superfood” and indeed it is. There are so many vitamins and protein in those little spirals! They aren’t very popular in Italy but you can find them with a little searching.
I definitely think these little guys count as yellow food for LiveStrong with a Taste of Yellow!
I cooked some up and shredded some ricotta salata, salted ricotta on top which has now become my new comfort food. I’ve seen Quinoa being used savoury or sweet and I can’t wait to continue my relationship with it.
Have you tried Quinoa? What’s your favorite way to eat it?
Here are some quinoa recipes to get you started – Have a great weekend!
- Quinoa Cake with Crystallized Ginger from Serious Eats
- Breakfast Quinoa with Dried Cherries, Raisins, and Pecans from Food Blogga
- Quinoa Pan Bread from Lucullian Delights
- Delicious Big Bowl – Quinoa Recipe from 101 Cookbooks
- Quinoa Vegetable Paella from Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen
- Creamy Coconut Quinoa Pudding from Canela & Comino
This is an ingredient I keep meaning to experiment with a lot more! Have fun in Florence; what a beautiful city.
I love your blog! I am usually a lurker, but I had to comment because of your little trip today. Can I say how jealous I am that you can take a “fast train” and be in Florence? I love Florence and oh how I wish I could be there! Enjoy your day.
I have never tried Quinoa. I will have to check it out.
Hanging out with expats is always fun, hope you have a great time. Thanks so much for linking to my recipe!
Enjoy Florence!! Thanks also for participating in Livestrong with a Taste of Yellow to point out this important cause to us.
I’m a big quinoa fan and love how you have used it in a salad. Thanks for supporting A Taste Of Yellow Sarah. I hope the weekend was fun.
I love quinoa, it has such a beautiful, nutty flavor. I’ve never experimented with it much though, you’ve inspired me! :)
Well, you know I love quinoa, and I can’t wait to try it with ricotta! Thanks for the link too–I appreciate it. :)
I like the way quinoa pops when you bite down on it – like bubble wrap for your mouth. :)