One dish... endless possibilities!

Lately I have been in a food mood.  While grocery shopping I have been trying to keep myself limited to the outer edges of the supermarket where the fresh foods are placed.  Aside from pantry essentials, I try not to purchase from the isles.  I have been doing a good job so far but its difficult to resist some of those convenience foods such as Kraft dinner.  I have been trying to make fresh foods everyday for lunch and dinner.  This week has been a good week for food at our house.  Here is a one pan meal with simply endless possibilities!

Quinoa with Italian Sausage & Feta

adapted from www.whatwereeating.com

2/3c quinoa, uncooked (follow package directions to cook)
2 links mild or hot Italian sausage
1tbsp coconut oil (more if needed)
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/4tsp crushed red pepper (or to taste)
1/2tsp dry basil
1/2tsp dry thyme
1/2tsp  dry oregano
3/4c young green and yellow beans
1/2c frozen baby carrots (if using fresh, steam in microwave first)
1/2c button mushrooms, sliced
1c cherry tomatoes
1tbsp balsamic vinegar
1tbsp red whine vinegar
1/4c crumbled feta (I used sheeps milk feta)
freshly cracked pepper and kosher salt to taste.

Cook quinoa to package directions and set aside.  While quinoa cooks, cook the sausage.  Add coconut oil to large saute pan, over medium heat.  Once pan is hot, add sausage links and saute until just cooked through, about 10-15 minutes, turning sausages occasionally.  Once cooked, remove from heat and set aside.  Once cool enough to handle, slice in 1/4" thick slices.
 
Saute, in same pan over medium heat, the onions, carrots, mushrooms and green beans.  Season the veggies with a pinch of salt and pepper.  Saute, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes until beans are crisp-tender and onions are translucent.

Add garlic, tomatoes and dried herbs to the pan.  Saute, stirring often, until tomatoes have just cooked but have not split, about 2-3 minutes.  Deglaze pan with vinegars, making sure to scrape any bits of deliciousness from the bottom of the pan.

Lastly, add the quinoa, sausage slices and crumbled feta.  Toss over medium heat for 1 minute and then remove from heat and taste... adding S&P if necessary.  Serve Hot and enjoy!

This recipe is so very versatile, you can add simply any fresh vegetables or frozen that you happen to have around the house.  There are no limits to what you can use.  Add different vinegars or sauces to change the flavour or use couscous, farro, lentils or a fancy rice instead of quinoa... the options are endless.