When I first discovered the wonderful benefits of ancient grains like quinoa, I immediately set off to try some. Quinoa, a complete protein bursting with antioxidants and vitamins, is the perfect substitute for rice and pasta. Its slightly bland flavor can be vastly improved with a few little tricks. This is one of my absolute favorite quinoa recipes. Baking the grain in marinara sauce with a little bit of cheese on top brings out an amazing flavor and is very easy to do. I like to throw in some veggies, like broccoli, and extra protein, such as chicken breast, to finish off the meal.

Do it yourself:

• ancient grain base: Steam the quinoa on the stovetop (just like rice) before mixing it with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese in a casserole dish. Bake the mixture in the oven at 375 for around 10 minutes or until the cheese is melting and the top layer of quinoa is golden.
• additions: I love to throw broccoli and chicken breast into the casserole dish and bake those as well. Other yummy options with the marinara sauce include green beens, zucchini, or cauliflower. For the protein, turkey meatballs can be a good alternative for chicken breast.