Recipe: Creamy Quinoa Risotto With Goat Cheese

Although some may think of it as a "fancy" dish, risotto is also a great comfort food! Rich, creamy, and hearty, risotto lends itself to a wide variety of flavors and ingredients - it's a classic comfort food just waiting to be dressed up by your creative touch! In this healthy twist on classic risotto, quinoa is used instead of rice to create an interesting texture, nutty flavor, and extra-healthy kick, while lemon, white wine and goat cheese tantalize the taste buds for a comforting treat.

Creamy Quinoa Risotto With Goat Cheese

Ingredients: 

1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
1 sweet onion, chopped fine
4 cloves fresh garlic
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
3 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
1 lb fresh spinach
4 oz goat cheese
Parmesan, lemon zest, and parsley for garnish

Directions:

• Rinse quinoa in a metal sieve until water runs clear.
• Spray a skillet with cooking spray and sauté spinach until tender, then set aside.
• Heat olive oil and butter over medium heat, then add onion and sauté until tender.  
• Add garlic and cook for one minute.
• Add wine, quinoa, and cayenne pepper and simmer until wine is almost evaporated, stirring frequently.
• Add enough broth to cover quinoa and cook uncovered over medium low heat for about fifteen minutes.  Add more broth as the liquid absorbs, stirring frequently.  
• Stir in spinach during the last two minutes of cooking time. 
• Remove from heat and stir in 3 ounces of goat cheese and salt and pepper to taste. 
• Sprinkle parsley, Parmesan, lemon zest, and remaining goat cheese over the quinoa and serve immediately.