Cooking Light 3

We found the perfect condo and signed what we thought was the perfect contract. To celebrate we voyaged to our new hood in search of the perfect hamburger. On the way back to the car, we did a walk by of our soon-to-be money suck. There was a woman smoking on one of the back decks. A neighbor! A pal! We said hello and she explained to us how her pipes froze this winter, how the unit next to hers had a ceiling cave in and how loud the footsteps were in the condo upstairs.

We returned to our nice safe rental apartment and panicked. Rooster suggested that perhaps the nursing home down the block was really a crack house. I wondered how we would afford repairs if the roof fell apart. We both wished we had actually read the contract we had signed. Then we read it. There was no clause for faulty structural issues. There was no protection from the developer if something frizzes in the electrical wiring. We panicked for one more hour and then called my mother. After several “it’s only natural to worry,” statements, she gave up. “Relax,” she said. “Nobody’s going to fuck you and then crap on your head.”

And just like childhood, I was out like a light…

COOKING LIGHT "ULTIMATE READER RECIPE CONTEST"

The Rules: Recipes must contain one or more of the following Golden Spoon sponsors’ products-- Beef; California Raisins; Kerrygold Cheese and Butters; or Muir Glen Organic Tomato Products. Silver Spoon sponsor-- Golden Blossom Honey. Each entry must contain a note explaining how you came up with the recipe. Recipes must be lower in fat and calories than traditional recipes.

The Prize: Each category winner receives $5,000. The grand prize winner receives $10,000 and an active family vacation valued at $5,000.

The Entry: Golden Quinoa (notice the art of reshaping based on product requirements)

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped ginger
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
2 1/2 cups water or chicken stock
1 tablespoon Golden Blossom Honey
1 cup California Golden Raisins
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon lemon juice
freshly grated black pepper

1. Rinse quinoa in a fine sieve under cold water until water runs clear.
2. Cook onion in olive oil over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Add ginger and sauté 1 minute. Add quinoa and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, until quinoa is lightly toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Add cinnamon and turmeric and sauté until fragrant.
3. Add raisins, sauté and add water and honey. Cook over moderately low heat, covered, until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed, 12 to 15 minutes.
4. Stir in salt, grated lemon peel, toasted almonds and chopped parsley.
5. Flavor with lemon juice and pepper and serve hot or at room temperature.