Thrifty Thursday: Homemade Organic Quinoa Soup/Chili

Thursday's Thriftiness - Even before the recession, I was thrifty! My family budgets monthly, assesses finances bi-weekly, and only spend money we have. Additionally, we almost exclusively eat orgnic foods. It's a nutritional, environmental, and practical choice for us, but it's expensive. My hope for Thursdays is to be an outlet for me to share how I keep our organic grocery bill low and/or make financial trade-offs to eat the way I want to eat.

As you know, eating at home saves money. Lots and lots of money. A lot of people don't have the confidence to try to cook at home because they get overwhelmed by directions and ingredients. This soup is easy! And it tastes better than almost any soup you'd order in a restaurant! I promise! So, keep your wallet fat by staying at home to eat dinner! In addition to being affordable and tasty, it's allergy friendly (soy, wheat, gluten, egg, milk, fish, nut, shellfish free) and vegetarian! It's so filling and tasty that even a meat eater won't miss the meat.

This recipe is from my friend Christen. I'm not sure which cookbook it's from of hers.

Quinoa Soup/Chili - Serves 4 big eaters, 6 small eaters

Step One
2 tsp EVOO
1 medium chopped onion*
1 large chopped green bell pepper*
2 cloves minced garlic*
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp sea salt (if you don't have sea salt look up the conversion for table salt; they are not interchangeable)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp cayenne (this can be increased if you like spicy foods)

Step Two
2/3 cup rinsed and drained quinoa* (run it under water until it runs clear; otherwise it will be bitter)

Step Three
1 cup fresh or frozen corn*
2 cups crushed tomatoes*
2 cups water
1 cup rinsed and drained kidney beans*

Heat the oil on medium heat. Add all the ingredients in step one. Cook until softened while stirring some. Add the quinoa and let it toast for a few minutes, stirring a little. When you notice the quinoa is getting a golden brown color, then add all the ingredients in step three. Cover. Bring to a boil on med high heat. Turn heat down to low and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes, stirring every now and then.

Top with grated cheese, sour cream, avocados, etc if desired.

NOTE: * indicates that I used organic ingredients

This soup will wow your family and guests! It's very inexpensive to make, and since it's packed with quinoa it's very nutritious and filling!