Following instructions.

I ate a ton of sugar and chocolate yesterday.  But it was all so good!  We had a wonderful and low-key Valentine's together.  Flowers.  Adele.  Home-cooked food (more on that in a minute).  And, of course, dessert.

Now about dinner... I had seen this recipe for mac & cheese using quinoa instead of noodles.  Intrigued, I decided to make it.  It was definitely good but I advise that you follow all the instructions as I may or may not have done.  Revolutionary, I know.  Here's the recipe.

Quinoa Mac & Cheese (easily serves 4):

• 1.5 cups quinoa 
• 1 tbs olive oil
• 2 cups broccoli, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1.5 cups Sharp cheddar plus more for sprinkling, grated
• 1 cup milk (this is where I screwed up)
• 2 eggs
• Panko bread crumbs
• Pinch of salt & a grind of pepper  

Preheat oven to 350F.  Cook quinoa as per package instructions (I simmered mine in 3 cups of water for about 15 minutes).  In a large bowl, combine eggs, cheese, milk, salt and pepper and stir to combine.  In a large saute pan, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add broccoli and cook till tender, 3 to 5 minutes.  Add garlic and cook another 1 minute.  After quinoa has cooked, add in the milk/cheese/egg mixture (side note: I forgot to add the milk and right before I put on the bread crumbs I yelled OH SHIT and added just a half a cup of milk... I thought it looked too liquid-y so I halved the amount of milk it called for... bad idea.  It still came out tasting good but would've been so much more moist and gooey had I followed the instructions).  It WILL be milky at this point (don't panic).  Add the broccoli to the quinoa mixture and stir to combine.  Add the quinoa & broccoli mixture to a greased 8 x 11 glass baking dish.  Sprinkle the remaining cheese and the bread crumbs to the top and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bread crumbs are nicely browned.  Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.  Enjoy.  Share, if you must.

Like I said, make the recipe as stated.  It would've been SO MUCH BETTER if I would've just followed instructions.  Duh.  I'd make it again, though.  It's a healthy twist on an otherwise unhealthy meal.  And there is no picture because it sort of looked like slop coming out of the pan.  But hey, looks aren't everything, right?  Right.   

And that adorable brown box with the red ribbon and the delectable little heart-shaped desserts?  All from Treats.  My absolute favorite bakery.  If you come visit me, we will go.  You'll love it, too.  I promise.