This was a dinner I threw together the other night, and promised to post the recipe…sorry for the slowness (Sara!).

We picked up some organic white Quinoa at Costco a couple of weeks ago (I know – Costco has cool, healthy ingredients? Who knew?) and I’ve been trying to think of things to do with it that don’t involve me malting it and using it as an ingredient in beer I’m not a huge fan of couscous, so I decided to use it as a substitute in a pilaf, throwing in some fresh herbs from the Edibles garden out back for good measure. It was great!

3 tablespoons salt

1.5 tablespoons sugar

4 x 1-inch-thick pork ribs

1.5 cups warm water

1 cup quinoa

2 cups vegetable stock

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 cloves crushed garlic

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme and basil

1 tablespoon olive oil

Combine the salt, sugar and water in a bowl, combine till dissolved. Put ribs in a bowl or a ziplock and pour the brine over the top. Brine for 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally (i find the ziplock way makes this a LOT easier!)

1/2 tablespoon of olive oil into a pan of the stove on med-high. Throw in onion and garlic till onion is translucent (i love that word!).

Pour in the quinoa, stir through the onion-garlic mixture to coat and then add the stock. Bring to a simmer and then turn the heat down to a lower heat, cover and simmer low for about 20 minutes, or until fluffy. Throw herbs in as well as the other 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Serve hot or cold.

Delicious with a chilled glass of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc or maybe a Saison!