It's Fair

I rarely turn down the offer of a free meal but I did on May 14. I got an email from the folks at Fair Trade USA inviting me to a brunch to promote Fair Trade Day. I declined because I had already planned a road trip. They were kind enough to send over a selection of products for me to create a breakfast recipe for my blog. In the box there was a container of LaYapa Golden Royal Quinoa from Bolivia. I had heard about quinoa but had never tasted it. I did the Google thing and looked at recipes but I finally decided on using my Meyer Lemon, shallot vinaigrette to mix into the cooked quinoa. The quinoa cooks just like rice and has nutty aroma and a texture akin to a cross of brown rice and couscous. I threw on cherry tomatoes and sliced green onion. If I had asparagus or peas that would have been a great addition. I know it seems a stretch for breakfast but trust me, it's perfectly addictive hot or cold.

Fair Trade Quinoa Breakfast

Rather than try to explain about Fair Trade I will direct you to their website where this non- profit explains their goals in "What is Fair Trade?"

Recipe
Cook Quinoa per package instructions and allow to cool.
Add Meyer Lemon dressing
Dressing is made by finely chopping one large shallot and adding juice of one large Meyer lemon juice(if Meyers are not available combine half lemon and sweet orange juice.)
Add olive oil (three times the amount of lemon juice), salt and pepper to taste.
Add available vegetables.