Cosmic Cashew Kale with Confetti Quinoa

I've grown to love quinoa more and more over the past few years.   It is really easy to digest and loaded with protein.   This dish is from Susan V. over at Fat Free Vegan Kitchen and has been featured all over the web.   It isn't as low fat as most of the dishes I cook because the sauce is cashew based but it is rich, creamy and delicious!   The quinoa cooks up in 15 minutes so it is a great dish to make when you are short on time but needing some comfort food.   I came up with another variation on the sauce that makes it almost completely fat free.   It is not quite as good but almost!

Here is the original recipe:
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/05/cosmic-cashew-kale-and-chickpeas-with-confetti-quinoa.html

Here is my reduced fat version:

I make the quinoa just as directed in Susan's recipe:

Confetti Quinoa

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed very well
• 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
• 2 cups hot vegetable broth
• 1/4 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 2 green onions, green parts only, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized saucepan, toast the damp quinoa for a few minutes until it begins to dry out. Add all remaining ingredients EXCEPT the green onions, cover, and cook on low until all the liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Stir in the green onions and serve hot.

I do the Kale and Chickpeas a little differently:

Cosmic Cashew Kale and Chickpeas

Ingredients

• 1 package Mori-Nu light tofu
• 1 cup non-dairy milk
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
• 1 teaspoon vegetable bouillon or broth powder
• 1 large onion
• 1/2 red bell pepper
• 1 1/2 cups chickpeas (or one 15-ounce can, rinsed and drained)
• 1 bunch kale, central stems removed and leaves thinly sliced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Hot sauce, to taste
• 2 to 4 tablespoons fresh basil, minced

Instructions

1. Crumble the tofu, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, bouillion cube, and nutritional yeast into a blender.  Blend at highest speed until completely smooth and creamy. Set aside until needed.
2. In a large non-stick skillet, cook the onion in a little water until it begins to brown, about 5-7 minutes. Add the red bell pepper and cook for another minute. Add the chickpeas, kale, and two tablespoons water. Cover immediately and reduce heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, until kale is tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the reserved cream sauce, oregano, and salt, black pepper, and hot sauce to taste. Cook, stirring, until sauce thickens. If sauce becomes too thick, add a little water to thin. Add the fresh basil just before serving over Confetti Quinoa.