Quinoa Chowder With Feta, Spinach, And Scallions

The weather has changed so much here. We've had several days of rain, and It looks like we'll have more soon.  That's not always the case here.  Sometimes, I almost forget what it's like living in the Midwest and South, where rain is a fairly regular occurrence. We never know out here in the West.   I remember years where it didn't rain at all for almost a year (well, it seemed like that). 

This cold, damp weather is just the thing for soup.  And last week I made a soup that may seem odd at first glance. It's Deborah Madison's quinoa chowder with spinach, feta cheese and scallions.  I wanted to make this soup for some time, to see how the ingredients worked together.  Actually, I knew it would taste great because I've NEVER had a bad meal made from a Deborah Madison recipe.  It's uncanny.  But, this soup recipe is different.  Madison herself wondered how it would taste when she first saw a version in another cookbook. Well, it tastes wonderful--fresh and tangy and creamy.  And the quinoa holds up well in the liquid, not becoming soggy like rice or pasta does after being reheated.  This is one of my favorite soups now.  My husband had two big bowls and announced enthusiastically, "That was good soup!"  When he says that, it means the recipe is a winner.  I noticed that Bunnyfoot also cooked a vegan version of this recipe.  Hers includes corn and carrots and is very pretty.  Finally, this is a quick and easy recipe that can serve as a complete meal, something I always appreciate.

Quinoa Chowder With Feta, Spinach, And Scallions   (Deborah Madison)

3/4 cup quinoa, rinsed well in a sieve
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 jalapeno chile, diced and seeded  (or use a teaspoon of crushed red pepper like I did)
1 teaspoon ground cumin  (Or season to taste. I used more because I love cumin)
salt and pepper
1/2 lb. boiling potatoes, cut into 1/4" cubes
7 cups chicken stock
3 cups finely shredded spinach
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced, including about 1 inch of the green part
1/3 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 lb. feta cheese, diced
1 hard boiled egg, chopped

Put the quinoa in 2 quarts stock, bring to a boil and then simmer for 10 minutes.  While the quinoa is cooking, chop your vegetables and cheese.  Drain the quinoa when it's done and reserve the liquid.  You should have about 7 cups of liquid, add more stock if necessary..

Heat the oil in a soup pot over medium heat.  Add the garlic and chile (or chile flakes).  Cook for about 30 seconds, then add the cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and potatoes.  Cook for a few minutes but don't let the garlic brown.  Add the quinoa stock and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 12 minutes.  Add the quinoa, spinach and remaining scallions and simmer for 2 minutes.  Turn off the heat and add the feta and cilantro. Season with pepper and garnish with chopped egg.

Comments

[kristi]

This looks delicious, and the more feta on something, the better. I missed eating it when I was pregnant. Doctors advise against it because of the whole "unpasteurized" thing. Yum!

[coffeepot]

Sher that looks great. I love feta too.

[aria]

((frantically googling quinoa))yum that looks really delish i have to try this quinoa someday, soup looks awesome, i love how you always put something extra atop your soups :):) ps. made the chili yesterday, WOW! followed the recipe to a tee, best chili i ever had...will post about it 1st defrost night for sure!!

[Bea at La Tartine Gourmande]

This sounds delicious indeed. Just the kind of one dish meal, perfect for comfort food. I love the idea of adding quinoa to it! Thanks for this lovely idea!

[cookiecrumb]

That looks like food!
Such a funny recipe, though; sort of "let's bang around in the kitchen and see what we've got, and -- hey this is good!" But yeah, it seems like you can never go wrong with Deborah Madison.

[Jeff]

I just can't get into the "Q"

[gattina]

I never have quinoa, will search on the net and see what it looks like.
Sher, you do like spicy food... I got to think twice when I added the specifed amount of cumin in the chili... but, it flavors the food beautifully!

[Alanna]

What a great combination: bookmark!

[Callipygia]

Sher, this looks so simple yet unique. I can't quite imagine this with the feta but I am going to try this one. Thanks-

[Teresa]

You're right about it looking like an odd little soup. But since I love Deborah Madison's recipes, I'll have to give this one a try.

[sher]

kristi,

Well, this soup is Fetalicious! And the spinach tastes very good too. Yum. Wish I had a bowl now. You go have yourself a big chunk of feta! You deserve it.

Coffeepot,

Yes, it's a wonderful cheese, one of the many reasons I can't give up cheese.

Aria,

I'm soooo glad you liked the chili. That Nigella Lawson has some good recipes! Can't wait to read your post about the chili! I just know the photos will be great.

Bea,

This was very comforting--and tasty. I thought it was such a strange title--"Quinoa chowder". I couldn't understand that. But, it's a great soup.

cookiecrumb,

So true about Deborah Madison. She has an impeccable sense of taste. If it had been anyone else, I would have figured "naw" when I read the recipe. But, since she said it was one of her favorite soups--I knew it would be good.

Jeff,

That's OK Jeff--it means there is more soup for me! :):) Hope Steph's finger is better.

Gattina,

Wow! I'm so happy that people liked the chili! Yes, I really do love cumin. I'm not a big fan of food being hot (from chilis). It hurts my tummy! Quinoa is a grain that tastes soft and a little crunchy. It tastes very good in salads.

Alanna,

Thank you! I liked your white chili recipe and plan to make that.

Callipygia,

Yes, it is a strange sounding recipe! :):) But, how can you go wrong with all that feta? :):)

Theresa,

Isn't that the truth? If Deborah Madison says it's delicious--you know it must be very good!

[Julie]

I have only limited and mostly unsuccesful experience with quinoa which I blame more on me and the recipes I used than quinoa. I've been meaning to try it again and this looks like just the recipe.

[e]

I saw this soup on your blog, then visited Bunnyfoot via your link and decided to combine both of your recipes into something fun for dinner last night. This was the first time I'd used Quinoa and I loved it! I couldn't find fresh corn anywhere near philly so I substituted frozen niblets and about a 1/4 cup of creamed corn and it was awesome. Thanks so much for sharing this great soup!