Quinoa Caprese with tagliatelle from zucchini

Let's combine some great combinations!

Just like tomatoes, basil and mozzarella seem to be made for each other, the combination of zucchini and tomatoes is quite outstanding too!
I used to make the tagliatelle from zucchini dish often for my kids, when they where younger; it was a great way to have them eat veggies without the sour faces. And the nice thing is, it's such a pure dish, it's incredibly easy and absolutely rich in flavour.

 Since I've discovered quinoa, (please say keen-wa!) I can honestly say I fell in love with it. Besides it's tastiness, it's one of the most healthy products on earth. The seeds (it's not a grain!!) where already cultivated in the Andes, 5000 years ago, and formed the basic diet of its inhabitants, the glorious Incas. They considered quinoa as sacred food, a gift from god. They called it "La Chisiya Mama," the mother of all grains.
Quinoa is a complete source of protein, which contain all the essential amino acids that the human body can not produce itself. These amino acids help your body to actually use the proteins you eat.

Quinoa contains a lot of fibre, more than rice, pasta or potatoes and is richer in vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin E and vitamin B, than all other grains.

So.. and there it comes, I thought of combining the great taste of Caprese with quinoa and the zucchini- tomato dish. It worked out wonderfully well, and looked amazing! I used a small form to layer the dish, but if you don't like that, or don't have a form that fits well, please just layer the food on your plate. The colours will do the trick!

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Happy couscous with eggplant and zucchini

Happy couscous with eggplant & zucchini

Oh my, it's incredible what a little sun can do for ones mood! These last few days where amazing. We were caught by surprise when we woke up in the first sunrays of spring. And here in Amsterdam, or actually in the rest of Holland as well, it's funny to see that just everybody decides to go outside and make a pitstop at a terrace at some point. To enjoy a drink or two and have some good conversations. (they always turn out better with some drinks, you know)


But ok, no, i didn't make that pitstop. But happy, i was for sure. I just can't wait for summer to start. The long evenings in the Vondelpark around the corner, the picknicks, the 'mum-i-don't-want-to-go-to-bed-yet-it's-still-light-ousides', staying up late, the kids playing and running in- and out, nice dinners with friends in some gardens and ahh... it's all just too good to be true.
So, to celebrate this victory of sun, some happy couscous on the table, to pre-taste a bit of summer! Cheers!

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