While at school in Washington, I have been privileged to be living in my sorority house which means having a full time chef to cook my meals. I have always loved to cook so I usually buy my own groceries just to be able to make myself a few meals each week when I am feeling up for it but for the most part I really haven't ever been responsible for cooking for myself full time. Not to mention, eating out in Copenhagen is extremely expensive while groceries are very affordable so making meals is much thriftier.
When I went to the grocery store and found my favorite thing in the whole world, quinoa, I immediately thought about making this recipe- or should I say "recipe". I got my inspiration from a salad that I saw on Pinterest that had tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a few other ingredients and then just kinda went from there. The one thing I forgot to grab in the store was red onion which would have added a nice touch to the mix but like I said, there is no exact recipe but rather more of gathering vegetables that you like, adding some quinoa, and mixing with whatever dressing you like.
When I went to the grocery store and found my favorite thing in the whole world, quinoa, I immediately thought about making this recipe- or should I say "recipe". I got my inspiration from a salad that I saw on Pinterest that had tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a few other ingredients and then just kinda went from there. The one thing I forgot to grab in the store was red onion which would have added a nice touch to the mix but like I said, there is no exact recipe but rather more of gathering vegetables that you like, adding some quinoa, and mixing with whatever dressing you like.
"Keen-wah"
Also, for those of you who don't know what quinoa is, it is a seed that you make like you were making rice. Just 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water, bring to a boil, and then simmer for 15 minutes.
I usually make a whole bunch and then keep it in the refrigerator to have for a few days with eggs, to replace pasta, or to mix in to salad.
Quinoa is also a complete protein that is loaded with vitamins and minerals making it very healthy.
And whatever you do, don't let this commercial influence your perception of quinoa. It really is good!
For this salad I used:
Lettuce
Tomatoes
Cucumber
1 cup of precooked quinoa
Pickles
Garbanzo beans
Balsamic Vinegar
Salt/Pepper
Once you have all of the ingredients that you want, it really doesn't get much more complicated than chopping everything up and mixing together in a bowl.
The one problem I had was that I had made a lot and was not planning to eat it right away. However, I knew that adding the lettuce to the mix would make it get soggy so I therefore put some of it in a bowl to have right away and the rest of the chopped lettuce in another bowl to mix in as needed.
Mmmmm Okologiske- that's garbanzo beans to you. Thank goodness for the picture on the can or else I would have been out of luck. I washed, dried, and added the beans to the chopped cucumbers and tomatoes and gave the whole thing a toss.
Quinoa joined the mix as well as our good friends salt and pepper.
Last but definitely not least, I added some balsamic vinegar and gave it once final mixing. I then portioned out a generous helping onto the lettuce and wrapped the rest up to have in the refrigerator for when I needed lunch or a little snack.
#FutureHousewife
Now for the something extra that I like to call, Other Fun Facts About Life in Copenhagen.
First, I finally got a roommate. I was actually getting pretty convinced that there was in fact no Beatrice Stronati showing up to CBS and I was going to have my big double room all to myself. However, on Sunday afternoon, Beatrice from Italy rolled in with just 36 hours to get settled before classes started on Monday. Beatrice is super nice and a clean freak (literally I have come home to her mopping the floor and scrubbing the toilet) but I am not complaining what so ever. I love listening to her talk on the phone in Italian because it just sounds so amazing, I just hope she isn't secretly on the phone with her mom telling her that she has some horrible roommate named Brianne from America.
Second, classes started on Monday with Corporate Finance at 8:00 in the morning. To be honest, I had forgotten what it was like to sit in a classroom and actually have to take notes and pay attention after being on break for so long. It didn't help that classes here are three hours long but I made it through and it being Friday, have made it through my first week of classes at CBS. Besides finance, I am also in Retail Marketing and Sports Economics which both seem like they are going to be interesting and fairly easy.
Third, the weather here is unreal. Can you say snow, snow, and more snow.
First, I finally got a roommate. I was actually getting pretty convinced that there was in fact no Beatrice Stronati showing up to CBS and I was going to have my big double room all to myself. However, on Sunday afternoon, Beatrice from Italy rolled in with just 36 hours to get settled before classes started on Monday. Beatrice is super nice and a clean freak (literally I have come home to her mopping the floor and scrubbing the toilet) but I am not complaining what so ever. I love listening to her talk on the phone in Italian because it just sounds so amazing, I just hope she isn't secretly on the phone with her mom telling her that she has some horrible roommate named Brianne from America.
Second, classes started on Monday with Corporate Finance at 8:00 in the morning. To be honest, I had forgotten what it was like to sit in a classroom and actually have to take notes and pay attention after being on break for so long. It didn't help that classes here are three hours long but I made it through and it being Friday, have made it through my first week of classes at CBS. Besides finance, I am also in Retail Marketing and Sports Economics which both seem like they are going to be interesting and fairly easy.
Third, the weather here is unreal. Can you say snow, snow, and more snow.
It is really a whole different experience having to live in snow but I am getting the hang of it. Basically, it just means putting on three layers under my down coat, adding a scarf, earmuffs, gloves, and snow boots. Then get to class and take five minutes undressing yourself, only to repeat every time you are entering in and out of buildings.
Lastly, I love Copenhagen! Here is small collection of snapshots from the past week. Enjoy.
Lastly, I love Copenhagen! Here is small collection of snapshots from the past week. Enjoy.
A welcome gift from the best boyfriend
European pastries in 7-11
A documentation of last Saturday spent in Lund, Sweden.
Traditional Danish Sandwiches
Just in case you needed a closer look at a pile of delicious roast beef, cheese, mustard, and fried onions.
And I have even managed to make some friends.
Oh, and some old guy in the club who had dance moves like you couldn't imagine.