Cheaper by the Book: Genius Week 4: I Quinoa Believe How Good This Tastes!

For Mr. M and P:
THIS IS AN EXTRA BLOG POST (TECHNICALLY THE FIFTH). MY SIXTH OFFICIAL BLOG POST WILL BE THE ONE AFTER THE TED TALK. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MY FOURTH BLOG POST (THAT IS DUE BEFORE PRESENTATIONS), IT IS BELOW AND ABOUT PIZZA. ~Thank you

You ready for a really brief post? Here goes...

*******Just a heads up, "quinoa" is pronounced "keen-wah" (and no, it is not a fish, Ben Affleck).

Updated Timeline:

Week 0: Intro to Modernist Cuisine
~~Week 1: Blanching~~

~~Week 2: Sous Vide~~

~~Week 3: Steel-Plate Cooking~~

~~Week 4: Pressure Cook~~
Week 5: Create My Own Dish

The Original Recipe of the Pistachio Pesto

The Original Recipe of the Quinoa

Quinoa with Pistachio Pesto and Asparagus

❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦
********************************************************************************************************

Wash the quinoa and set it nearby to let it dry.
Slice the asparagus into thin pieces.
Sautee the asparagus in butter (amount of butter is up to you).
After five minutes, the asparagus is done and ready to be served.
In the meantime, cook the quinoa in a pressure cooker for five minutes (pre-pressurizing will take 15-20 minutes).
Serve with the pistachio pesto and asparagus!

Pistachio Pesto

❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦❦
********************************************************************************************************

Gather basil leaves, chives, cilantro leaves, scallions (green parts; 2 inch pieces), and baby spinach (refer to amounts in the original recipe; you can just eyeball it).
Set a pot of water to boil and prepare an ice bath.
When it boils, submerge the greens listed in Step 1 for 1 minute.
Then place the greens into the ice bath.
After five minutes, dry the greens (using your hands to squeeze out excess water) and place them in a food blender.
Boil 3 garlic cloves for a few minutes, then place those in the food blender.
Add 3/4 cup of cheese, 1/2 cup of pistachios, 1 lemon, and 1/2 cup of olive oil.
Puree until smooth.
Refrigerate for 1 hour before using.