Coffee and Cardamom

About Cardamom:
Cardamom is a pungent aromatic spice. The fruit of a perennial herb in the ginger family know as Elettaria - commonly called green cardamom, is mostly grown in India. It is perhaps one of the worlds most expensive spices (after saffron and vanilla).  You can find it ground and or in pods in small jars in most grocery stores. If you happen to go to India - bring home a big jar full of the dried pods which contain the black seeds.

Directions:
For one cup of coffee: Grind 3 - 4 pods of cardamom in with coffee beans. (Or add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom to freshly ground coffee.) Put all in a drip maker over your coffee mug, add a tiny pinch of salt and pour in boiled water. Let the liquid filter through completely. Add milk or sweetener if you prefer - or drink black.

Quinoa, Sweet Pea, and Avocado Salad

Serves 4 

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa
2 cups fresh or frozen sweet peas
1 large or 2 small avocado(s)
1 lemon
1/2 orange
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
1 - 2 cloves garlic - crushed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of any type olives 

Directions:
Simmer 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups water for about 10 minutes (all the water should be absorbed), allow to cool. Boil peas, rinse in cold water and, drain in colander. Peel, stone and, slice the avocado and place in a large bowl. Squeeze juice from the lemon and orange into a small mixing bowl then, add the vinegar, garlic, oil and, salt, and blend. Pour this mixture over the avocado then add the cooled quinoa, peas and, olives. Mix lightly. Serve over a bed of baby romaine with fresh ground pepper and shaved lemon peel. Warn your guests if you use olives with pits!