Making It Up as I Go Along

This is generally my cooking motto, and it was in full force today.  I needed to make some kind of starch for dinner with friends and didn't want to go back out to the store.  (I'd worked overnight last night so I was feeling a little tired...) So I looked in my pantry, spent a little time on line, and came up with this:

Chick Pea and Amaranth Salad

1 cup amaranth

2 cups vegetable stock

1 can chick peas

1 can artichoke hearts

1 can diced tomatoes (with the liquid)

1/3 cup chopped pecans

2 large sprigs of fresh mint

3 scallions

1 garlic scape

balsamic vinegar

pepper

The amaranth was cooked in the stock by bringing it to a boil, covering it and letting it simmer until done, about 20-25 minutes.  I chopped the artichoke hearts, mixed them with the tomatoes and chick peas, then added minced garlic scape and sliced scallions.  I added the mint, all chopped up, and the pecans and the pepper.  When the amaranth was cool enough I stirred it in and drizzled the top with balsamic vinegar.  

And you know what?  It tastes great!