Beef, Potato & Quinoa Soup

I love soup and probably have over 100 recipes I've printed out to try. I found this one over at SkinnyTaste and knew I had to make it vegan. This is my version. It was yummy! Thanks for the recipe Gina.

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 6 scallions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tomato, diced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon Badia Sazon with Annato
• 1 package Gardein Beef(less) beef tips, slightly thawed and cut in half
• 5 cups water
• enough no beef bullion for the water above
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
• 2 tablespoons bell pepper, diced (red, yellow preferred but green will work)
• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 6 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
• salt and pepper to taste

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Set aside.

Heat oil in a large pot, add scallions and garlic and sauté until soft over medium heat, about 3 minutes.

Add tomato, cumin, sazon, 1/4 cup cilantro and cook another 2 minutes.  

Add water, bullion, carrot, bell pepper, potato, salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low about 20 minutes, until veggies are tender.

 
Add cooked quinoa and beef and cook an additional 6-7 minutes. Cook until everything is hot.

 Add remaining chopped cilantro and serve. 

NOTE: This was delicious, but the when we heated the leftovers the beef tips were a little spongy. Next time I make this I will saute them to get some brown crust on 'em. Hopefully they will stand up better in the broth as leftovers then.