Quinoa Corn Chowder

Current version

Ingredients: list 1
1.5 cups quinoa, rinsed well
1 lb. frozen sweet corn (TJs)
1 package frozen bell peppers

2 large or 4 small potatoes, cut in 1.5cm pieces (if organic, wash and leave skin on, otherwise peel)
4 soy sausages, sliced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 large cloves garlic, crushed

6 cups water

Ingredients: list 2

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

6 oz. bunch spinach, chopped
4 green onions, sliced

1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt

Directions:

1. Dump ingredients from list 1 into large crock pot. Cook on high for about 8 hours (this is an estimate -- we cooked on high for 3 hours and then on stovetop 1.5 hours)
2. 20-30 minutes before serving, stir in second list of ingredients

Original version

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil
3 thin serrano peppers
4 cloves garlic
5.5 cups water
2 potatoes
3/4 cup quinoa
1 lb. frozen sweet corn
1 bunch spinach
3 green onions
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. salt
1/3 cup cilantro
2 soy sausages

Directions:

1. Chop potatoes, garlic, and pepper.
2. In the bottom of a stock pot, saute garlic and serrano peppers in olive oil for 1 minute.
3. Add water and potatoes. Boil potatoes for 15 minutes.
4. Cook quinoa in a separate pot.
5. Chop spinach, green, onions, cilantro, and soy sausage.
6. Add corn, spinach, green onions to stock pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
7. Brown sausage slices in separate pan.
8. Add quinoa, soy sausage, cumin, salt, and cilantro. Stir and serve.

Inspired by (but not equivalent to) http://www.food.com/recipe/quinoa-corn-and-spinach-chowder-254674