When my friend Sam got engaged a few months ago, she asked me to make a dish for her wedding reception, with the following parameters: appropriate for a buffet; Italian; vegan; soy free; gluten free. A tall order, you ask? Not at all!

I made Isa’s Isa’s Quinoa Puttanesca (The Quinoa of Whores). Aside from the reference to whores, it fit the bill perfectly, and was pretty tasty, if I do say so myself. Despite some men turning their noses up at a “vegetarian” dish, my little pan of goodness was eaten up!

This recipe is fast, easy, and hearty, with surprisingly complex flavors. I think the white wine made it.