Quinoa Pilaf

Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf

Makes 6 servings. 

This nutritious, tasty dish pairs well with fish, poultry, meat or can be served by itself.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped

  • 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 2 carrots, peeled, coarsely chopped

  • 1½ cups quinoa

  • 2 cups vegetable broth

  • 1 cup tightly pack flat leaf parsley, finely chopped

  • 1 cup frozen sweet peas, thawed

  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • Kosher salt

PREPARATION:

  1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan. Add the onion, garlic and carrots. Sauté for about 5 minutes.

  2. Add the quinoa and stir until the quinoa is lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

  3. Add the vegetable broth, bring to a boil, lower the heat, cover and simmer for about 20 minutes. Stir from time to time.

  4. Add the parsley, the peas, lemon juice and salt.  Fluff with a fork and season to taste with lemon juice and salt.

 
 

Quinoa Pilaf

Makes 4 -6 servings.

I like the nutty, earthy flavor of this nutritious dish. Cooking the quinoa with some carrot juice perks up the flavor. You can easily pair this dish with tofu, salmon or poultry.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil.
  • 1 medium carrot, diced
  • 2 medium shallots, diced
  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 inch ginger, peeled, grated
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin, approx
  • ½ cup carrot juice (See Note)
  • ¾ cup water
  • ½ cup blanched almonds, coarsely chopped
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice, approx
  • Kosher salt

PREPARATION:

  1. In a medium saucepan with a cover, heat the oil, add the carrot and shallots and cook stirring over medium/low heat, covered until softened, about 8 minutes.
  2. Add the quinoa and cook stirring over low heat, until the quinoa is fragrant and beginning to pop, about 5 minutes. Stir in cumin and ginger. Add the carrot juice, and water. Bring to a boil, cover and cook over low heat until the liquid is absorbed, about 13 minutes.
  3. Stir with a fork to fluff the grains, Add the almonds, lemon zest and lemon juice.  Season to taste with cumin, lemon juice and salt.

NOTE:

Carrot juice is available in most supermarkets and health food stores.