Quinoa Pilaf With Butternut Squash Caramelized Onion And Goat Cheese Recipes

QUINOA WITH ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH

Steps:

• Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set aside.
• Place the squash in a medium bowl and add 3 tablespoons of the oil, the thyme and 2 teaspoons of salt and season with pepper to taste. Mix until the squash is well coated. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and spread squash out into a single layer. Roast until a paring knife slides into the squash with no resistance, about 30 minutes, stirring about halfway through the cooking time. Put the pistachios on a small baking sheet and toast until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, rinse the quinoa in cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. Bring the broth or water to a boil and stir in the quinoa. Simmer, uncovered, until a small white spiral becomes visible in each grain, about 9 minutes. Drain the quinoa and transfer it to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, the pistachios, cranberries, vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper to taste.
• Place the spinach in a large mixing bowl and toss with the hot squash until slightly wilted. Add the quinoa mixture and toss again. Serve warm or at room temperature.

QUINOA PILAF WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, CARAMELIZED ONION AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
• Peel, de-seed and chop the squash into small, bite-sized cubes (or high five yourself if you bought it already processed).
• Toss the squash in a bowl with 1 tablespoon olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Bake on a baking sheet lined with either parchment paper or a silicon liner for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.
• Take the uncooked quinoa and toast it a saute pan (no oil or butter!) over medium low heat for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring/ shaking the pan frequently. You will hear a little popping, and you will smell the toasty quinoa when it is about ready. Careful not to burn it!
• Pour the toasted quinoa in a heat safe bowl and set aside.
• Add half a tablespoon of butter, and half a tablespoon of olive oil to the (same, now empty) pan and heat on low.
• Add the chopped onion, sugar and a little salt and pepper to taste.
• Stir the onions frequently. Tip: If needed, use some extra stock (like 2-3 tablespoons - I do not measure) to de-glaze the pan a couple of times, and scrape up the brown bits. It will evaporate pretty quickly.
• Cook the onions slow and low until fully caramelized, about 20 minutes. The secret to good caramelized onions is patience.
• When the onions are caramelized, add the 1.5 cups of stock, and increase the heat to bring to a boil.
• Once boiling, stir in the quinoa and 1 tablespoon of the thyme.
• Reduce heat to low to a slow simmer, and simmer for about 15 minutes covered, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the lid, and gently fold in the roasted squash. Recover the pot.
• Turn off the heat (with the lid still on) and remove the pot from the heat, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
• Transfer mixture to serving dish, and top with goat cheese crumbles and remaining fresh thyme.
• Serve immediately.

QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan or a high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the bell pepper, salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 minutes. Make a space in the center of the vegetables and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring constantly, until coated with oil, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until all of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer until all of the broth has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Keep covered and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the arugula, almonds, mint, cucumber and lemon zest and toss well. Season with salt and pepper.

QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Heat the fat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion until translucent and fragrant. Add the quinoa and stir to coat. Add the liquid and bring to a simmer for about 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Combine with the herbs, spices, or seasonings and season with salt, and pepper, to taste.
• Quinoa Pilaf Variations:
• Coconut-Lime Quinoa: Cook the quinoa in 1 cup coconut milk and 1 cup chicken broth. Season the quinoa with fresh lime zest and lime juice.
• Mediterranean Quinoa: When the quinoa has finished cooking, add chopped fresh parsley, diced tomatoes, kalamata olives, fresh lemon juice and zest. Top with feta cheese.
• Lemon-Thyme Quinoa: Cook the quinoa in 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1 3/4 cups chicken broth. Season the quinoa with chopped fresh thyme leaves.

QUINOA WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH, CHICKEN, AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts in a saucepan; add water and bring to a boil. Lower heat to medium and simmer just until chicken breasts are no longer pink in the middle, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken breasts and set aside to cool, reserving water.
• Measure 3 cups from reserved water and discard any remaining. Pour the 3 cups water back into saucepan. Add quinoa and bouillon; return to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until water is absorbed and quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pecans and toss until fragrant and one shade darker, about 5 minutes. Remove pecans and set aside. Add butternut squash and 2 tablespoons water to the same skillet; cook and stir until just tender, adding more water if needed, 4 to 5 minutes.
• Chop chicken breasts into 1/2-inch pieces.
• Combine cooked quinoa, chicken, squash, and pecans in a bowl. Stir in cranberries, goat cheese, and parsley; season with salt and pepper.