Quinoa With Snap Peas And Pepita Mint Pesto Recipes

QUINOA, PEAS, AND MINT TABBOULEH

Steps:

• Cook the quinoa in 1 cup boiling water in a small saucepan, covered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until all the liquid has been absorbed. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the peas until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain, submerge in ice water to cool quickly, and mash with a fork. Combine the quinoa and mashed peas with the parsley, onion, lemon juice, oil, mint, Aleppo pepper, and a big pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Toss to combine and serve.
• Photograph copyright © 2015 by Michael Persico

QUINOA WITH SNAP PEAS AND PEPITA-MINT PESTO

Steps:

• Rinse and cook the quinoa according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Make the pesto: Combine the mint, parsley, garlic, Parmesan, lemon zest and 1/4 cup of the pepitas in a food processor. Pulse, drizzling in the 1/4 cup olive oil, until a loose paste forms. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Place the cooked quinoa in a large bowl and toss with the pesto until coated. Add the snap peas and remaining 1/4 cup pepitas. Toss until well combined. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and add salt and pepper to taste.

FRESH LASAGNA WITH WALNUT PESTO

Steps:

• Roast the cherry tomatoes: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
• Place the cherry tomatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until the tomatoes are juicy and slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, make the walnut pesto: Combine the walnuts, garlic, cheese and basil in a food processor and process until smooth. Add big pinches each of salt and pepper. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil. Add more salt and pepper, to taste. Set the pesto aside.
• To assemble: Place 3 slices of the zucchini, slightly overlapping them, on a large plate. Add enough pesto to coat the zucchini (2 to 3 tablespoons). Top with a layer of sliced tomatoes. Top with 3 more zucchini slices, some of the pesto and cherry tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of the basil. Top with another layer of zucchini, pesto, sliced tomatoes and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and the remaining 2 tablespoons basil. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil and serve.

PESTO QUINOA

Steps:

• Bring the quinoa and chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan; cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until the moisture is completely absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; stir the pesto through the quinoa. Fold the tomato into the mixture. Season with salt and pepper to serve.

QUINOA CONFETTI SALAD WITH SUGAR SNAP PEAS & TOASTED PEPITAS

Steps:

• Cook the quinoa according to package directions. Set aside and allow to cool.
• Fill a medium saucepan half full with water and bring to a boil. Add the sugar snap peas and boil for one minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer peas to a few layers of paper towels to dry and cool. When cool enough to handle, cut into 1-inch long pieces.
• Place a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the pepitas and cook, stirring constantly, until toasted and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool.
• Add quinoa, peas, and pepitas to a large bowl along with the carrots, onion, and chives. Toss to combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over salad and toss again to coat.
• Taste and add additional salt and pepper if desired.
• To store, cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to two days.

MEXICAN QUINOA WITH PEPITA-CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small pot, bring water to boil over high heat. Add quinoa. Return to boil. Reduce heat to lowest setting; cover. Simmer 15 minutes. Water should be absorbed. Fluff with a fork. Let stand, covered, 5 minutes to finish steaming. Transfer to a bowl. (I usually cook my quinoa, after toasting, in the microwave with the 1 1/2 cups of boiling water from the kettle, covered, for 12 minutes on medium-low -- about the same time it takes to cook basmati rice in my microwave).
• Meanwhile in a small skillet over medium-high heat, toast pepitas, shaking pan often, until they begin to pop and are fragrant and just starting to brown, 3-5 minutes.
• Transfer to food processor or blender. Add cilantro, garlic, jalapeno, salt and cumin. Process, scraping sides frequently, until well-minced. With machine running, gradually add oil, then lime juice, processing until as smooth as possible, and scraping down sides as needed.
• Stir pepita mixture, bell pepper and onions into quinoa. Stir well.
• Serve warm. Pass lime wedges separately, if desired.

SNAP PEAS WITH MINT

Steps:

• Pluck off and discard the end of each pea pod.
• Bring enough water to boil to cover the peas. Add salt to taste.
• Add the peas. When the water returns to a boil, simmer the peas for about 3 to 4 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain.
• Meanwhile, drop the tomatoes into boiling water and boil them for 10 seconds. Drain, let cool. Remove the skins and cut the tomatoes into 1/4-inch cubes.
• Heat the butter in a saucepan; add the tomatoes; cook and stir for one minute. Add the peas, mint, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir to blend. Cook for one minute. Add the lemon juice and serve.