Versatile Quinoa Pilaf Recipes

QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion in oil for 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add carrot, and cook 3 minutes more. Stir in quinoa and vegetable broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and fluffy.
• In a bowl, toss quinoa together with walnuts and parsley. Serve hot or at room temperature.

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 WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and swirl olive oil around the inside of the pan to coat. Cook shallot in the hot oil until translucent, about 3 minutes; stir in cremini mushrooms, cooking and stirring until mushrooms are browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir quinoa, thyme, bay leaf, kosher salt, and black pepper into mushroom mixture. Cook, stirring often, until quinoa gives off a slightly toasted fragrance, about 5 minutes.
• Pour vegetable stock into quinoa mixture (stock may spatter a bit); stir to combine. Bring to a full boil, reduce heat to low, and cover pan; simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff quinoa pilaf with a fork; cover pan and let pilaf stand 10 more minutes to steam dry.

VEGETABLE QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Pour oil into a medium saucepan, and place over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; cook and stir for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
• Using a strainer, rinse quinoa under cold water. Drain well. Stir into the vegetables; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add water, bay leaf and lemon rind and juice; bring to boil. Cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
• Discard bay leaf. Stir in peas, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

VERSATILE QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 190 celsius.
• Toast quinoa in pan until its dry and popping. Let it pop for a few minutes while keeping it moving in the pan. Pour into casserole dish with a lid.
• Puree the tomatoes, stock cubes and garlic in a food processor or blender until very smooth and creamy. You need exactely 4 cups of this mixture. If you don't have enough you can add a little water to make up the difference. Add this mixture to the quinoa.
• Sautee the onion until lightly browned and add to the casserole dish. Mix it very well, put the lid on and bake for approximately 45 mins to 1 hour until the tails of the quinoa are visible and the grain is translucent. Fluff with a fork.
• FOR Mexican quinoa; add 3 chopped jalapenos and 1 finely chopped green capsicum on top in the last 20 minutes Also add 1 tbsp of tomato paste to the puree in the blender. Plus 1/2-1 bunch of chopped cilantro mixed through once it's out of the oven.
• FOR SPICED QUINOA; Fry a couple of tbsps of your favourite curry paste with the onions and add 1 cup of frozen peas in the last few minutes of cooking as well as nuts such as cashews or sliced almonds and sultanas. Garnish with coriander.
• FOR MEDITERRANEAN: Add 2 stalks of finely chopped celery and saute with the onions. Add a dash of white wine. Add 1 tsp of dried oregano, 1 tsp of dried basil, 1 tsp of dried marjoram and 1 tsp of chili flakes and mix through before baking. Add 1/2-1 bunch of chopped parsley, 1/4 cup of fresh oregano and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil and mix through once cooked.
• Optional: 1-2 cups of chopped mushrooms well fried.
• Raisins.
• Pine nuts.
• Fried eggplant.
• Finely chopped red capsicum.
• 1 cup of frozen peas.

QUINOA & VEGETABLE PILAF

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse and drain the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer (rinsing removes the residue of the grain's bitter coating). In a covered saucepan on high heat, bring the quinoa, broth, and thyme to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer covered until all the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Cover and set aside.
• While the quinoa cooks, sauté the onion and garlic in the oil in a skillet on medium-high heat for 3 or 4 minutes, until softened. Add the carrots and sauté for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring occasionally and covering the skillet, if necessary, to prevent sticking. Add the bell pepper and peas and sauté just until they are hot, a couple of minutes. Stir in the tomato, salt, and pepper, cover, and remove from the heat.
• When both the quinoa and vegetables are done, combine them. Add salt to taste. Serve topped with cheese if you wish.
• Ingredient Note
• Use different vegetables, such as asparagus, green beans, celery, and mushrooms-just be sure there are several colors and about 4 to 5 cups total.
• Vary the herb-try dill, tarragon, or rosemary.
• Serving & menu ideas
• Serve with Lemon Herb Tofu (page 68), corn on the cob with one of our toppings (page 188), or Broccoli Tomato Salad (page 204).

VEGETABLE QUINOA PILAF

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa with cold water according to the directions on the package; drain.
• In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
• In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add leeks, peppers, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute.
• Combine vegetable mixture and quinoa. Stir in cheese, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley.