Zesty Quinoa Recipes

ZESTY MEDITERRANEAN QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine quinoa, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, avocado, feta and parsley.
• Make dressing: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, vinegar, honey and garlic. Season with salt, red pepper flakes and oregano and whisk until combined.
• Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss until salad is coated in dressing. Garnish with more parsley and serve.

HOT AND ZESTY QUINOA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from the heat; fluff with a fork., In a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add tomatoes and green chilies. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Stir in quinoa and artichoke; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese.

SPICE-RUBBED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH ZESTY QUINOA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Put the quinoa in a medium saucepan filled two-thirds full of water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer until the grains are tender, about 12 minutes. Drain and rinse the quinoa under cold water. Drain again, then return to the pot.
• Meanwhile, combine the coriander, cumin and 1 garlic clove, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a mortar and pestle coarsely crush to make a rough paste (alternatively use a small food processor). Rub the pork tenderloin all over with the spice mixture.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat until very hot. Add the pork tenderloin and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides, about 6 minutes total. Transfer the skillet to the oven and roast the pork until just cooked through, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the pork registers 150 degrees F, about 15 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes.
• Combine the spinach, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeno and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and garlic cloves in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add to the quinoa along with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan. Slice the pork tenderloin and divide between 4 plates with the quinoa. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon cheese and a few cilantro leaves for garnish.
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ZESTY QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Bring quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is tender and water has been absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Whisk olive oil, lime juice, cumin, 1 teaspoon salt, and red pepper flakes together in a bowl.
• Combine quinoa, tomatoes, black beans, and green onions together in a bowl. Pour dressing over quinoa mixture; toss to coat. Stir in cilantro; season with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator.

SPICY QUINOA WITH SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the quinoa in a bowl and cover with water; drain. Repeat twice; drain well. (This will help remove bitterness.) Transfer the quinoa to a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the quinoa is dry, about 8 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, 3/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pan, leaving the lid slightly ajar to let steam escape; reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the red onion and garlic and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the chile powder, coriander and cumin and cook, stirring, until the spices darken, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, the jalapeno, sweet potatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is almost absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Add the sweet potato mixture to the quinoa, then add the cilantro and lime juice and toss; season with salt.

QUINOA VEGGIE SALAD WITH ZESTY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Scrape the cooked quinoa into a large bowl and refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
• Place the vinegar, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and mustard into a blender. Drizzle in the oil while blending at high speed until the dressing is thick.
• Add the cucumbers, bell pepper, red onion, tomato, and olives to the bowl with the quinoa. Pour the dressing overtop and gently fold until evenly mixed.

SWEET POTATO & BLACK BEAN CHILLI WITH ZESTY QUINOA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss the potatoes with half the oil and some seasoning on a baking tray. Bake for 30 mins, tossing halfway through cooking, until tender. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a pan, add the onion and cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the garlic, chilli and coriander stalks. Cook everything for a further 2-3 mins, stirring to prevent the garlic from burning. Sprinkle in the spices, stirring for 1 min more, until aromatic. Stir in the chipotle paste, yeast extract, tomatoes and half a can of water, swirling it around the tin to wash out all the bits of tomato. Simmer the sauce, uncovered, while the sweet potato is cooking, adding a splash more water if it looks too dry.
• Add the sweet potato, black beans and seasoning to the chilli. Bubble for 5 mins, then taste and adjust the seasoning with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of sugar if it needs it. Meanwhile, stir the lime zest, a squeeze of lime juice, the coriander leaves and the pumpkin seeds into the quinoa. Toss the avocado in the remaining lime juice as soon as you've cut it - this will prevent it turning brown. To serve, divide the quinoa between plates or bowls, top with the chilli and a pile of avocado.

SPICY QUINOA

Steps:

• Cook the quinoa according to pack instructions, adding the vegetable stock cube to the cooking water. Leave to cool, then break up any clumps with a fork. Mix through remaining ingredients and serve.