Quinoa Toasted Recipes

QUINOA WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Place vegetables and garlic in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, at 425° for 35-40 minutes or until tender, stirring once., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring broth 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., Transfer vegetables and quinoa to a large bowl. Whisk the vinegar, mustard and remaining oil; drizzle over vegetable mixture. Sprinkle with herbs: toss to combine.

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.

HOW TO PROPERLY CLEAN AND TOAST QUINOA

Steps:

• Each grain of quinoa (unless pre-washed) is covered in a soapy substance called saponin. It tastes bitter and will affect the taste of your quinoa if you don't remove it.
• TO REMOVE THE SAPONIN:.
• First measure the quinoa and put it into a large bowl. Fill it with clean water. Let is soak for a little while. Then, using a wire whisk swish the quinoa around until you see a soapy residue come out of the quinoa. You might have to do this for a few minutes to get all the saponin off.
• Once the soapy residue is off strain the quinoa in a fine mesh sieve then rinse the quinoa with fresh water and set aside.
• Now get a big heavy saute pan (I used a 12" stainless steel pan) and heat it up on medium low. Put one cup of the wet quinoa into the saute pan (anymore and it will be over crowded). Using your wire whisk start moving the quinoa around the pan.
• Once it gets hot, the water is absorbed and the quinoa starts popping you know it's finally drying out. Keep swishing it around with the whisk until the grains of quinoa start to brown. You will see it transform before your eyes and it will smell nutty.
• When it's sufficiently done, remove from the pan and place in a bowl to cool.
• Store it in a jar in the fridge so it will last a while. When ever you want some just go get it.
• It pays to do 3-4 cups at a time so you have some on hand.
• Bon Appetit!

QUINOA WITH TOASTED WALNUTS

Steps:

• Heat a skillet over medium heat; cook and stir walnuts until toasted and fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; swirl to coat. Add shallots; saute until tender, about 1 minute. Add garlic; saute until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add quinoa; cook and stir until toasted, about 2 minutes.
• Mix vegetable stock, thyme, and salt into quinoa mixture; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 12 minutes.
• Mix quinoa, walnuts, chives, walnut oil, and black pepper together in a bowl.

QUINOA-TOASTED

Steps:

• Pour 1 cup quinoa into a fine strainer and rinse thoroughly under cool water-this will get rid of it's natural, bitter coating. I find this method helpful too-pour quinoa into a medium bowl, add cold water and swish around with your hand. Place a unbleached coffee filter into your strainer, then drain off the quinoa. It's a lot less annoying this way as the tiny grain won't get stuck in your strainer.
• Put rinsed quinoa into a large frying pan over medium heat.
• Cook, shaking the pan for around 15 minutes or until the quinoa reaches a golden brown.
• Remove from heat and pan and cool.
• Store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid.
• Keeps for up to 1 month.

ROASTED VEGETABLE & QUINOA HARVEST BOWLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (or more baking sheets if increasing batch size).
• Add the carrots and potatoes to the sheet and drizzle with half of the maple syrup, half of the olive oil, the salt, pepper, and rosemary (as original recipe is written, 1 Tbsp maple syrup and 1 Tbsp olive oil // adjust if altering batch size). Toss to combine. Then bake for 12 minutes.
• In the meantime, heat a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add rinsed quinoa to lightly sautée before adding water to evaporate leftover moisture and bring out a nutty flavor.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Then add water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat. Then reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 18-22 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy. Then open lid and fluff the quinoa with a fork. Tilt the lid, remove from the heat, and set aside.
• When the veggies are at the 12-minute mark, remove pan from the oven and add the Brussels sprouts. Top with remaining 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp maple syrup, and another pinch each salt and pepper (amounts as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size). Loosely toss to combine.
• Return pan to oven and roast for 10-12 minutes more or until Brussels sprouts are golden brown and the carrots and potatoes are fork tender. (This ensures that the potatoes and carrots are cooked through and the Brussels don't get too soft.)
• Lastly, prepare dressing by adding tahini, lemon juice, and maple syrup to a small mixing bowl and whisking to combine. Add 2 Tbsp (30 ml) warm water at a time and whisk until thick but pourable. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness or lemon juice for acidity.
• To serve, divide quinoa and vegetables between serving bowls and top with a generous drizzle of tahini sauce. Top with garnish of choice, such as pomegranate arils or fresh herbs.

SKILLET-TOASTED QUINOA

Steps:

• 1. Cook the quinoa in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring or shaking the pan occasionally, until it is lightly dried out and toasted, about 15 minutes. It will make slight popping sounds as it approaches being done. To best ascertain doneness, scoop out a teaspoon, cool it slightly, and taste it. Touching it directly in the pan will not be a sure test, as the quinoa will be releasing steam.
• 2. Remove the skillet from the heat. Season the quinoa to taste and serve as a side or proceed with a recipe.