Quinoa With Snap Peas And Pepita Mint Pesto Recipes

QUINOA WITH PEAS AND ONION

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Remove from the heat; fluff with a fork. , Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute onion in oil until tender. Add peas; cook and stir until heated through. Stir in the cooked quinoa, salt and pepper. Sprinkle with walnuts.

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.

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.

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.

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.