Not so long ago people struggled to pronounce it when seen on a menu, or looked quizzically when someone spoke of this versatile power grain. Quinoa, has since come into its own, claiming its place on menus and in homes. Lauded for its health benefits and versatility, quinoa is delicious morning, noon and night. We’ve enjoyed it as a sweetened breakfast porridge, thrown in salads and bowls at lunch and as a foundation to dinners (as in the case of Moroccan Chicken Stew, where it perfectly presents as a gluten-free option to couscous). Here it shines as a quick, protein-rich side dish.
The inspiration comes from a recipe extracted from my mom’s old recipe box and clipped from a box of bulgur wheat. It was a family favorite as I grew up and we thought with the arrival of celiac, we’d have to break up. I decided to see how it was with quinoa, and we all agree it is even better than the original! It is a friendly recipe that begs for variations and we have played with the spices, added more treasures including chopped nuts, herbs or sundried tomatoes and a flourish of freshly chopped herbs at the finish is sure to delight!
Protein Power Pilaf
- May 24, 2021
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 3/4 cup celery, chopped
- ½ cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup quinoa (rinsed if needed)
- 1 teaspoon house blend seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dill weed
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- Optional:
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped for garnish
- Toasted walnuts or pine nuts
Directions
- Step 1
- Melt butter in a large non-stick skillet.
- Step 2
- Saute vegetables and when they begin to soften, add quinoa.
- Step 3
- Stir constantly until vegetables are tender and quinoa is toasty. Add seasonings and stock, and bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer approximately minutes or until liquid has been absorbed and quinoa is tender and a white ring encircles each grain.
- Step 4
- Season to taste with salt, pepper or house blend. Stir in 1 T. parsley
- Step 5
- garnish with more parsley and chopped nuts just before serving.
- Step 6
- Variations: add chopped peppers, tomatoes (regular or sundried) or any other favorite vegetable.
