Saturday, November 5, 2011

RECIPE: Almond Bell Pepper Quinoa

One of the whole foods I have learned to love in the past few years is quinoa! This pseudocereal can brag an impressive higher protein content complete with the essential amino acids.  I'll have to write more about it in a "Featured Whole Food" post.  For now, here's my simple and easy recipe to enjoy quinoa.

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
2 tsp McKay chicken-like broth (powder to be mixed with water)
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup sliced Trader Joe's Fire Roasted Red Bell Peppers
1/2 cup chopped onions
4 cloves chopped/minced garlic
2 tsp canola oil
1 Tbsp lime juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
Cilantro for garnishing  (optional)


Directions:
Toast almonds in 415 degree oven for five minutes or until slightly brown. Then lay aside.

Place McKay powdered seasoning broth into water in a medium-sized sauce pan and stir. Add quinoa into liquid broth until water is boiling for a total of about 15 to 20 minutes. Then turn down heat and simmer for another few minutes.  However, while quinoa is in water until boiling, separately sautee onions and garlic in frying pan until slightly brown.  Then when quinoa and water are in simmering stage, add sauteed onions and garlic, red bell peppers, and almonds and mix.  Add lime juice. Add olive oil. Add salt and black pepper to taste. Resume mixing some more.  Make sure not to dry out quinoa too much; otherwise, dish will turn out to be mushy.  Garnish with cilantro. 

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What has your experience been with quinoa?






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