A Quinoa Pilaf That You Ll Love

Say hello to your new favorite side dish with "A Quinoa Pilaf That You’ll Love"! Brimming with vibrant flavors and wholesome goodness, this easy quinoa recipe combines fluffy, nutty quinoa cooked in vegetable broth with a medley of sautéed vegetables, including carrots, celery, and red bell pepper. Infused with warm spices like cumin and paprika, and brightened with a touch of fresh lemon juice and parsley, this dish strikes the perfect balance of hearty and refreshing. For an added crunch, sprinkle on toasted slivered almonds! Ready in just 40 minutes and naturally gluten-free, this nutritious quinoa pilaf is a versatile crowd-pleaser that can shine as a healthy side or a satisfying vegetarian main course.

Nutriscore Rating: 79/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
• 1 celery stalk, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.25 cup slivered almonds, toasted (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold running water using a fine mesh sieve to remove its natural bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium pot, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and has absorbed the broth. Remove from heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.

Step 3

While the quinoa is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrot, and diced celery, cooking for an additional 4-5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.

Step 6

Add the diced red bell pepper, cumin, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the spices, and cook for another 3 minutes until the peppers are tender.

Step 7

Mix the cooked quinoa into the skillet with the vegetables, stirring gently to combine.

Step 8

Add the chopped parsley and lemon juice, and stir again. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 9

Optional: Sprinkle toasted slivered almonds on top for an added crunch and nutty flavor.

Step 10

Serve warm as a main dish or side, and enjoy your delicious quinoa pilaf!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	914.9 grams (914.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	757

Total Fat 47.70g	61%
Saturated Fat 6.40g	32%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.10g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2404mg	105%
Total Carbohydrate 71.50g	26%
Dietary Fiber 18.30g	65%
Total Sugars 23.90g
Protein 19.50g	39%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 284mg	22%
Iron 7mg	41%
Potassium 2068mg	44%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.1%

Protein: 9.8%

Carbs: 36.1%