coconut curry quinoa + 5 ways to cook quinoa

Weeknight mealtimes have been sort of iffy lately. Most times,  I manage to plan ahead for my evening meal.  Sometimes, I just wing it with what’s in the fridge and pantry. Since quinoa is something I always have on hand, it makes frequent appearances alongside or underneath whatever else I’ve cooked. Occasionally though, I like to give the little grain some more attention. You know, zhoozh it up a bit so it doesn’t always fade into the background. Here’s one of my favorite ways:

Coconut-Curry Quinoa

makes about 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups quinoa (I like to use a combo of regular and black quinoa)
• small onion, chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
• roma tomato, chopped (optional)
• 1/2 – 1 Tbsp of curry powder (vary amount according to your tastes)
• small can of coconut milk
• 1 cup water
• 1 Tbsp olive oil

5 Ways to Use Cooked Quinoa:

1. Quinoa mac-and-cheese – A more protein-packed version of the classic dish. I use the quinoa mac-and-cheese recipe from Moni’s Meals as a guideline.
2. Quinoa stir fry – Stir fry peas, diced carrots, diced green onions, and any other veggies you like with crushed garlic and ginger. Toss in cooked quinoa, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
3. Quinoa salad – Toss cooked quinoa with diced cucumber, tomatoes, fresh basil, feta cheese, and a vinaigrette. Add more veggies and salad fixings as you like.
4. Quinoa cakes – Mix cooked quinoa with beaten egg, minced shallots, and grated parmesan cheese. Shape into small cakes and pan-fry. Serve as a snack or appetizer.
5. Quinoa burgers – Mix cooked quinoa with ground beef or turkey, egg, and seasonings. Shape into burger-sized patties and cook as you would cook burgers. It’s a nice way to add a little whole grain to your meal.

cheers,

k

top photo: Quinoa with Chickpeas, Curry, and Lime