Warm vegetable and Quinoa Salad

An ancient grain forgotten in the Andes mountains for a long time gets a makeover and it is now in almost every restaurant's menu, Quinoa. I first encountered this tiny round goodness in culinary school when taking a Nutritional cooking class years ago, that sentence made me feel old.

Back to the quinoa, we were learning how to create delicious, nutritionally balanced meals and this mysterious grain was one of our go to ingredients. It is very pleasing to see it become part of the shopping list in many households. A great gluten free substitution with a heavy dose of protein for the vegetarian in your life.

Easy to cook and dress, this nutty little treat is great in salads, warm or cold, soups and even cereals.

This recipe is quick, easy and delicious and I hope it gives you an introduction to a long and loving relationship with Quinoa. Enjoy!

Quinoa and vegetable warm salad

Serves 4

1/2 cup quinoa

10 creamini or white bottom mushrooms, sliced

1 cup broccoli florets

1/2 cup sliced zucchini

Half onion finely diced

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 diced tomato

Olive oil

Kosher Salt and pepper

Fresh herbs

 

Heat a skilled to medium-high and add 2 tbsp of light olive oil, add the mushrooms and let cook for a few minutes while turning them every couple of minutes until reduce by half, add the onions and cook for 5 more minutes while turning them, until the onions are translucent. Add 1/2 salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper and continue cooking

Meanwhile, in a separate pot bring 2 cups of water to a boil, once boiling add 1 tsp of salt and the quinoa, boil for 15 minutes, the same way you would cook pasta.

Go back to the skilled and add the broccoli, zucchini, garlic and tomato and continue cooking until the vegetables are tender about 5-7 minutes.

Drain the quinoa once it is done cooking, I like mine a bit al dente but it shouldn't be too hard, and add to the veggies tossing to coat all the veggies with the quinoa.

Chop a handful of fresh parsley, oregano and basil and sprinkle over the top.

It can be served alone or along side grilled chicken, fish or any meet for that matter.

Enjoy and if you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you!

Quinoa is a ancient grain high in protein, fiber and other nutrients. It is a lot easier to cook than you think and assure you it will become a part of your repertoire.

It is easy to find in any grocery store, here in Denver I have seen it in all mayor outlets (Safeway, king sooper's, whole foods, sprouts)

By Paula Thomas