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Sunday, January 4, 2009

Quinoa

Now that the cookie orgy is over, I've been going through old recipes I've collected over my (many) years of weight loss efforts. I thought it would be fun to post a different recipe each week: this'll make sure I keep things fresh in my mind, as well as on our plates. Marble Man always says "I love when you go on a diet! We get great stuff to eat." I'll be concentrating on foods rich in whole grains and nutrition. I hope you'll find it interesting, and maybe even helpful.

Today's recipe:


Quinoa pilaf

Prep time: 40 minutes

1 C quinoa
1 T vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 T pine nuts
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
2 T golden raisins
2 C vegetable broth
salt and pepper to taste

Rinse quinoa with cold water and drain well.

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onion, garlic, pine nuts and red pepper and cook over medium heat until lightly browned (about 5 minutes). Add sweet potato, raisins and quinoa and cook for 1 minute.

Stir in broth and black pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender, about 15-20 minutes. Fluff with a fork and serve at once.

Serves 6 (recipe makes about 5.5 cups)

Note: this recipe is remarkably versatile:
*If you don't like sweet potato, try substituting acorn squash.
*If red peppers are too expensive, or you just don't have any, try chopped portobello mushrooms instead.
*Dark raisins work just as well as golden.

If you are unfamiliar with quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah), you can find more about it here.

I hope you try this wonderful recipe. It's delicious!

copyright 2009 What's Cooking?

14 comments:

  1. Cecile/DreamCreateRepeatJan 4, 2009, 7:43:00 AM

    you had me at pine nuts....

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  2. this looks dee-lish!! i love quinoa and sweet potatoes and, well, all of it! i can't wait to try this!

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  3. I'm going to toy with this recipe Kate, thanks!

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  4. Cecile/DreamCreateRepeatJan 4, 2009, 9:46:00 AM

    no, no, no.....reference to the movie "Jerry McGuire." You didn't need to list anything beyond pine nuts: love 'em!

    I will definitely try this recipe!

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  5. My sister always makes excellent quinoa dishes...mine always taste like health food.

    This sounds delish...

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  6. it sounds really great! thank you ... I'll be handing this one to the spouse with fingers crossed. :)

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  7. Happy Monday!

    Thanks for such a yummy recipe!

    ~ Gabriela ~

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  8. Yum!! Sounds and looks great!!

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  9. What a great idea to post a healthy recipe each week. I'll be tuning in as I'm always looking for some culinary inspiration!

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  10. Happy New Year Kate!

    This recipe looks yummy. Just in time for me, too. I've been looking for new and interesting ways to spice up my cooking. I'll stay tuned in.

    Hugs!
    Nancy

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  11. Sounds delish Kate.
    Thank you for sharing your recipe. I've never heard of quinoa before!
    Will have to look for it and give it a try. Hope you have a great night.

    xox
    Constance

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  12. I'm so glad this weekly recipe idea got such positive reactions.

    Stay tuned for more...

    Kate

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  13. Wow that's so easy and looks so yummy!! I might just try it! Thanks for sharing :)

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  14. I love Qunioa and remembered you had a pilaf recipe.

    By the way, I made Qunioa "Fried Rice Style" the other night, and that tasted fab too!

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