This Green Quinoa Pilaf is an easy, healthy side dish that packs a punch of flavor. Double the recipe so that you have extra for lunches all week.
1 cup quinoa
2 cups vegetable stock
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 leek, white and green parts, halved, cleaned, and sliced very thin
½ green bell pepper, finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh garlic, finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh mint, very finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh chives, very finely minced
2 tablespoons fresh basil, very finely minced
1 avocado, chopped (reserve a few pieces as a garnish)
Juice of 1 lime
Extra virgin olive oil to drizzle
In a fine-mesh sieve, rinse the quinoa in cold water until the water runs clear.
In a medium pot, bring the vegetable stock to a boil. Add the salt, white pepper, and quinoa.
Bring the liquid back to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to a simmer.
Cook for 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender.
Remove the pot from the heat.
Drain the quinoa through a fine-mesh strainer.
Return the quinoa to the pot. Cover the pot with a clean dish towel and return the lid over the dishtowel. Allow the quinoa to rest for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
Add the leek, garlic, and green pepper. Stir, cooking until the leeks are fragrant and translucent – about 5 minutes.
Stir in the mint, chives, and basil. Cook, stirring constantly until the herbs are wilted – about 2 minutes.
Remove from the heat and fold in the quinoa
Stir in the avocado and the lime juice.
Taste and adjust seasonings for salt and pepper.
Garnish with basil leaves, a few pieces of chopped fresh avocado, and a light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Keywords: green quinoa pilaf, healthy side dish, side dish recipes, side dish, quinoa, quinoa recipes, healthy lunches,
Find it online: https://eatsbythebeach.com/green-quinoa-pilaf/