Versatile Quinoa Pilaf

"After many quinoa recipes that didn't really do it for me I think I've nailed it. This is by far the best quinoa recipe I've had. It's a combination of a few ideas and makes a yummy fluffy quinoa pilaf. Similar in texture to cous cous or rice. Tinned tomatoes can be used just make sure you have the 4 cups"
 
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photo by loof751 photo by loof751
photo by loof751
photo by canthelpmyself photo by canthelpmyself
photo by canthelpmyself photo by canthelpmyself
Ready In:
1hr 5mins
Ingredients:
6
Yields:
8 cups
Serves:
10
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ingredients

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directions

  • Preheat oven to 190 celsius.
  • Toast quinoa in pan until its dry and popping. Let it pop for a few minutes while keeping it moving in the pan. Pour into casserole dish with a lid.
  • Puree the tomatoes, stock cubes and garlic in a food processor or blender until very smooth and creamy. You need exactely 4 cups of this mixture. If you don't have enough you can add a little water to make up the difference. Add this mixture to the quinoa.
  • Sautee the onion until lightly browned and add to the casserole dish. Mix it very well, put the lid on and bake for approximately 45 mins to 1 hour until the tails of the quinoa are visible and the grain is translucent. Fluff with a fork.
  • FOR Mexican quinoa; add 3 chopped jalapenos and 1 finely chopped green capsicum on top in the last 20 minutes Also add 1 tbsp of tomato paste to the puree in the blender. Plus 1/2-1 bunch of chopped cilantro mixed through once it's out of the oven.
  • FOR SPICED QUINOA; Fry a couple of tbsps of your favourite curry paste with the onions and add 1 cup of frozen peas in the last few minutes of cooking as well as nuts such as cashews or sliced almonds and sultanas. Garnish with coriander.
  • FOR MEDITERRANEAN: Add 2 stalks of finely chopped celery and saute with the onions. Add a dash of white wine. Add 1 tsp of dried oregano, 1 tsp of dried basil, 1 tsp of dried marjoram and 1 tsp of chili flakes and mix through before baking. Add 1/2-1 bunch of chopped parsley, 1/4 cup of fresh oregano and 1/4 cup of chopped fresh basil and mix through once cooked.
  • Optional: 1-2 cups of chopped mushrooms well fried.
  • Raisins.
  • Pine nuts.
  • Fried eggplant.
  • Finely chopped red capsicum.
  • 1 cup of frozen peas.

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Reviews

  1. What a terrific way to prepare quinoa! I used the Mediterranean option and added in the suggested chopped mushrooms. Served this as a side dish to grilled chicken but it could easily be a vegetarian main course served with a nice salad. Looking forward to trying the other variations - thanks for sharing your recipe! Made for Spring Pick-A-Chef 2013
     
  2. Quite fluffy, with an intense tomato flavor. All 5 eaters gave it a thumbs up.<br/>Used the 'tail ends' of a variety of tomato products from the back of the fridge: paste, canned diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, plus one large tomato. At first, the mixture was WAY too thick--like a DQ milkshake, I couldn't get it out of my blender--I thinned it with a hefty amount of water to get the 4 cups. Baked in a Pyrex wrapped in foil.<br/>I found it to taste quite acidic at first, so I added a splash of simple syrup to tone it down. Served 'plain' (none of above variations) topped with sundried tomatoes, cheese, and chicken wings sauteed in a pesto sauce.
     
  3. Excellent variations. Unique and yummy. Many thanks.
     
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