Best 7 Versatile Quinoa Pilaf Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to preparing the versatile quinoa pilaf. Discover an easy-to-follow recipe that transforms this nutritious grain into a flavorful and aromatic dish. Quinoa, an ancient grain known for its high protein and fiber content, offers a blank canvas for creative culinary adventures. Let's embark on a journey to craft a delectable quinoa pilaf that will impress your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied and energized.

Let's cook with our recipes!

QUINOA PILAF



Quinoa Pilaf image

A delicious and easy quinoa recipe. Serve with a salad and crusty bread for a complete meal.

Provided by JBUCK123

Categories     Side Dish     Grain Side Dish Recipes

Time 35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
½ cup chopped onion
2 carrots, chopped
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 cups vegetable broth
¾ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Heat oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook onion in oil for 5 minutes, or until translucent. Add carrot, and cook 3 minutes more. Stir in quinoa and vegetable broth, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook 15 to 20 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and fluffy.
  • In a bowl, toss quinoa together with walnuts and parsley. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 365.2 calories, Carbohydrate 36.9 g, Fat 20.9 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 10.1 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 259.8 mg, Sugar 4.5 g

QUINOA PILAF



Quinoa Pilaf image

Provided by Giada De Laurentiis

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 large or 4 small shallots, chopped
1 small red pepper, stemmed, seeded, deveined and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus extra for seasoning
1 1/2 cups quinoa
1/4 cup white wine, such as pinot grigio
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 packed cup arugula, chopped
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
Zest of 1 lemon

Steps:

  • Cook's Note: To toast the almonds, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large saucepan or a high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the bell pepper, salt and pepper. Cook until the vegetables are tender, 5 minutes. Make a space in the center of the vegetables and add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the quinoa and cook, stirring constantly, until coated with oil, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and cook until all of the liquid has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer until all of the broth has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Keep covered and let sit for 10 minutes. Add the arugula, almonds, mint, cucumber and lemon zest and toss well. Season with salt and pepper.

QUINOA PILAF WITH MUSHROOMS



Quinoa Pilaf With Mushrooms image

Quinoa is not a grain, but a seed.

Provided by nosduh1313

Categories     Side Dish     Grain Side Dish Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small shallot, chopped
½ cup thinly sliced cremini mushrooms
1 ½ cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 cups vegetable stock

Steps:

  • Heat a large saucepan over medium heat and swirl olive oil around the inside of the pan to coat. Cook shallot in the hot oil until translucent, about 3 minutes; stir in cremini mushrooms, cooking and stirring until mushrooms are browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir quinoa, thyme, bay leaf, kosher salt, and black pepper into mushroom mixture. Cook, stirring often, until quinoa gives off a slightly toasted fragrance, about 5 minutes.
  • Pour vegetable stock into quinoa mixture (stock may spatter a bit); stir to combine. Bring to a full boil, reduce heat to low, and cover pan; simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and fluff quinoa pilaf with a fork; cover pan and let pilaf stand 10 more minutes to steam dry.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 290.3 calories, Carbohydrate 45.4 g, Fat 7.4 g, Fiber 6.5 g, Protein 9.9 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 1083.8 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

VEGETABLE QUINOA PILAF



Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf image

Quinoa is a delicately flavored grain, native to South America. It can be found in most health food stores. For even more flavorful pilaf, use vegetable stock in place of the water.

Provided by Laura Jull

Categories     Side Dish     Grain Side Dish Recipes

Time 50m

Yield 3

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
2 carrots, diced
½ cup quinoa
1 cup hot water
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 tablespoon lemon juice
½ cup frozen green peas, thawed
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Pour oil into a medium saucepan, and place over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; cook and stir for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.
  • Using a strainer, rinse quinoa under cold water. Drain well. Stir into the vegetables; cook and stir for 1 minute. Add water, bay leaf and lemon rind and juice; bring to boil. Cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and quinoa is tender.
  • Discard bay leaf. Stir in peas, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 195 calories, Carbohydrate 29.1 g, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 5.1 g, Protein 6.1 g, SaturatedFat 0.9 g, Sodium 76.8 mg, Sugar 4.8 g

VERSATILE QUINOA PILAF



Versatile Quinoa Pilaf image

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

Provided by canthelpmyself

Categories     < 4 Hours

Time 1h5m

Yield 8 cups, 10 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

2 cups quinoa, rinsed
4 -5 cups of peeled tomatoes
4 garlic cloves
2 large onions, finely chopped
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 vegie stock cubes

Steps:

  • 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.

QUINOA & VEGETABLE PILAF



Quinoa & Vegetable Pilaf image

Categories     Salad     Vegetable     Quinoa     Raw     Simmer     Boil

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 1/2 cups raw quinoa
2 1/4 cups vegetable broth (see page 295)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 bell pepper, seeded and diced
1 cup fresh or frozen green peas
1 tomato, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Grated Parmesan, Cheddar, or feta cheese (optional)

Steps:

  • Thoroughly rinse and drain the quinoa in a fine mesh strainer (rinsing removes the residue of the grain's bitter coating). In a covered saucepan on high heat, bring the quinoa, broth, and thyme to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer covered until all the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Cover and set aside.
  • While the quinoa cooks, sauté the onion and garlic in the oil in a skillet on medium-high heat for 3 or 4 minutes, until softened. Add the carrots and sauté for 3 or 4 minutes, stirring occasionally and covering the skillet, if necessary, to prevent sticking. Add the bell pepper and peas and sauté just until they are hot, a couple of minutes. Stir in the tomato, salt, and pepper, cover, and remove from the heat.
  • When both the quinoa and vegetables are done, combine them. Add salt to taste. Serve topped with cheese if you wish.
  • Ingredient Note
  • Use different vegetables, such as asparagus, green beans, celery, and mushrooms-just be sure there are several colors and about 4 to 5 cups total.
  • Vary the herb-try dill, tarragon, or rosemary.
  • Serving & menu ideas
  • Serve with Lemon Herb Tofu (page 68), corn on the cob with one of our toppings (page 188), or Broccoli Tomato Salad (page 204).

VEGETABLE QUINOA PILAF



Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf image

Make and share this Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Bayhill

Categories     Grains

Time 50m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 cup quinoa, uncooked
1 3/4 cups canned chicken broth, undiluted
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 medium leeks, finely chopped (use white portion only)
1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup yellow bell pepper, chopped
1/4 cup green bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup carrot, finely chopped
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1/4 teaspoon salt (to taste)
1/4 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground (to taste)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Steps:

  • Rinse quinoa with cold water according to the directions on the package; drain.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa and broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  • In a medium skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add leeks, peppers, carrots, and celery. Cook for 6 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute.
  • Combine vegetable mixture and quinoa. Stir in cheese, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley.

Tips:

  • For a flavorful pilaf, use a good-quality vegetable broth. You can also use chicken broth if you prefer.
  • Feel free to add other vegetables to your pilaf, such as chopped carrots, celery, or zucchini.
  • If you don't have any fresh herbs on hand, you can use dried herbs instead. Use about 1/4 of the amount of dried herbs as you would fresh herbs.
  • For a more colorful pilaf, use a variety of quinoa colors, such as white, red, and black.
  • If you're using a pressure cooker to cook your quinoa, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Conclusion:

Quinoa pilaf is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a side dish or a main course. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a healthy and flavorful dish to try, give quinoa pilaf a try.

Related Topics