Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf (Printable)

Fluffy quinoa tossed with golden roasted vegetables, garlic, and fresh herbs for a colorful nutritious dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth or water

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
04 - 1 small zucchini, diced
05 - 1 small carrot, peeled and diced
06 - 1 small red onion, diced
07 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Aromatics & Seasonings

09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Fresh Herbs & Finish

14 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, optional
16 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# Directions:

01 - Preheat your oven to 425°F.
02 - On a large baking sheet, toss bell pepper, zucchini, carrot, red onion, and cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
03 - Roast vegetables in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once, until golden and tender.
04 - Combine rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
05 - Fluff quinoa with a fork to separate the grains.
06 - In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in cumin, thyme, and smoked paprika.
07 - Add cooked quinoa and roasted vegetables to the skillet. Toss gently to combine and warm through.
08 - Remove from heat. Add parsley, mint if using, and lemon juice. Toss well and adjust seasoning as needed.
09 - Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Vibrant, nutrient-dense main or side dish packed with seasonal color.
  • Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.
  • The roasting process adds a delicious caramelized depth to the vegetables.
  • Versatile enough to be served warm or at room temperature.
02 -
  • Dice your vegetables into uniform sizes to ensure they roast at the same rate.
  • Use vegetable broth instead of water when cooking the quinoa to infuse the grains with more flavor.
  • Add the fresh herbs at the very end to keep their color bright and their flavor punchy.
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