With 2021 National Quinoa Day right around the corner (1/16) I am sharing these great recipes with you. So get ready to celebrate National Quinoa Day by swapping out rice with quinoa.
2021 National Quinoa Day Recipes
I was recently contacted by Ancient Harvest to see if I would share these great recipes with you. This made me happy since you guys loved it when I shared their recipes with you last year. You can check out that post here. So of course I said yes and here I am. I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I know my family will. Let me know in the comments below which of these recipes you’ll be trying.
Did you know that quinoa contains more protein than any other grain while also packing in iron and potassium? I think this is why it’s referred to as a super grain. In case you’re wondering what the difference is between rice and quinoa Ancient Harvest has shared an infographic for you. Check it out below.
Okay so now let’s get to the recipes!
Quinoa Protein Burrito Bowl
Servings: 3-4
Ingredients
1 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 red bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 yellow bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 large red onion, thinly sliced
1 cup Ancient Harvest Inca Red Quinoa, cooked according to package instructions
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp garlic, minced
¼ cup of water
½ tsp cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp chili powder
Salt, to taste
1 Tbsp lime juice
¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped
Limes in quarter
3 jalapenos, sliced thinly (optional)
1 avocado thinly sliced
1/4 cup cotija
Directions
Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a medium pan over medium heat.
Add the onion and the bell peppers cook for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until caramelized. Turn heat down if browning too quickly. In a different pan (if you have one, if not use the same pan), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat and place the jalapenos and cook each side for a couple of minutes leave in the pan until ready to use.
Meanwhile, cook quinoa according to package instructions. Keep covered once done.
Heat the last teaspoon of olive oil in small pot over medium heat.
Add garlic and stir for about 1 minute. Add in the beans, ¼ cup of water, cumin, ground coriander, chili powder, and salt to taste. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Fluff quinoa with a fork and stir in cilantro, lime juice, and salt to taste.
Serve quinoa topped with onions, bell peppers, beans, jalapenos, avocado, cotija, limes
Chicken Fried Quinoa with Carrots and Peas
Servings: 2-3
Ingredients
2 Tbsp sesame oil
2 Tbsp avocado oil (or coconut oil, vegetable oil…)
3 large eggs, lightly beaten and salted
¾ cup frozen peas, thawed
¾ cups carrots, diced
1½ tsp fresh grated ginger
2 to 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 ½ cups of cooked chicken (I used chicken thighs)
3 green onions, trimmed and sliced into thin rounds
3 cups of Ancient Harvest Harmony Quinoa, cooked
2 Tbsp tamari
Salt and pepper, optional and to taste
Directions
To a large non-stick skillet or wok, add the oils, once the oils are heated up add the eggs, stir and cook quickly over medium-high heat, set aside.
Add the peas, carrots, green onions, and cook for about 2 minutes, or until vegetables begin to soften, stir intermittently.
Add the garlic and the ginger cook for 1 minute, stir intermittently.
Add the chicken, quinoa, and eggs, evenly drizzle with soy sauce, optional salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Cook for about 2 minutes, serve immediately.
Tomato & Basil Quinoa Risotto
Servings: 3-4
Ingredients
1 ¼ cups of Ancient Harvest Traditional Quinoa (raw)
3 ½ cups of chicken stock
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp shallot minced
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and chopped
¼ cup of fresh basil leaves, chopped
2 cups of baby spinach, chopped
1 tbsp lemon juice
¼ cup of grated parmesan
Salt & pepper to taste
Directions
In a large, heavy-bottomed pot (or pan with high edges) add the olive oil and turn to medium heat.
Once hot, add the shallot and stir every few minutes for 5-6 minutes until the shallots just start to brown and are very soft.
Add the garlic and stir for 30-60 seconds, until fragrant.
Add the quinoa to the pan and let toast for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
Slowly pour in the chicken stock half a cup at a time and stir together. Let simmer for a couple of minutes until the broth is absorbed, stirring constantly. Continue to add the broth after it’s being absorbed and simmer for about 15-20 minutes until mostly absorbed. Stir every 2-3 minutes. If boiling or cooking too quickly reduce heat slightly.
Once the quinoa is cooked and the broth mostly absorbed, add the basil, spinach and tomatoes stir, and let cook for another 3-5 minutes. Add the salt and pepper to taste and finish with the parmesan. Serve immediately.
Vegan Quinoa Sushi
Servings: 6-8 rolls
Ingredients
¾ C dry Ancient Harvest Traditional Quinoa
1.5 C + 2 TBSP water
1.5 TBSP rice vinegar
1 TBSP Sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 large red bell pepper
2 medium to large avocados
1 large cucumber
10 nori sushi sheets
Coconut aminos, tamari, or soy sauce for dipping (optional)
Sesame seeds (optional)
Helpful Tools:
Bamboo mat (a non-stick flexible pastry mat can work too)
Sushi knife
Marinade brush
Rice paddle
I have this sushi kit here which I love.
Directions
Combine sugar, salt, and vinegar in a small bowl and stir until dissolved. Set aside
In a large pot lid, combine ¾ cup Ancient Harvest Traditional Quinoa and 1.5 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Cook for 15 minutes until quinoa is fluffy and translucent. Fluff with a fork and pour into a ceramic or glass mixing bowl. Immediately refrigerate.
While quinoa is cooling, wash the cucumber and bell pepper. Slice cucumber, bell pepper, and avocado into long, vertical strips. The bell pepper and cucumber strips should measure about ¼ of an inch in thickness, or a ½ an inch depending on preference.
Prepare your sushi rolling station by laying out the bamboo mat, adding 2 tbsp of water to a ramekin, place veggies in organized piles on the cutting board. Set marinade brush next to a ramekin of water.
Once quinoa is back to about room temperature or cool, add vinegar mixture and stir in.
Use rice paddle to add quinoa to the nori sushi sheets, applying a generous, even layer of quinoa, leaving about an inch of space on the bottom free of quinoa to help with rolling. Use photo for reference. Leave the top 1/3 of the nori sheet free of quinoa.
Add veggie strips on top of the quinoa.
Dip marinade brush in a ramekin of water and paint the water on the top edge (about an inch) of the nori so it will stick when you roll it.
Use the bamboo mat to roll the nori from the bottom up to the top where the water has been brushed on.
Cut and serve! Optional: top with sesame seeds and serve with dipping sauce.
Vegan Quinoa Paella
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Ancient Harvest Traditional Quinoa
1 can chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 red pepper
1 cup chopped mushrooms
1 can artichoke hearts
1 cup chopped carrots
1 small onion
3 cloves minced garlic
3 cups vegetable broth
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp saffron
optional: 1/2 tbsp turmeric
salt to taste
lemon, parsley, and olives to top
Directions
Heat your shallow paella pan or skillet on medium heat and add the olive oil, onion, and garlic.
Add the chopped carrot and chopped pepper, along with one cup of vegetable broth.
Add the sliced mushrooms and artichoke hearts (cut those in half).
Add the peas, tomatoes, tomato paste, and stir.
In a small bowl, mix the saffron with 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable broth.
Add the quinoa to the pan, along with the saffron, paprika, turmeric, and salt.
Give the paella one last stir to make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed. After this, DO NOT stir again!
Cover the paella and cook it on high heat for 7 minutes. Then lower the heat to low/medium and cook for another 10 minutes.
Finally, remove your paella from the heat. Top with fresh parsley, olives, and lemon wedges.
