Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf (Print version)

Vibrant quinoa with roasted seasonal vegetables, aromatic herbs, and zesty lemon finish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains & Base

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

→ Roasting 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, plus extra for skillet

→ Aromatics & Spices

09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Fresh Finishes

14 - ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
15 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint (optional)
16 - Juice of ½ lemon

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F for roasting vegetables.
02 - On a large baking sheet, combine bell pepper, zucchini, carrot, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
03 - Roast vegetables in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until golden and tender.
04 - While vegetables roast, 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 cooked quinoa with a fork to separate grains.
06 - In a large skillet, heat a small drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in cumin, thyme, and smoked paprika until aromatic.
07 - Add cooked quinoa and roasted vegetables to the skillet. Toss gently to combine and warm through for 2-3 minutes.
08 - Remove from heat. Add parsley, mint if using, and lemon juice. Toss well and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
09 - Serve warm or at room temperature as a main dish or hearty side.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The roasted vegetables develop a natural sweetness that perfectly balances the earthy quinoa
  • Its one of those rare dishes that actually tastes better the next day for lunch
  • You can customize it with whatever vegetables are wilting in your crisper drawer
02 -
  • Never skip rinsing the quinoa or your pilaf will have an unpleasant bitter taste
  • Do not overcrowd the baking sheet or the vegetables will steam instead of roast
  • The resting time after cooking quinoa is crucial for perfect texture
03 -
  • Cut all vegetables to similar sizes so they roast evenly
  • Let the roasted vegetables cool slightly before combining with hot quinoa to prevent mushiness
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