Autumn Quinoa Food

AUTUMN QUINOA

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan. Sauté the garlic and onions with the olive oil and rosemary, until tender. About 3 minutes. Add quinoa and lemon juice to the pan. Sauté the quinoa for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to evenly toast the quinoa. Pour on the white wine and allow it to cook off, continuing to cook the quinoa for another minute. Add two cups of water and bring the quinoa to a boil, then simmer on low with the pan covered for 20 minutes or until the quinoa looks fluffy and there is no extra water.
• Add chopped apple, baby spinach, cubes of cheddar and balsamic vinegar and mix together until cheddar has melted and the greens wilted. Remove from heat and serve.

AUTUMN LAYERED SALAD WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND QUINOA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans out on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool, and roughly chop. Turn the oven up to 425 degrees F.
• Transfer the pecans to a medium bowl. Add 1/3 cup of the vinegar, the mustard, honey, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper, and whisk to combine. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly, until blended into a vinaigrette.
• Spread the squash out on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the pecan vinaigrette, sprinkle with a large pinch of salt and toss to combine. Roast until the squash is fork-tender and browned in spots, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool. (The squash can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Meanwhile, combine the quinoa and 1 cup water in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer, cover, adjust the heat to medium-low and cook until all the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan. (The quinoa can be made and refrigerated up to 2 days ahead.)
• Put the collards in a medium bowl, and add the remaining 3 tablespoons vinegar and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Rub the vinegar and salt into the collards, and let sit until the greens are tender, about 30 minutes, tossing and massaging again about halfway through.
• Combine the goat cheese, parsley and piquante peppers in a small bowl.
• Using a straight-sided 3-quart tall glass bowl for 1 large salad or four 16-ounce wide-mouth glass jars for 4 individual salads, make a first layer with the quinoa, then add the following in separate layers: half the collard greens, the roasted squash, the goat cheese mixture, the apples, the ham, and the remaining collard greens. Top with the sweet potato chips. (The salad, except for the chips, can be put together, covered and refrigerated up to 2 hours ahead; top with the chips right before serving.)
• If making 1 salad, just before serving, transfer it to a large bowl, toss with the remaining pecan vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. If making 4 salads, add vinaigrette to each jar, season with salt and pepper, cover with the lid and shake to coat.

WARM QUINOA SALAD WITH ROASTED AUTUMN VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400°F and arrange a rack in the middle.
• Place the sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, carrot, parsnip, turnip, oil, and measured salt and pepper in a large bowl and toss to combine. Transfer the vegetables to a baking sheet and arrange in an even layer; set the bowl aside (no need to wipe it out).
• Roast the vegetables, stirring every 5 minutes, until they're tender and cooked through, about 18 to 20 minutes. Meanwhile, cook the quinoa.
• Place the quinoa in a medium saucepan, cover with about 2 to 3 inches of cold water, season with salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, uncovered, until the white outer casings on the quinoa have popped, revealing translucent little beads, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the dressing.
• For the dressing and to assemble:.
• Place all of the ingredients except the cilantro in the reserved bowl from the veggies and whisk to combine; set aside.
• When the quinoa is ready, drain it through a fine-mesh strainer and add it to the bowl with the dressing. Add the roasted vegetables and toss to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with the cilantro (if using) and serve immediately or at room temperature.

AUTUMN QUINOA & BUTTER BEANS

Steps:

• Melt the margarine in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add the onion and ginger, and cook, stirring, until the onion is softened. Stir in the orange juice, water, honey, salt, coriander, cardamom, and nutmeg; bring to a boil.
• Stir in the sweet potato and squash; bring to a boil. Cook, uncovered, 7 minutes. Stir in the butter beans and quinoa, and return to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, 15 minutes.
• Stir in the cranberries; simmer, covered, 5 minutes longer.