Baked Quinoa Casserole With Peruvian Potatoes And Cheese Food

BAKED QUINOA CASSEROLE RECIPE

Steps:

• Bring 1 ½ cups of water and ¼ tsp salt to a boil.
• Add quinoa and return to a boil.
• Once water is boiling turn the heat down to a simmer.
• Simmer on low for 15 minutes.
• After 15 minutes turn off the heat, stir the quinoa, and return the lid to the pot.
• Let the quinoa sit covered for 15 more minutes.
• After 15 minutes, fluff the quinoa with a spatula and it's ready to use in this baked quinoa recipe.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
• Add 1 TBS olive oil to a 10" round cast iron skillet.
• Add sausage to the skillet and cook until it just starts to brown.
• Add onion, bell pepper and minced garlic and cook for 5-8 minutes until the onions are translucent.
• Remove from heat and add apples, stir to combine.
• Add canned tomatoes, garlic salt, 1 cup cheese and milk and stir until combined and the cheese is melted (you may need to return the pan to the heat source and cook on low heat to get the cheese to melt).
• Add cooked quinoa and stir until combined.
• Top with remaining 1 cup of cheese
• Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted.
• Serve warm with a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.

BAKED QUINOA WITH SPINACH AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Oil a 2-quart gratin or baking dish.
• Heat a medium frying pan or a wide saucepan over medium-high heat. Wash the spinach and without spinning dry, add to the pan and wilt in the liquid left on the leaves after washing. You may have to do this in 2 batches. As soon as the spinach wilts, remove from the heat and rinse with cold water. Squeeze dry and chop. Set aside.
• Wipe the pan dry and heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in it over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and stir with the onion until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the spinach and season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir in the quinoa, the onion and spinach mixture, the Gruyère, and the sage. Add freshly ground pepper and stir the mixture together. Scrape into the gratin dish. Sprinkle the Parmesan over the top and drizzle on the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Place in the oven and bake until nicely browned on top, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat, allow to sit for about 5 minutes, and serve.

PERUVIAN BAKED QUINOA AND CHEESE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add leak and bell pepper; cover, and cook 5 minutes, or until tender. Stir in quinoa, garlic, and sesame seeds, and cook, uncovered, 3 to 4 minutes, or until quinoa grains turn opaque.
• 2. Add 3 cups water, and season with the chicken granules. Taste for salt and add more granules or salt as desired. Cover, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer 3 or 4 minutes more, or until most liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat, and let stand for 5 minutes.
• 3. Preheat oven to 350°F Coat 13 X 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Whisk together eggs and milk in large bowl. Fold in quinoa mixture and 80% of the cheese. Transfer to a prepared baking dish, level contents, and add remaining 20% of the cheese to the top, and bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until browned around the edges and top.
• 4. Jim's Additional Step: Once removed from the oven, sprinkle top with additional shredded cheese. Lay a piece of aluminum foil over the top and set on stove top for a few additional minutes. The goal is to allow the additional cheese to melt as a second layer of melted cheese on the top of the hot casserole. Don't worry, the casserole will retain all the heat required to melt the addition cheese - don't go wild here - just a nice additional thin melted topping. A little bright red paprika on this layer would also add some additional color. Enjoy!
• Suggest for a smaller serving that you just make ½ of everything and place in a small 7" X 9" pan. This is the perfect size for a smaller meal and will cut into very nice 4 piece serving pieces.
• We both loved this dish and will make it again.
• Recipe comes from Ralph's (Grocery Store) Optimum Wellness Magazine March/April 2009, page 10. Recipe has been modified as noted above.
• Quinoa has been grown for more than 5000 years...in the Andes Mountains of Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Bolivia, where it is a primary food source. "Quinoa is unique because it contains eight essential amino acids and is a complete protein in itself." A 2007 study at Osaka City University in Japan showed that quinoa is high in antioxidants, making it an exceptionally heart healthy snack. Try substituting quinoa in recipes that call for rice, couscous, or pasta.