Herby Apricot Quinoa Food

HERBED QUINOA

Steps:

• For the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, add the chicken stock, lemon juice and quinoa. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pan and cook until all the liquid is absorbed, about 12 to 15 minutes.
• For the dressing: In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, lemon juice, basil, parsley, thyme, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the quinoa and toss until all the ingredients are coated. Transfer the quinoa to a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, and serve.

QUINOA SALAD WITH APRICOTS, BASIL AND PISTACHIOS

Steps:

• Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan over high heat. Stir in the quinoa. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid is just absorbed and the quinoa is moist and nearly tender, about 15 minutes.
• Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl and immediately stir in the oil, apricots, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Set aside to cool slightly, about 20 minutes, stirring a couple times. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
• When the quinoa is cool and ready to serve, stir in the arugula, basil, lemon juice and pistachios. Add salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with the goat cheese and serve.

VEGETABLE TAGINE WITH APRICOT QUINOA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and fry the onion over a medium heat for 3 mins. Add the garlic and butternut squash, and cook for a further 7 mins.
• Add the remaining vegetables and continue to fry for 3 mins before adding the chickpeas, tomatoes and stock, along with the spices and seasoning. Simmer for 30 mins, uncovered. Meanwhile, put 750ml water in a small saucepan, bring to a simmer, then add the quinoa and cook for 20 mins. When cooked, stir in the apricots and almonds, plus a pinch of salt.
• To make the tahini dressing, whisk together all the ingredients in a small bowl. Season with a pinch of salt.
• Serve the quinoa with the tagine, and drizzle the tahini dressing over the top. Scatter over some chopped coriander and mint and the pomegranate seeds, if using, to finish.

LEMON HERB QUINOA

Steps:

• Place the quinoa in a large bowl.
• Fill with cold water.
• Drain into a strainer and repeat the rinsing and draining 4 more times.
• Over medium-high heat, heat the oil in a 2-quart saucepan.
• Add the rinsed quinoa and cook, stirring, until the quinoa makes cracking and popping noises, about 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir in the water, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary.
• Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, covered, 15 minutes.
• Stir in the parsley, lemon juice, salt, lemon rind, and pepper.
• Simmer, covered, 5 minutes longer.
• Fluff with a fork.

HERBY QUINOA, FETA & POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the quinoa following pack instructions - it should be tender but with a little bite. Drain well and spread over a platter or wide, shallow bowl to cool quickly and steam dry.
• When the quinoa is just about cool stir through all of the remaining ingredients with plenty of seasoning.