Latin Quinoa Food

LENTIL AND QUINOA SOUP

Steps:

• Pulse the onion and carrots in a food processor until chopped into small pieces. Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion-carrot mixture, 1 teaspoon dried mint and the cumin seeds. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables start to soften, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes. Add to the pot and stir until they start to lose their shape, about 2 minutes. Add 7 cups water, the lentils, quinoa, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover and bring to a boil, then uncover and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook until the lentils are just tender, about 25 minutes (thin with 1 to 2 tablespoons water, if necessary). Season with salt and pepper.
• A few minutes before the soup is done, finely chop the garlic. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until it just starts to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the red pepper flakes and remaining 1/2 teaspoon dried mint; remove from the heat.
• Divide the soup among bowls. Thin the labneh with 1 to 2 tablespoons water and add a dollop to each bowl. Drizzle the garlic butter on top.

LATIN QUINOA

Steps:

• Toast quinoa in a large dry non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring until it crackles and becomes aromatic, about 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer quinoa to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly, until water runs clear.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and red pepper and cook, stirring often, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add green chilies and garlic; cook, stirring for about 1 minute.
• Add chili powder and cumin; stir, cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Add the quinoa, black beans and broth; bring to a simmer. Add dried cilantro if using.
• Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Add pumpkin seeds, scallions, fresh cilantro (if using), lime juice and salt to the quinoa; mix gently to fluff quinoa and serve.
• NOTE: I buy organic roasted pumpkin seeds pre-packaged at the grocery store. To toast pumpkin seeds, toast in a small dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for 3 to 5 minutes, or until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove immediately from pan and cool.

QUINOA WITH LATIN FLAVORS

Steps:

• Heat a large dry skillet over medium heat and add quinoa, stirring to toast, until it crackles and becomes a bit brownish and aromatic. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse under cold running water. Drain.
• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, stirring often, about 2 or 3 minutes. Add chiles and garlic. Cook stirring for 30 seconds.
• Add the quinoa and broth to the onion mixture. Bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook until the quinoa is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Add toasted pepitas, cilantro, scallions, lime juice and salt to the quinoa. Fluff with a fork and stir gently to mix.
• NOTE: Pepitas are hulled pumpkin seeds. They are somewhat green and may be found in health-food stores or Latin markets. If you can't find pepitas, I suppose shelled raw sunflower kernels would be a good substitute in this recipe.
• NOTE: To toast nuts, heat a small skillet over medium heat. Put nuts in the dry pan and stir or toss/flip constantly, until nuts just begin to darken a bit and become aromatic. It's easy to go from brown to burnt really quickly, so keep an eye on them. When done, remove from the heat quickly and put into a different dish that is cool.