Quinoa With Leeks Herbs Food

QUINOA WITH LEEK

Steps:

• Cut leek in half lengthwise and rinse thoroughly. Cut white and light green portions into 1/2 inch cubes.
• Trim fennel, rinse, and cut into 1/2 inch cubes. Peel the garlic and chop finely.
• Rinse quinoa in a sieve under cold water until water runs clear.
• Heat the oil in a pot. Add leek, fennel and garlic and fry until light brown while stirring, 4-5 minutes.
• Pour in vegetable broth, bring to a boil and cook for 3 minutes.
• Stir in quinoa, cover and cook on low heat for about 12 minutes.
• At the end of cooking time, fluff quinoa with a fork and season with salt and pepper before serving.

LEEK-TOMATO QUINOA

Steps:

• Place quinoa in strainer. Rinse under cold running water until water runs clear; drain. Mix quinoa, 2 cups water, and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until quinoa is just tender and almost all water is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Drain. Set aside. (Quinoa can be made 1 day ahead. Cool, then cover; chill.)
• Melt butter in large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add leeks; sauté until beginning to soften, about 5 minutes. Add broth. Cover; simmer until leeks are tender, about 5 minutes. Add quinoa and oil; stir until heated through, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, onions, basil, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
• *A tiny, bead-shaped, ivory-colored grain available at natural foods stores.

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.

SEARED AND CARVED BEEF TENDERLOIN WITH HERB QUINOA, POACHED LEEKS AND WILD MUSHROOM REDUCTION

Steps:

• For the Beef Tenderloin: Season the tournedos on both sides with the salt and pepper. Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spray with nonstick spray for 1 second. Sear the filets for 2 minutes on each side and reserve in a warm place.
• For the Herb Quinoa: Combine the garlic, shallots, rosemary and thyme with 2 ounces of the chicken stock and reduce until the shallots are almost translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the quinoa, the remaining stock, salt, pepper and bay leaf and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and cook until all of the liquid has been absorbed, about 25 minutes. Add the sherry vinegar, parsley and chives and mix to incorporate.
• For the Poached Leeks: Combine all ingredients in a shallow saucepan and poach over medium heat for 30 minutes. Allow the leeks to cool in the liquid.
• For the Wild Mushroom Reduction: Soak the dried mushrooms in 1/2 cup of the veal stock for 1 hour. Strain, reserving the stock. Chop the rehydrated porcini mushrooms. Combine the garlic, shallots and porcini mushrooms in medium sauce pot with the 1/2 cup reserved veal stock. Cook until almost dry. Add the wild mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms release their water, about 10 minutes. Add the Worcestershire sauce and Madeira and cook for 1 minute. Add 4 cups of the veal stock and simmer 5 minutes.
• Combine the browned wheat flour with the remaining 1/2 cup of veal stock. Turn the sauce up to medium-high and rapidly stir in the flour stock mixture. Add the salt, pepper, thyme and parsley to finish.
• Lower heat and simmer gently for 30 minutes.
• Serve the filets with quinoa, leeks and mushroom sauce.

QUINOA WITH LEEKS AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the broth, water, and 1/4 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil.
• Stir in quinoa.
• Cover and lower heat; simmer 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
• Stir in parsley, 1 1/2 teaspoons oil, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
• Remove from heat; keep warm.
• Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a medium nonstick skillet over med-high heat.
• Add in leek; stir/saute 6 minutes or until wilted.
• Add in mushrooms, bell pepper, and wine; cook 2 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
• Place 1 cup quinoa mixture in each of 4 shallow bowls; top each with 1 1/4 cup vegetable mixture and 2 tablespoons walnuts.