Zesty Quinoa Food

ZESTY QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine ingredients.
• Refrigerate 30 min.

SPICY QUINOA WITH SWEET POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the quinoa in a bowl and cover with water; drain. Repeat twice; drain well. (This will help remove bitterness.) Transfer the quinoa to a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir constantly until the quinoa is dry, about 8 minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, 3/4 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, then cover the pan, leaving the lid slightly ajar to let steam escape; reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the red onion and garlic and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the chile powder, coriander and cumin and cook, stirring, until the spices darken, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, the jalapeno, sweet potatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender and the liquid is almost absorbed, about 15 minutes.
• Add the sweet potato mixture to the quinoa, then add the cilantro and lime juice and toss; season with salt.

SPICY QUINOA

Steps:

• Cook the quinoa according to pack instructions, adding the vegetable stock cube to the cooking water. Leave to cool, then break up any clumps with a fork. Mix through remaining ingredients and serve.

ZESTY MEXICAN QUINOA SALAD

Steps:

• Fluff quinoa with fork. Combine beans, chicken, corn, bell pepper, lime juice, cilantro and garlic.
• Add to quinoa. Mix gently but thoroughly.
• Add desired amount of salsa, salt and pepper.
• Garnish with avocado slices. Chill and dig in!

ZESTY CONFETTI SALAD WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa well. Combine with 3/4 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed and holes have formed in surface of quinoa. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature or cooler.
• Dry toast pepitas by putting them in a large skillet or frying pan and shaking over high heat until they begin to pop and "dance". Remove from heat.
• In food processor, combine pepitas, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice concentrate, olive oil, chili powder, cumin and salt. Blitz until a rough paste forms. (It looks a little funny at this stage--don't worry!).
• In a very large bowl, combine veggies, quinoa and sesame seeds and toss. Add citrus-pepita dressing and mix well to coat. Chill at least one hour; overnight is ideal.

SWEET POTATO & BLACK BEAN CHILLI WITH ZESTY QUINOA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Toss the potatoes with half the oil and some seasoning on a baking tray. Bake for 30 mins, tossing halfway through cooking, until tender. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a pan, add the onion and cook for 5 mins until soft, then add the garlic, chilli and coriander stalks. Cook everything for a further 2-3 mins, stirring to prevent the garlic from burning. Sprinkle in the spices, stirring for 1 min more, until aromatic. Stir in the chipotle paste, yeast extract, tomatoes and half a can of water, swirling it around the tin to wash out all the bits of tomato. Simmer the sauce, uncovered, while the sweet potato is cooking, adding a splash more water if it looks too dry.
• Add the sweet potato, black beans and seasoning to the chilli. Bubble for 5 mins, then taste and adjust the seasoning with a squeeze of lime and a sprinkle of sugar if it needs it. Meanwhile, stir the lime zest, a squeeze of lime juice, the coriander leaves and the pumpkin seeds into the quinoa. Toss the avocado in the remaining lime juice as soon as you've cut it - this will prevent it turning brown. To serve, divide the quinoa between plates or bowls, top with the chilli and a pile of avocado.