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Looking for a flavorful quinoa recipe? Look no further!
This quinoa salad combines mini sweet roasted peppers soaked in olive oil and garlic and topped with crumbled feta cheese.
Roasted peppers have always been a part of my diet. I remember going to the local farmers market when I was a kid. My parents would be bushels of bell peppers each week. My mom would then spend her days in front of the outdoor grill watching the peppers blister and char.
She would painstakingly peel each pepper then toss them on lots of garlic and olive oil. We would eat them as is or with slices of homemade bread. They were so good. That memory is sort of the inspiration behind this easy quinoa recipe.
WHERE IS THE QUINOA AND ROASTED PEPPER RECIPE?
If you’d rather skip cooking tips, suggestions, handy substitutions, related recipe ideas – and get straight to the Quinoa and Roasted Pepper Recipe– simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.
How To Roast Peppers
There a number of ways you can roast peppers. You can place them directly on grill grates and roast on a grill, you can place them on a sheet pan and roast them in the oven, you can roast them on a grill pan on your stove top and you can hold them over flame on a gas stove (not a recommended method, but works in a pinch). Regardless of which method you use, the instructions are similar. If you roasted peppers on a grill or a grill pan, place the peppers on the grates, cover, and rotate the peppers often. The peppers are ready when they are charred and blistered.
To roast peppers in the oven, place the peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet, turning often.
For direct heat, hold the peppers with tongs and hold over the flame. Again, I do not really recommend this method.
How To Peel Roasted Peppers
When the peppers have sufficiently blacked remove them from the heat and place them in a sealed container. A paper bag works well or a bowl covered in plastic wrap. Once the peppers are cool to the touch, the skins should peel right off.
How To Make Quinoa With Roasted Peppers
This recipe uses mini peppers but honestly, any pepper would work. I used a grill pan to roast the peppers and tented the pan to trap in the steam. Use any method that is easiest for you. Because of the size of the peppers, they will not take long to roast. These mini peppers could be a little hard to peel because of their size, if a little skin is left on, it is ok.
While the peppers are cooling, prepare your quinoa. I used chicken broth to prepare my quinoa, however, veggie broth or water will be just fine.
Toss the peppers with the quinoa and make a quick dressing. Pour the dressing over the peppers, add feta and stir. And there you go! This is a super easy, healthy side dish that will go with anything you serve with it. To make a meal out of this, toss in your favorite protein and call it a day!
Need more ways with quinoa? Try this Shrimp Caesar Salad with Quinoa, Quinoa Tabbouleh,Blueberry and Kale Quinoa Salad.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups quinoa
- 3 cloves garlic, divided, minced
- 1 package mini bell peppers
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice
- salt, pepper to taste
- 4 oz Feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons Italian leaf parsley
Instructions
- For the quinoa: Bring 3 cups chicken broth and 1 clove of garlic to a boil. Stir in quinoa, cover and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 15-20 or until chicken broth is absorbed.
- Meanwhile, spray a skillet or stove top grill pan with cooking spray. Arrange peppers in a single layer and cook until peppers have blistered on each side and have softened. Peel peppers if desired.
- Toss together the quinoa and the peppers.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Pour over the quinoa and stir well.
- Sprinkle feta cheese over quinoa and top with parsely.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1
Amount Per ServingCalories 198Total Fat 14gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 19mgSodium 737mgCarbohydrates 12gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 6g
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FAQs
Lemon Herb Quinoa: This is one of my go-to side dishes to serve with meat. It is made by cooking quinoa with onion and garlic and then mixing it with lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh parsley. Quinoa Lentil recipe: Cooking quinoa and green lentils together is a great way to flavor otherwise tasteless quinoa.
How long does quinoa salad last in the fridge? ›
Make ahead: The salad can be made up to 1 day ahead and stored in the refrigerator. Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
What to eat with quinoa? ›
Quinoa's got the carbs covered, so you'll likely want to add some additional protein (eggs, lentils, beans, tofu, chicken), a fat (olive oil, nuts, butter, cheese), and, ideally, some kind of fruit or vegetable (broccoli, berries, squash, spinach).
Can eat quinoa everyday? ›
You can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day. You should avoid eating it if you experience stomachache, itchiness or vomiting after consuming it. A study by Harvard Public School of Health has reported that eating a bowl of quinoa daily is healthy and without any side effects.
Is quinoa healthier than rice? ›
Quinoa is rich in both fiber and protein, contains a much higher amount of other nutrients, and has a similar fluffy texture to the rice. A cup of quinoa contains twice more protein and about 5 g more fiber than white rice. Quinoa contains fewer calories and carbohydrates than white rice.
What happens if you don t wash quinoa? ›
The whole debate started thanks to saponin, a naturally occurring chemical that coats every tiny grain of quinoa. It's there for good reason—to ward off insects—but it has a strong, unpleasant taste. Rinsing the quinoa gets rid of the saponin and thus its bitter flavor—great.
Is quinoa good for your gut? ›
Studies suggest quinoa may improve gut health by enhancing the diversity of beneficial gut bacteria and reducing the inflammatory symptoms of conditions like colitis. Acting as a prebiotic, quinoa supplies the fuel for beneficial gut bacteria, allowing them to thrive.
Can I eat 4 day old quinoa? ›
A rival to rice or barley, quinoa can be cooked in batches as your carb of choice for the week. This way, you can store the cooked quinoa in the fridge for up to five days.
Should quinoa be rinsed before roasting? ›
Most commercially sold quinoa has already undergone a process to remove the coating, and this information is usually indicated on the package. If it's not mentioned, or if you buy quinoa in bulk without packaging, you'll definitely want to rinse it.
What makes quinoa taste better? ›
Strong flavors like onions or spices work too. In a soup, you can add spices and other flavors like celery, carrot, etc. We make an amazing fried quinoa recipe that includes lots of green and white onions, which covers up the flavor of the quinoa. It tastes much better than if we'd cooked it in plain water.
You can eat them raw once they've sprouted. Use quinoa sprouts as a gluten-free alternative to grains such as couscous and rice. Sprouted quinoa is perfect for making healthy salads, taco's, pilaf's, sushi and soups. You can stuff vegetables with it and much more.
What is the best time to eat quinoa? ›
Quinoa can be consumed anytime – at breakfast, lunch or dinner. But it is best to eat healthy food like quinoa before going to bed. It induces sleep, because it relaxes the muscles, due to its high magnesium and protein content. “One can eat one-two cups of cooked quinoa in a day.
What makes quinoa better? ›
The fiber in quinoa can also help with cholesterol and blood sugar levels, lowering your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Quinoa is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent damage to your heart and other organs. A diet high in antioxidants has been linked with a decreased risk of heart disease.
Why do I feel good after eating quinoa? ›
Because quinoa is high in fiber and protein, which are nutrients that help promote satiety, choosing quinoa over grains lower in fiber and protein, such as white rice, may help you feel more satisfied after meals. That said, quinoa is a good source of protein and can help you meet your daily protein needs.
Should I toast or rinse quinoa? ›
If yours has already been rinsed you can skip this step. To wash quinoa, place it in a fine-meshed strainer and rinse it under cool water for 30 - 45 seconds. Allow the excess water to drain out. Toast the quinoa: Place the quinoa in a large pan and turn on the heat to medium.
