Flavorful Spanish Quinoa Medley

Recipe Collection: Dinner

Flavorful Spanish Quinoa Medley elevates your meals with a vegetarian dish bursting with vibrant flavors and textures. This Mexican-inspired recipe is a protein-packed alternative to traditional rice, featuring aromatic vegetables and spices that create a delightful balance. Perfect as a side for tacos or as a filling for burritos, this quinoa medley is versatile and satisfying.

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Overview

This Zesty Spanish-Style Quinoa is a vibrant and flavorful dish that serves as a protein-rich alternative to traditional Spanish rice. Enhanced with aromatic vegetables and spices, this dish is perfect as a side for a Mexican meal or as a filling for burritos. With a delightful balance of spices and a hint of smokiness, this quinoa dish is sure to impress.

Diet Type

Vegetarian

Allergies

None

Cuisine

Mexican

Serving Size: 8

Cooking Time: 60 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) vegetable oil
• 1 Cup uncooked quinoa, drained
• 1 Medium onion, minced
• 1 Small green bell pepper, minced
• 3 Cloves garlic, minced
• 2.5 Cups water
• 1 8 Ounces (oz) can tomato sauce
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) chili powder
• 0.25 Teaspoon (tsp) garlic powder
• 0.25 Teaspoon (tsp) ground cumin
• 1 Teaspoon (tsp) smoked paprika
• 0.5 Teaspoon (tsp) kosher salt
• 0.25 Teaspoon (tsp) freshly ground black pepper
• 0.5 Teaspoon (tsp) dried oregano
• 1 Tablespoon (tbsp) fresh lime juice
• 2 Tablespoons (tbsp) fresh cilantro, minced

Steps

1. Prepare the Quinoa: Rinse the quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bitterness. Drain well.
2. Toast the Aromatics: In a large saucepan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Add the quinoa, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté for 5-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onion is tender and the quinoa is lightly toasted and aromatic.
3. Add Liquids and Spices: Stir in the water and tomato sauce. Season with chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and oregano. Mix well to combine.
4. Simmer the Quinoa: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover the saucepan and let it simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
5. Finish with Freshness: Once cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the fresh lime juice and chopped cilantro for a burst of freshness.
6. Serve: Fluff the quinoa with a fork and serve warm as a side dish or use it as a filling for burritos. Enjoy the zesty and aromatic flavors of this Spanish-style quinoa!

Enjoy your homemade Flavorful Spanish Quinoa Medley!