Tastenexa
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Mediterranean
Herb Quinoa Pilaf
28 min total8 prep20 cook4 servings210 cal
VeganVegetarianFlexitarian
Fluffy quinoa simmered in vegetable broth with sautéed onion and finished with fresh parsley — a light, protein-packed grain side that works with almost any main.
Ingredients
pantry
- 200 gquinoa
- 450 mlvegetable broth
- 1.5 tbspolive oil
- 0.5 tspsalt
- 0.25 tspblack pepper
produce
- 0.5onion
- 3 tbspparsley
Steps
- Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold water for about 30 seconds.
- Finely dice the onion and chop the parsley.
- Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent.
- Add the rinsed quinoa to the saucepan and stir for 1 minute to toast lightly.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and add the salt. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
- Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork, stir in the chopped parsley and black pepper, and serve warm.
Tips
- Rinse the quinoa before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating.
- Let the quinoa rest off the heat for 5 minutes before fluffing so the grains separate cleanly.
- Toasting the quinoa briefly with the onion adds a subtle nutty flavor.
- Stir in the parsley at the end so it stays vibrant and fresh.
