Source: Grinchh, AdobeStockWhat to do with well-known grains is clear to everyone. But quinoa, to this day, remains an exotic ingredient for many. And that's a shame, because it's an excellent base for a wide variety of side dishes. Today, we want to offer you a large collection of recipes for inspiration. By the way, quinoa is also very healthy – a true superfood!
1. Quinoa Porridge with Water
Source: street-foods.ruYou can add a little grated cheese or chopped herbs to the cooked porridge.
You will need: 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water, 3 tbsp vegetable oil, spices.
Preparation: Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the rinsed quinoa, and sauté for a few minutes, stirring. Pour in cold water, bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, covered. Season to taste and cook for another 5 minutes.
2. Quinoa with Spinach and Eggs
Source: mixyfotos.ruExotic food lovers can also add curry and Himalayan salt.
You will need: 1/2 cup quinoa, 250 g spinach, 1/2 bunch green onions, 2 eggs, spices.
Preparation: Cook quinoa according to package instructions and season. Chop the spinach and green onions, and sauté them until soft in a little oil. Add the quinoa and beaten eggs, season, and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring.
3. Quinoa with Tomatoes
Source: vego-kolbasa.ruFor a brighter aroma, garnish the side dish with chopped basil or other herbs.
You will need: 1 cup quinoa, 2 cloves garlic, 10-15 cherry tomatoes, 2 tbsp olive oil, spices.
Preparation: Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Lightly sauté cherry tomatoes and minced garlic in olive oil, add quinoa, season, and cook for another 5 minutes, stirring.
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4. Quinoa with Mushrooms
Source: dzen.ruThis hearty side dish is also good as a standalone meal.
You will need: 1 cup quinoa, 250 g mushrooms, 1 clove garlic, 1/4 bunch parsley, 1 tsp lemon juice, olive oil, spices.
Preparation: Cook quinoa until done, add a few spoons of olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, parsley, and spices. Slice and sauté mushrooms until cooked, add quinoa to the pan, heat everything for 1-2 minutes, and remove from heat.
5. Quinoa Patties
Source: krasivoe-foto.ruAn extraordinary Lenten dish that can also serve as a side.
You will need: 100 g quinoa, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, spices.
Preparation: Cook quinoa, then mince and sauté the onion and garlic until done. Mix everything together, season, and form small patties with wet hands. Press them firmly so they hold their shape. Fry the patties in a pan on both sides.
6. Quinoa with Vegetables and Cheese in the Oven
Source: postila.ruAny brined or hard cheese of your choice will work.
You will need: 1 cup quinoa, 2 cups water, 5 cherry tomatoes, 1 bell pepper, 1 onion, 100 g mushrooms, 70 g carrots, 80 g Adyghe cheese, spices, olive oil.
Preparation: Roughly chop vegetables and mushrooms. Rinse quinoa, place everything in a baking dish, season, and mix. Add a spoon of oil, pour in water, cover with foil, and bake for 40-45 minutes in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius. Then remove the foil, sprinkle the dish with crumbled Adyghe cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes.
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7. Quinoa with Vegetables in Pots
Source: zelengarden.ruInstead of milk, you can also use broth or water.
You will need: 4 tbsp quinoa, 1/2 bell pepper, 100 g green beans, 1 zucchini, 2 tsp butter, 150 ml milk, spices.
Preparation: Rinse quinoa, roughly chop vegetables, and divide everything into two pots. Add a spoon of butter and spices, and pour in milk. Place the pots in the oven for 50-60 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
8. Quinoa with Eggplant and Tomatoes
Source: mykaleidoscope.ruA very tasty and aromatic combination – we highly recommend trying it.
You will need: 300 g quinoa, 4 tomatoes, 1-2 onions, 3 eggplants, spices, olive oil, Italian herbs.
Preparation: Rinse and cook quinoa until done, dice the vegetables. Sauté the onion, add tomatoes, and simmer for 5 minutes, covered, over low heat. Separately sauté eggplants until done, add them to the tomatoes, season, and simmer for another 5-7 minutes. Add quinoa, mix, and heat everything together for a few minutes.
9. Quinoa with Mushrooms and Green Peas
Source: dzen.ruThis side dish is even good cold as a salad!
You will need: 150 g quinoa, 200 g mushrooms, 1 onion, 200 g green peas, spices.
Preparation: Cook quinoa. Slice and sauté onion and mushrooms almost until done. Add green peas and fry for another couple of minutes, stirring. Add quinoa, season, and cook everything together for another 4-5 minutes.
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10. Quinoa Side Dish with Red Beans
Source: menunedeli.ruIf you don't want to cook beans from scratch, use ready-made canned beans.
You will need: 1 cup quinoa, 250 g red beans, 12 cherry tomatoes, 4 cloves garlic, 3 sprigs basil, spices.
Preparation: Soak beans overnight and cook. Separately cook quinoa. Roughly chop cherry tomatoes, sauté for a few minutes, and add quinoa with beans. Cook together for another 5 minutes, and 1-2 minutes before the end of cooking – add spices, minced garlic, and basil.
11. Quinoa with Mushrooms, Onions, and Carrots
Source: laksena.ruA classic sautéed mix with mushrooms will also be very appropriate here!
You will need: 300 g mushrooms, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 cup quinoa, spices.
Preparation: Cook quinoa. Mince the onion, grate the carrot, and sauté them until soft. Add mushrooms and fry until the moisture evaporates. Add quinoa and spices, mix, and heat a little more.
12. Quinoa and Bulgur Porridge
Source: za-edoy.ruA mix of different grains always offers a fresh perspective on familiar dishes.
You will need: 100 g quinoa, 100 g bulgur, 1/2 onion, spices.
Preparation: Rinse quinoa and bulgur, mix them together, and pour in 400 ml of water. Add spices and finely chopped onion. Bring to a boil and cook the porridge until all the water evaporates over low heat, covered. Optionally – add a tablespoon of vegetable oil.
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13. Quinoa Risotto with Cream
Source: recipeon.ruSuch an exquisite side dish that it's even suitable for a festive table.
You will need: 200 g mushrooms, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 cup quinoa, 3 tbsp butter, 2 cups broth, 1 shallot, 3 cloves garlic, 1/4 cup dry white wine, 30 g Parmesan, 50 ml heavy cream, spices.
Preparation: Slice and sauté mushrooms in olive oil. Separately sauté quinoa in a dry pan for a couple of minutes. Separately sauté minced shallot and garlic in butter.
Add quinoa to the shallots and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour in wine and continue cooking until it evaporates. Pour in a third of the broth and continue cooking until it evaporates. Repeat exactly the same two more times. At the very end – add mushrooms, cream, spices, and grated Parmesan. Heat the risotto a little more and remove from heat.
14. Quinoa Tabbouleh
Source: mirtesen.ruTabbouleh is an Eastern salad, but it also makes an excellent side dish.
You will need: 5 tbsp quinoa, 1 tomato, 150 g cucumbers, 150 g bell pepper, 1/2 purple onion, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 4 sprigs parsley, 2 tbsp olive oil, 0.5 tsp cumin, spices.
Preparation: Cook quinoa according to package instructions. Finely chop all vegetables, mince parsley, and mix all ingredients. Add oil, lemon juice, cumin, and spices to taste.
15. Quinoa Side Dish with Pumpkin
Source: pinterest.comA wonderful seasonal dish, whose aroma is irresistible.
You will need: 60 g quinoa, 50 g bell pepper, 200 g pumpkin, 50 g carrots, spices, olive oil.
Preparation: Dice the pumpkin, season, and bake covered with foil in the oven for 20-25 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius. Cook quinoa until done. Slice bell pepper and carrots into strips and sauté for a couple of minutes in olive oil. Add pumpkin, quinoa, and spices, mix, and heat the side dish for another 1-2 minutes.