How to Cook Quinoa and 4 Simple Side Dishes

We love quinoa because:

1) It's so versatile,
2) It's packed with protein, and
3) You can make it in 15 minutes. FIFTEEN.

And our greatest discovery of late? Freezing quinoa. We just cooked a huge batch of quinoa, let it cool and filled a bunch of freezer-safe bags about 2 cups each. This is perfect for adding to soups, patties (like our famous Quinoa Kale Fritters!) and my favorite, throwing together an easy side dish.

How to Cook Quinoa

Serves: 4
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Quinoa (uncooked)
• 1.5 cups Water, Broth or Coconut Milk

Directions:

1. Cook your quinoa by combining quinoa and your choice of liquid in a saucepan. Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cover. Let it simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Remove lid, fluff with a fork and set aside.

Notes:

Storage - Refrigerate in an air-tight container up to 4 days or freeze up to 1 month.

Freezer Tips - Squeeze out all the air and flatten your freezer bag to reduce freezer burn and optimize storage space.

Less Bitter - Rinse your quinoa before cooking.

Seasoning - Add sea salt and black pepper to taste while your quinoa is cooking.

What I've REALLY enjoyed is being able to whip up a healthy side dish with less than 5 ingredients in minutes. Weekday evenings just got significantly easier.

Here are four ways to put together a nutritious side dish in under 15 minutes!

Creamy Coconut and Lime Quinoa

Serves: 4
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Quinoa (uncooked)
• 2 cups Coconut Milk
• 1 Lime (juiced)

Directions:

1. Cook your quinoa by combining quinoa, coconut milk and lime juice in a saucepan. Place over high heat and bring to a boil.
2. Once boiling, reduce to a simmer and cover. Let it simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Remove lid, fluff with a fork and set aside. Mix in lime zest (optional).

Cheezy Broccoli Quinoa

Serves: 2
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Quinoa (cooked)
• 1 cup Broccoli (florets, coarsely chopped)
• 1 tbsp Nutritional Yeast
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve as a side.

Asian Corn and Green Onion Quinoa

Serves: 2
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Quinoa (cooked)
• 1/2 can Corn
• 3 Green Onion (chopped)
• 1 tbsp Tamari

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve as a side.

Mushroom and Garlic Quinoa

Serves: 2
Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 2 cups Mushroom (thinly sliced)
• 2 Garlic (cloves, minced)
• 1 cup Quinoa (cooked)
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

Directions:

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Saute sliced mushrooms until soft. Add garlic and stir for 1-2 more minutes.
2. In a bowl, combine mushrooms with quinoa and season with salt and pepper.

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