Kale Carrot Quinoa Pilaf

It's time for dinner and you are scrambling for a healthy side to use some vegetables and a healthy grain...time to make it simple and fresh. This recipe is not rocket science, but it is a beautiful addition to almost any meal that included a side of meat and another veggie. It is filling and nutritious with a healthy dose of the complete protein found in quinoa, and extra benefits from the kale and carrots. I love colorful food, and this dish is simple but definitely not boring!

The cooking time to make this is only about 20 minutes too, so it does not need to have a lot of time or thought put into it. That is my kind of healthy dish! So, get out your quinoa and start chopping up those carrots, because you will be almost done cooking this before you are done reading this post ;)

Kale and Carrot Quinoa Pilaf Recipe:

1 TB of olive oil

1 small yellow onion

1 cup of dried quinoa

1 cup of water

1 1/2 cup of vegetable broth

1 cup of chopped carrots

2/3 cup of finely chopped kale

1 TB of wheat-free tamari sauce

1 ts. of ground ginger

1 ts. of dried or fresh oregano

sea salt to taste

cracked pepper to taste

2/3 cup of crushed walnut or almond pieces

added freshly chopped parsley to top or to mix in last

Start with sauteing the diced onion in the olive oil in a medium saucepan. After 5 minutes and your onions are translucent, add in the dried quinoa, broth, and water. Stir it all together and let cook for a minute. Then add in the chopped carrots and kale. Cook at a medium heat for 15 more minutes until the water is all cooked up and the quinoa is cooked through. Add in the spices and the crushed nuts in the last 5 minutes of cooking. Continually stir to keep from burning and then serve with the fresh parsley on top if you so desire. 

No too hard, and using simple ingredients to make a filling and nutritious side. Quinoa is a complete protein and it is a great vegan and vegetarian protein.  Hope you try it out, and be creative with whatever veggies you have laying around. Don't feel like you have to go for a special ingredient for this one, just use what you have and indulge in the simplicity. 

Much love to you!