Herbed Quinoa Pilaf

Herbed Quinoa Pilaf is a delightful and nutritious dish that combines the nutty flavor of quinoa with a medley of fresh herbs and vegetables. This vibrant pilaf makes for a wholesome side or a light main course, perfect for a healthy American dinner.

Ingredients

• Quinoa - 1 cup
• Vegetable broth - 2 cups
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Onion - 1 small, diced
• Carrot - 1 medium, diced
• Bell pepper - 1 small, diced
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Fresh thyme - 1 teaspoon, chopped
• Fresh basil - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water to remove its natural bitterness.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the diced carrot and bell pepper to the saucepan. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Stir in the rinsed quinoa, vegetable broth, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
5. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid.
6. Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit, covered, for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir in the fresh herbs and lemon juice before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 1 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein and gluten-free.
• Packed with vitamins and minerals from fresh vegetables and herbs.

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