Vegged-Out Quinoa

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Sometimes you just want a lot of warm vegetables, you know? I made this one day that I wanted to bulk up some quinoa and just veg out. It was perfect with some baked tofu thrown on top, and then a few days later as a side dish with roasted chicken. My favorite thing about this is how flavorful it is, and it doesn’t even start with stock. I know vegetable/chicken stock is a great thing to keep in your pantry, but I just don’t. It’s easier that way. And you won’t even notice it’s missing here because there’s already so much to love.

Vegged-Out Quinoa

Ingredients(Makes 4 to 6 servings):

  • 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 3 stalks celery, chopped
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 large carrots, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons butter or cooking oil
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen spinach
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chopped parsley

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Start by heating up your butter or oil over medium heat in a large pan.

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Chop all of your vegetables and add them into the heated pan. Keep an eye on this and stir for about 10-15 minutes until the onion is translucent and just beginning to caramelize.

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While that’s cooking, measure out your quinoa. Rinse and drain it first to remove the saponin.

*If you’re using a rice cooker, add your quinoa and two cups of water in and turn it on to the appropriate setting.

**If you’re using the stove, wait until the vgetables are done coking. Then add the quinoa and water into the same pot and bring it to a boil. Cover the pan and turn off the heat and wait for the quinoa to absorb the water.

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Add in your salt, pepper, and parsley right before cooking.

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Once the quinoa is fully cooked and the water has been absorbed, add in the honey and spinach and fold them into the mix. Serve hot.

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This is sweet, it’s savory, a little bitter and kissed with salt. It has a great flavor all its own and can stand up to any protein on a dish. And it’s a real crowd-pleaser. I think adding all the vegetables just gives you an excuse to eat more because it’s so darn healthy.

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39 Responses to Vegged-Out Quinoa
  1. Stacy @ Every Little Thing
    January 13, 2011 | 10:10 am

    I have a recipe for a “rainbow” quinoa salad but I’ll be honest, this looks better! I’ll be making it this weekend!

  2. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
    January 13, 2011 | 10:13 am

    Yum! This looks almost like a tabouli salad! I bet it would be good chilled too.

  3. Caroline @ chocolate & carrots
    January 13, 2011 | 10:32 am

    Done. I’m making this. Looks amazing! And something my husband would actually try.

  4. Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    January 13, 2011 | 10:34 am

    That looks delicious! I love how versatile quinoa is. And since its packed with protein, you could just have a large bowl of that and its a full meal!

  5. Stephanie
    January 13, 2011 | 10:44 am

    This would rank up there with a favorite dish. Warm veggies and quinoa=heaven!!

  6. Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
    January 13, 2011 | 11:21 am

    OMG I’ve been going quinoa crazy these days and my meals have been very close variations of this! Your bowl looks delicious Evan! I gave you a Stylish Blogger Award on my blog today, so check it out! http://bit.ly/fAN7n6

  7. Salah (My Healthiest LIfestyle)
    January 13, 2011 | 12:16 pm

    all i have to say is my mouth is watering right now

  8. Christin@purplebirdblog
    January 13, 2011 | 12:46 pm

    That sound fantastic… the honey is a brilliant addition!

  9. Erin
    January 13, 2011 | 12:48 pm

    That looks glorious

  10. Emily
    January 13, 2011 | 1:20 pm

    This looks so good, Evan. I love the addition of honey. I would have never thought to do that. 🙂

  11. Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
    January 13, 2011 | 2:16 pm

    love the addition of honey to the end! yum!

    and the fact that you CAN do this all in one pot…oh, that’s my kinda meal. no extra dishes and altho i do keep stock on hand, the cartons are huge or even a can…i dont always need the whole thing so hate to open it for 1/2 c of liquid type situation.

  12. Nourhan @ Miss Anthropist's Kitchen
    January 13, 2011 | 2:47 pm

    I am SO in the vegetable mood right now, and this looks PERFECT!

  13. Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen)
    January 13, 2011 | 3:11 pm

    I love quinoa and veggies! Best complete meal EVER! I like baking it with “cheese” (Daiya or nutritional yeast) on top too! I don’t make mine with broth either. Sometimes you need it, but I don’t think you need it with all those veggie flavors added to it. Looks delicious!

  14. 5 Star Foodie
    January 13, 2011 | 4:24 pm

    Such a healthy dish! Loving all those yummy vegies mixed in with quinoa, nice!

  15. Kate (What Kate is Cooking)
    January 13, 2011 | 4:37 pm

    I never would have thought to put honey in this, but I think it would be awesome! I don’t make quinoa with stock either- with the right seasonings, I don’t think it needs it.

  16. Alexis @ There She Goes
    January 13, 2011 | 5:33 pm

    Love the spinach and parsley addition in here!

  17. Lauren @ Clean Eats in the Dirty South
    January 13, 2011 | 6:29 pm

    That. Looks. So. Good. 🙂
    I must try and make that ASAP!

  18. rebecca lustig
    January 13, 2011 | 8:02 pm

    love ‘kissed with salt’. salt makes everything that much better. well that and chocolate..

  19. Kristina at spabettie
    January 13, 2011 | 8:07 pm

    quinoa is one of my very favorites… this looks fabulous, and I love the honey… never would have thought of that.

  20. MaryBe@AccidentallyVegan
    January 13, 2011 | 8:56 pm

    That looks so good! I’ve had quinoa in my pantry for a month and wasn’t sure what to do with it

  21. lynn @ the actor's diet
    January 13, 2011 | 9:04 pm

    that looks AWESOME – i love the idea of combining the honey with the quinoa.

  22. Hannah
    January 13, 2011 | 10:52 pm

    Love the uber-greenness of this! I, too, have been known to throw frozen spinach into my savoury meals with abandon when I feel the need for some colour in my life/bowl 🙂

  23. Gena
    January 13, 2011 | 10:52 pm

    I love this, Evan! It reminds me a lot of an old Deborah Madison recipe I love, which involves rice that ends up more green than white bc of all the herbs and veggies.

    Can’t wait to try it!

  24. Sana
    January 13, 2011 | 10:57 pm

    I just came here to give you an extra page read, but I might as well read your post since I am already here…

  25. Christine (The Raw Project)
    January 13, 2011 | 11:07 pm

    This looks wonderful! I’ve gotta try it with the black quinoa in my pantry. Thanks!

  26. Cara Craves...
    January 14, 2011 | 4:36 am

    I wish quinoa existed in Korea!
    This looks amazing!

  27. jenny
    January 14, 2011 | 4:40 am

    mmmmmm! this looks like something i’d make. bookmarked!

  28. Amalfi Girl
    January 14, 2011 | 8:23 pm

    Oh, I am definitely trying this, ASAP.

  29. Tammi Kibler
    January 15, 2011 | 12:36 am

    This looks so beautiful and nourishing. I suppose one can forgo the broth when using 1/4 cup of honey and a teaspoon of salt. This would surely hit the spot when I come in from shoveling.

  30. Namaste Gurl
    January 15, 2011 | 2:04 pm

    How yummy does this sound indeed! Never thought of adding a sweetener, such as honey, to cooked qunioa! Brilliant creation 🙂

  31. Renae
    January 20, 2011 | 1:57 am

    Yum! I have been looking for Quinoa recipes and can’t wait to make this.

  32. Suzanne @ Continuing My Education
    January 20, 2011 | 4:18 pm

    Wow, this sounds amazing! Great flavor combos!

  33. Quinoa Newbie
    July 24, 2011 | 12:59 pm

    […] Vegged-Out Quinoa – The Wannabe Chef […]

  34. […] Vegged-Out Quinoa […]

  35. marcie
    September 3, 2013 | 7:58 am

    This recipe is amazing. The flavors just explode! Is it the honey??

    • Wannabe Chef
      September 3, 2013 | 10:15 am

      I’m glad you agree! The sugar in the honey definitely helps to bring out the subtle flavors in the vegetables and herbs.

  36. Rose
    September 20, 2013 | 9:15 pm

    My sister and I are making this right now. It smells amazing!!! I can’t wait to try it!!!!

  37. Basil
    September 20, 2013 | 10:40 pm

    This was good, until I added the honey… the honey was just too overpowering and I guess I would have preferred to taste the vegetables more. I’ll definitely make this again, but I will omit the honey.

    -Basil R.