Are you tired of bland, boring side dishes that leave your taste buds begging for excitement? Get ready to revolutionize your cooking with this Mediterranean-inspired Toasted Garlic and Parsley Quinoa that promises to elevate your culinary game! This simple yet incredibly flavorful recipe transforms humble quinoa into a restaurant-worthy dish that will have your family and friends asking for seconds. With just a few ingredients and some clever cooking techniques, you'll create a nutritious, aromatic side that's both impressive and incredibly easy to make.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water to remove its natural saponin coating, which can taste bitter.
- In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden, being careful not to burn.
- Add the rinsed quinoa to the pan with the garlic and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning and to allow the quinoa to absorb the garlic flavor.
- Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until the liquid is completely absorbed and quinoa is tender.
- Remove from heat and let the quinoa rest, covered, for 5 minutes to allow it to fully absorb any remaining moisture and become fluffy.
- Fluff the quinoa with a fork, then drizzle with remaining olive oil and fold in fresh chopped parsley.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, mixing gently to distribute the herbs and seasonings evenly.
- Serve hot as a side dish or base for other recipes, garnishing with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Tips
- Rinsing is crucial! Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove the bitter saponin coating that can affect the final taste.
- Watch your garlic carefully during toasting - golden and fragrant is perfect, but burned garlic will turn bitter.
- Use a tight-fitting lid when simmering to ensure even cooking and fluffy quinoa texture.
- Let the quinoa rest after cooking to allow it to absorb any remaining moisture and become light and fluffy.
- For extra flavor, consider toasting the quinoa in a bit of butter or using chicken broth instead of vegetable broth.
- Fresh herbs make a huge difference, so use high-quality, freshly chopped parsley for the best results.
- This recipe is incredibly versatile - try adding roasted vegetables or grilled chicken to make it a complete meal.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 240kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
