Sunday, June 3, 2012

Orange Cranberry Quinoa with Walnuts

Quinoa isn't the greatest tasting grain.  Without seasoning ... it kind of tastes like socks.  Buuuuuut, once it is jazzed up a bit, quinoa is one of my favourite side dishes.  I love the texture and the fact that it is a complete protein (contains all 9 of the essential amino acids, as do hemp seed, soy and buckwheat).

I was feeling citrusy the other day so I got my zester out and went to work on this ...

Cranberry Orange Quinoa with Walnuts

1 cup dry quinoa (cook according to package directions)
Zest from 1 orange
Juice from 1 orange
2 T olive oil
1/4 cup or so chopped walnuts
1/4 cup or so dried cranberries
Salt to taste

Cook quinoa.  Add the other ingredients to the cooked quinoa. Stir and enjoy!  You could let the quinoa cool first and serve this cold as well.

 

Served with some citrusy trout (lemon, lime, salt, pepper and oregano), this made a perfect summer dinner.

And since it was a beeeeeautiful day yesterday a BBQd dinner was enjoyed al fresco. Mmmmm!

 

Sun, I love you.

How was your weekend?  Did you enjoy any meals outside?


5 comments:

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

love the sounds of the quinoa...great flavor combo!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Yum! That sounds delicious. I agree, quinoa on it's own is pretty bleh, but when you season it, it is awesome!

My weekend was good. It was the best feeling to wake up on Sunday morning knowing I didn't have to study!!

I LOVE eating outdoors!

Kacy said...

Looks delish!
We went to a wine festival Saturday and ate outside there. It was a gorgeous day.

Anonymous said...

Yummy! My weekend was both productive and relaxing....the best of both worlds!

Ameena said...

Quinoa does sort of taste like socks sometimes...that's why I've given up! But this does look tasty...