Maple Orange Quinoa Pilaf (Printable Version)
Wholesome grain dish with quinoa, orange, and maple glaze. Nutty flavor with sweet citrus notes. Great side or light main.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups vegetable broth
→ Vegetables & Fruit
03 - 1 small red onion, finely diced
04 - 1 medium carrot, peeled and diced
05 - 1 orange, zested and juiced (reserve zest and juice separately)
06 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries
07 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
→ Flavorings & Seasonings
08 - 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
09 - 1 tbsp olive oil
10 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
11 - 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
12 - 1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Nuts (optional)
14 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add red onion and carrot; sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in rinsed quinoa, ground cumin, ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
03 - Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
04 - Remove from heat. Fluff quinoa with a fork. Stir in orange zest, orange juice, maple syrup, and dried cranberries. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes.
05 - Gently fold in chopped parsley and toasted nuts (if using). Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The maple and orange combination hits that perfect sweet spot between refined and cozy
- It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something you fussed over
- The leftovers taste even better the next day if they last that long
02 -
- Rinsing quinoa is non negotiable unless you want an unpleasant bitter flavor in your finished dish
- Letting the pilaf rest covered after cooking is the secret to perfect texture
- The amount of maple syrup can be adjusted based on how sweet you like your side dishes
03 -
- Toasting your nuts in a dry pan for 3 minutes before adding them makes a huge difference in flavor
- Grating the orange zest before juicing prevents losing any of those precious aromatic oils