Orange Kissed Quinoa Pilaf (Printable Version)
Nutty quinoa combined with vegetables and a fresh burst of orange zest creates a vibrant, wholesome dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
04 - 1 medium carrot, diced
05 - 1 small zucchini, diced
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
→ Flavorings
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
12 - ½ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
13 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Citrus
14 - Zest of 1 orange
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
→ Additions
16 - ¼ cup toasted slivered almonds
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, zucchini, and bell pepper. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic, cumin, smoked paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add rinsed quinoa and stir to coat with the vegetables and spices.
04 - Pour in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and liquid is absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat. Stir in orange zest, orange juice, and toasted almonds.
06 - Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The orange transforms humble quinoa into something that feels special and restaurant worthy
- Its one of those rare dishes that tastes even better as leftovers making meal prep actually exciting
02 -
- Rinsing quinoa thoroughly is non negotiable unless you want a bitter soapy taste in your finished dish
- Letting the pilaf rest covered off the heat is the secret step that makes each grain separate perfectly
03 -
- Toasting the almonds in a dry pan for 3 minutes before adding them makes a huge difference in flavor depth
- Use a microplane zester to get only the orange outer layer and avoid the bitter white pith