Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Fall Quinoa Pilaf


My diet is almost exclusively plant-based. I will eat meat from time to time, so I like to consider myself a semi-vegetarian. Eating mostly plants is a personal choice for me. I find it easier to digest veggies and grains then a huge piece of steak. When I started eating more fruit and veg, I noticed my energy increased. I wasn't stopping at Starbucks every couple of hours to fill up on caffeine and sugar just to have my blood sugar crash in thirty minutes. I realize that everyone's body needs protein, however protein doesn't always have to be in the form of meat. A little grain called Quinoa has a nice helping of protein in it. I particularly like this grain because it helps stabilize my blood sugar and I can eat a lot of it since it is low in calories. Even if you decide to just have one vegetarian meal a week, you are doing your body an enormous favor. Try it and you might just become a VIP (Vegan Intriguing Person).



Fall Quinoa Pilaf

1 cup Quinoa cooked according to the directions on package
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
1 pomegranate, seeds removed
1/2 cup green onion, chopped
1/4 cup dried figs, chopped
1/4 cup toasted almonds
juice of 2 Meyer lemons
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste


In a large bowl combine parsley, green onion, pomegranate seeds and dried figs. Add Quinoa in once it has cooled off after cooking it. In a small bowl combine lemon juice, thyme, salt, pepper and olive oil. Drizzle over pilaf. Garnish with toasted almonds.

15 comments:

  1. Agree - I love quinoa! I eat vegetarian about 75% of the time, so I always appreciate meatless options. YUM!

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    1. I just discovered Quinoa 3 years ago. I now think it is a great grain. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. Yum. My daughter will love this!

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    1. You can always substitute dried apricots for the figs or even dried cranberries for the pomegranate seeds. Thanks for the comment.

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  3. I love this...quinoa is so yummy! I have some dried figs on hand too!

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    1. Thanks Wendy! Hope all is well with you. I'm looking forward to Trader Joe's opening in SA. Always nice to have more options when you are shopping.

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  4. Love the blog header redesign! And I had to giggle at the VIP reference. Great looking salad- quinoa rocks!

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    1. Thanks Shelley! Quinoa is my go-to grain. Glad you like the blog redesign. I was ready for a change. Hope you are enjoying this beautiful Fall TX weather. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. You know, I really need to revisit quinoa. My first (and last) experience with it was in the late '90's. I was a vegetarian at the time, and had learned about it through a vegetarian cookbook. Following the instructions, I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed and rinsed that darned quinoa, but it still had a terrible, soapy taste after I cooked it. These days I understand that it comes pre-rinsed, so that would probably help. Or maybe I just happened to get my hands on a bad batch. Everybody is raving about it lately, so I guess I'd better give it another try. In spite of the soapiness, I do remember enjoying the texture.

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  6. What a neat combination of ingredients. Both my husband and I really enjoy quinoa, and we'll be trying this version soon. I've also sent a link to a friend of mine who, with here husband, both in their late 60's, are just going vegan. They are an inspiration, as are you!

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    1. Thank you Maggie. I usually make quinoa tabouli, but I thought I would mix it up a bit. Always enjoy reading your blog. Thanks for stopping by.

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  7. This looks so fresh and healthy and DELICIOUS! I have to confess, I have never tried quinoa, but this inspires me to try it!!

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    1. Thank you Kristi. Quinoa is now a staple in my house. It is such a versatile grain. Thanks for stopping by. I love your blog!

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  8. looks so inviting and delicious...mouthwatering!

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