quinoa Archives - Epicurean Vegan

Seed n’ Green Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

January 8, 2017 by Epicurean Vegan

Next to summertime, I think January is high-salad time (thanks to all those New Year resolutions). I’m a salad gal all the time, but I might as well jump on the bandwagon. I could have called this something more catchy like, Grains n’ Greens, but quinoa is actually the seed that is extracted from the grain. Hence, it’s Seed n’ Green (even though I’m sure I’ve called quinoa a grain many times before). Anyway, quinoa is pretty awesome so it’s an ideal mate for salad fixings. I recommend making the quinoa ahead of time and letting it cool, but feel free to serve this salad warm.

INGREDIENTS:
1 C quinoa
2 C broth or water
6 C baby spinach
1 14-oz can sliced green olives
1 avocado, diced
Pepitas
Lemon-Tahini Dressing
2 Tbs tahini
1 Tbs red miso
1/8 C nutritional yeast
1/8 C lemon juice
1 Tbs chia seeds
1/4 C water (more for thinning out, if necessary)
1/8 tsp black pepper

DIRECTIONS:
Combine the quinoa and broth or water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed. I then transferred the quinoa to a bowl and chilled it in the fridge, uncovered, for about 30-45 minutes. Meanwhile, to make the dressing, combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Transfer to a mason jar or other glass container. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Depending on how long it sits, the chia seeds will thicken the dressing up, so if you want a thinner dressing, whisk in a tad of water.

To make the salad, start with some spinach, then add a scoop or two of quinoa. Top with olives, avocado, pepitas and dressing. Enjoy!

Seed n' Green Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

25 mins

Next to summertime, I think January is high-salad time---thanks to all those New Year resolutions. I'm a salad gal all the time, but I might as well jump on the bandwagon. I could have called this something more catchy like, Grains n' Greens, but quinoa is actually the seed that is extracted from the grain. Hence, it's Seed n' Green (even though I'm sure I've called quinoa a grain many times before. Anyway, quinoa is pretty awesome so it's an ideal mate for salad fixings. I recommend making the quinoa ahead of time and letting it cool, but feel free to serve this salad warm.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 C quinoa
2 C broth or water
6 C baby spinach
1 14-oz can sliced green olives
1 avocado, diced
Pepitas
Lemon-Tahini Dressing
2 Tbs tahini
1 Tbs red miso
⅛ C nutritional yeast
⅛ C lemon juice
1 Tbs chia seeds
¼ C water (more for thinning out, if necessary)
⅛ tsp black pepper

Directions

Combine the quinoa and broth or water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for about 15-20 minutes, or until the liquid has been absorbed.
I then transferred to a bowl and chilled in the fridge, uncovered, for about 30-45 minutes. Meanwhile, to make the dressing, combine all of the ingredients in a food processor. Puree until smooth. Transfer to a mason jar or other glass container. Store in the fridge until ready to use. Depending on how long it sits, the chia seeds will thicken the dressing up, so if you want a thinner dressing, whisk in a tad of water.
To make the salad, start with some spinach, then add a scoop or two of quinoa. Top with olives, avocado, pepitas and dressing. Enjoy!

Quinoa & Kale Bowls with Orange-Tahini Sauce

May 21, 2016 by Epicurean Vegan

I love fresh veggie bowls. They’re so easy to make, plus you can customize them they way you like ’em. I also love to experiment with the sauces and dressings. I think you’ll enjoy this Orange-Tahini Sauce, but to really make it a hard decision, here’s a list of other dressings to suit your fancy:

Cashew-Curry Sauce

Thai-Curry Sauce

Peanut Sauce

Cashew-Coconut Curry Sauce

Cilantro-Lime Cashew Sauce

Coconut-Garlic Cashew Sauce

Cilantro-Ginger Cashew Sauce

Lemony-Almond Butter Dressing

Tahini Dressing

Thai Peanut Sauce

Orange-Maple Miso Dressing

(I obviously like to make cashew-based sauces!) There’s a ton of variations of veggie bowls out there, but sometimes, simplicity is the way to go. These fresh and delicious, gluten-free and soy-free bowls are easy to make and chances are, you already have the ingredients in your fridge, so chop chop!

INGREDIENTS:
Bowls
1 C quinoa
2 C vegetable broth
4-5 C chopped kale
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
pepitas
Orange-Tahini Sauce
3/4 C tahini
1/2 C orange juice
1 Tbs sesame oil
2 Tbs white wine vinegar
1 Tbs tamari
1 Tbs agave
salt and pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium saucepan, combine the broth and quinoa. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed. Pile the kale on top and replace the lid. Let the kale steam for about 10 minutes, then stir it into the quinoa.

To make the sauce, combine everything in a food processor and blend until smooth. I then transferred it to a squeeze bottle. Assemble the bowls by placing a scoop or two of the quinoa mix in a bowl and top with garbanzo beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and sauce. It’s that easy. Enjoy!

Quinoa & Kale Bowls with Orange-Tahini Sauce

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

There's a ton of variations of veggie bowls out there, but sometimes, simplicity is the way to go. These fresh and delicious, gluten-free and soy-free bowls are easy to make and chances are, you already have the ingredients in your fridge, chop chop!

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 4

Ingredients

Bowls
1 C quinoa
2 C vegetable broth
4-5 C chopped kale
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and diced
pepitas
Orange-Tahini Sauce
¾ C tahini
½ C orange juice
1 Tbs sesame oil
2 Tbs white wine vinegar
1 Tbs tamari
1 Tbs agave
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine the broth and quinoa. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cover. Cook until all the liquid has been absorbed.
Pile the kale on top and replace the lid. Let the kale steam for about 10 minutes, then stir it into the quinoa.
To make the sauce, combine everything in a food processor and blend until smooth. I then transferred it to a squeeze bottle.
Assemble the bowls by placing a scoop or two of the quinoa mix in a bowl and top with garbanzo beans, avocado, cherry tomatoes, pepitas, and sauce. It's that easy. Enjoy!

Teriyaki-Quinoa Burgers

August 22, 2015 by Epicurean Vegan

These veggie burgers are quite amazing. They’re easy to make, delicious, and they actually hold together when you cook them—that’s not always an easy thing when making veggie burgers. I got the recipe from Thrive Forward and I’ve had them a couple of times now. I’ve made some subtle variations and added the teriyaki-pineapple-avocado part, which I think you will love.

INGREDIENTS:
1 15-oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I use a tri-bean blend)
1 C cooked quinoa (I like the tri-color variety and I cook it in veggie broth)
1 C quinoa flakes or oats (I opt for oats since I usually have those on hand)
1/2 C red onion, chopped (I use 1 cup)
1/3 C chopped cilantro (I use 1 cup)
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs chili powder
1 Tbs cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 Tbs chia seeds mixed with 1/3 C water (recipe says to use ground chia seeds, but I use them whole)
Cooking spray
Toppings
Pineapple rings, jarred Teriyaki sauce, avocado slices. Veggie bacon is also a great option.
6-8 burger buns

DIRECTIONS:
I start by mixing the chia seeds and water together and setting aside. Cook the quinoa (1/2 C quinoa with 1-1/4 C broth). In a food processor, add the beans, onion, cilantro, garlic, salt, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. I didn’t mince the garlic beforehand; it’s up to you.
Blend everything to the consistency you’d like. If you want some chunks, go for it. Of course, you may not want to bite into a piece of garlic, so you may want to mince it first. You decide how much you want to blend it. I went for it and mostly pureed it. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the quinoa, oats, and chia mixture.
Shape the batter into patties. You could make beefy burgers or even some sliders. I went for the beefy kind (about 4″ across, 3/4″ thick).
I actually got 5 burgers, but only had room for 4 on the pan. Again, you get to make the executive decision on this. Much will probably depend on how large or small of buns you use. Feel free to use a grill pan, too. Last time I made these, I used my grill pan and they came out great with fancy grill marks and all. I should add that you’ll need to spray the pan first with cooking spray. I should also tell you that I typically chill these in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. I don’t know if it helps keep them together or not, but it just so happens that each time I’ve made these, I’ve prepared them ahead of time. Just cover with plastic wrap first.

When you’re ready, cook them over low-medium heat for about 5-6 minutes per side.
Serve on a toasted bun with a ring of pineapple, avocado slices, and some Teriyaki sauce. Enjoy!

Teriyaki-Quinoa Burgers

Prep time

20 mins

Cook time

12 mins

Total time

32 mins

These veggie burgers are quite amazing. They're easy to make, delicious, and they actually hold together when you cook them---that's not always an easy thing when making veggie burgers. I got the recipe from Thrive Forward and I've had them a couple of times now. I've made some subtle variations and added the teriyaki-pineapple-avocado part, which I think you will love.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 15-oz can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed (I use a tri-bean blend)
1 C cooked quinoa (I like the tri-color variety and I cook it in veggie broth)
1 C quinoa flakes or oats (I opt for oats since I usually have those on hand)
½ C red onion, chopped (I use 1 cup)
⅓ C chopped cilantro (I use 1 cup)
3 garlic cloves, minced
¾ tsp salt
1 Tbs chili powder
1 Tbs cumin
½ tsp black pepper
2 Tbs chia seeds mixed with ⅓ C water (recipe says to use ground chia seeds, but I use them whole)
Cooking spray
Toppings
Pineapple rings, jarred Teriyaki sauce, avocado slices. Veggie bacon is also a great option.
6-8 burger buns

Directions

I start by mixing the chia seeds and water together and setting aside. Cook the quinoa (1/2 C quinoa with 1-1/4 C broth).
In a food processor, add the beans, onion, cilantro, garlic, salt, chili powder, cumin, and black pepper. I didn't mince the garlic beforehand; it's up to you.
Blend everything to the consistency you'd like. If you want some chunks, go for it. Of course, you may not want to bite into a piece of garlic, so you may want to mince it first. You decide how much you want to blend it. I went for it and mostly pureed it. Transfer to a bowl and fold in the quinoa, oats, and chia mixture.
Shape the batter into patties. You could make beefy burgers or even some sliders. I went for the beefy kind (about 4" across, ¾" thick).
I actually got 5 burgers, but only had room for 4 on the pan. Again, you get to make the executive decision on this. Much will probably depend on how large or small of buns you use. Feel free to use a grill pan, too. Last time I made these, I used my grill pan and they came out great with fancy grill marks and all. I should add that you'll need to spray the pan first with cooking spray. I should also tell you that I typically chill these in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking them. I don't know if it helps keep them together or not, but it just so happens that each time I've made these, I've prepared them ahead of time. Just cover with plastic wrap first.
When you're ready, cook them over low-medium heat for about 5-6 minutes per side.
Serve on a toasted bun with a ring of pineapple, avocado slices, and some Teriyaki sauce. Enjoy!

Quinoa Stir-fry with Avocado

February 23, 2015 by Epicurean Vegan

Well, let’s see if I can still do this; it’s been a while. Sorry for the absence, but I think I’m getting back into the swing of things. Our kitchen counter tops are supposed to arrive today . . . just when I was getting used to the plywood stand-in! I bring you this easy and delicious, gluten-free meal that’s ready in no time. Speaking of stand-ins, quinoa is a great alternative to rice. It’s a nice change, plus it’s an excellent source of protein. The avocado is also a nice touch, contrasting well with the crunchy cashews.

INGREDIENTS:
1 C tri-colored quinoa
1-1/2 C vegetable broth
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 bell peppers, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 small zucchini, sliced
2 C mushrooms, quartered
1/3 C tamari or soy sauce
1/8 C lime juice
1/2 tsp sesame oil
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and grated
1 C unsalted cashews
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium saucepan, combine the broth and quinoa and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the bell pepper, onion, and celery; cook 8-10 minutes, or until softened.

Next, add the zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes, then add the mushrooms. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the tamari, lime juice, sesame oil, and ginger; set aside. Once the quinoa is cooked, add it to the cooked veggies, along with the cashews. Reduce heat to low and stir in the tamari mixture, combining everything thoroughly.

Top individual servings with avocado and enjoy!

Quinoa Stir-fry with Avocado

Cook time

25 mins

Total time

25 mins

I bring you this easy and delicious, gluten-free meal that's ready in no time. Speaking of stand-ins, quinoa is a great alternative to rice. It's a nice change, plus it's an excellent source of protein. The avocado is also a nice touch, contrasting well with the crunchy cashews.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 C tri-colored quinoa
½ C vegetable broth
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 bell peppers, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
2 stalks celery, sliced
2 small zucchini, sliced
2 C mushrooms, quartered
⅓ C tamari or soy sauce
⅛ C lime juice
½ tsp sesame oil
1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, peeled and grated
1 C unsalted cashews
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into chunks

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine the broth and quinoa and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the bell pepper, onion, and celery; cook 8-10 minutes, or until softened.
Next, add the zucchini and cook for 4-5 minutes, then add the mushrooms. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the tamari, lime juice, sesame oil, and ginger; set aside.
Once the quinoa is cooked, add it to the cooked veggies, along with the cashews. Reduce heat to low and stir in the tamari mixture, combining everything thoroughly.
Top individual servings with avocado and enjoy!

Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa & Black Beans

October 4, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

This has been a favorite at our house for some time now. I found the original recipe on Pinterest, but have just tweaked it a little here and there. I also double the recipe because it makes great leftovers. I like to serve this with some tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado and vegan sour cream, but we’ve also been known to scoop it into a warm flour or corn tortilla with all fixins’ like tomato, cilantro, avocado, etc. It’s so easy to make; just toss in a slow cooker and it’s ready in about 3 hours. (And it’s gluten-free!) You can sub in any other kind of bean, such as kidney or chili beans, but I also think some lentils would be perfect too. And why not throw in a diced red bell pepper? The possibilities are endless!

INGREDIENTS:
2 15-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 C vegetable broth
1-1/2 C tri-color quinoa
1 C salsa
2 bay leaves
3 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
Black pepper, to taste
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cubed
1 C fresh cilantro, chopped
Vegan sour cream
Corn tortilla chips
Optional: flour tortillas or corn taco shells

DIRECTIONS:
Combine the beans, broth, quinoa, salsa, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and garlic powder in a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. If you can, stir it around once or twice. Once done, stir in the lime zest and juice. Season individual servings with pepper and top with avocado, cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy with tortilla chips.

Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa & Black Beans

Prep time

5 mins

Cook time

3 hours 30 mins

Total time

3 hours 35 mins

This has been a favorite at our house for some time now. I found the original recipe on Pinterest, but have just tweaked it a little here and there. I also double the recipe because it makes great leftovers. I like to serve this with some tortilla chips, cilantro, avocado and vegan sour cream, but we've also been known to scoop it into a warm flour or corn tortilla with all fixins' like tomato, cilantro, avocado, etc. It's so easy to make; just toss in a slow cooker and it's ready in about 3 hours. (And it's gluten-free!) You can sub in any other kind of bean, such as kidney or chili beans, but I also think some lentils would be perfect too. And why not throw in a diced red bell pepper? The possibilities are endless!

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 6

Ingredients

2 15-oz cans black beans, drained and rinsed
3 C vegetable broth
1-1/2 C tri-color quinoa
1 C salsa
2 bay leaves
3 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp garlic powder
Black pepper, to taste
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1-2 avocados, peeled, pitted and cubed
1 C fresh cilantro, chopped
Vegan sour cream
Corn tortilla chips
Optional: flour tortillas or corn taco shells

Directions

Combine the beans, broth, quinoa, salsa, bay leaves, cumin, salt, and garlic powder in a slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 3 to 3-1/2 hours. If you can, stir it around once or twice.
Once done, stir in the lime zest and juice.
Season individual servings with pepper and top with avocado, cilantro and sour cream. Enjoy with tortilla chips.

Quinoa-Tempeh Veggie Wraps

July 21, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

Who doesn’t love a good veggie wrap? These take very little time to prepare, so lunch or dinner will be ready in minutes. Not only is this a fast and tasty meal, but both quinoa and tempeh provide lots of protein, iron and fiber, not to mention some vitamin B2 and manganese, an antioxidant. These are downright delicious topped with veggies and vegan Thousand Island dressing from Follow Your Heart (which is gluten-free, non GMO and has no cholesterol). Great to wrap and go when you’re on the road, too.
INGREDIENTS:
2 8oz pkgs tempeh, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 small onion, chopped
1 C quinoa
1-1/2 C veggie broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs olive oil
Tamari
1 Tbs vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/3 C pepitas
1-1/2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
2 C lettuce, chopped
Vegan dressing of your choice
6 Flour tortillas, warmed

DIRECTIONS:
Start the quinoa, as it will take about 20 minutes. In a medium sauce pan, combine the broth and quinoa. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and let cook about 17-22 minutes, until the water is absorbed. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the garlic. Saute over medium heat for a minute, then add the onions. Cook the onions for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften. Add the tempeh and cook 10 minutes, stirring often until most of the tempeh begins to brown. I then drizzled tamari all over the tempeh and onions, using just enough to coat them, perhaps around a 1/4 cup. Add the Worcestershire sauce too. Coat the mixture thoroughly and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the pepitas.

To assemble the wrap, start with quinoa, pile on some of the tempeh-onion mixture, then top with lettuce, tomato, avocado and dressing. Wrap up and enjoy!

Quinoa-Tempeh Veggie Wraps

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

20 mins

Total time

30 mins

Who doesn't love a good veggie wrap? These take very little time to prepare, so lunch or dinner will be ready in minutes. Not only is this a fast and tasty meal, but both quinoa and tempeh provide lots of protein, iron and fiber, not to mention some vitamin B2 and manganese, an antioxidant. These are downright delicious topped with veggies and vegan Thousand Island dressing from Follow Your Heart (which is gluten-free, non GMO and has no cholesterol). Great to wrap and go when you're on the road, too.

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 6

Ingredients

2 8oz pkgs tempeh, cut into bite-sized cubes
1 small onion, chopped
1 C quinoa
1-1/2 C veggie broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbs olive oil
Tamari
1 Tbs vegan Worcestershire sauce
⅓ C pepitas
1-1/2 C cherry tomatoes, halved
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
2 C lettuce, chopped
Vegan dressing of your choice
6 Flour tortillas, warmed

Directions

Start the quinoa, as it will take about 20 minutes. In a medium sauce pan, combine the broth and quinoa. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and let cook about 17-22 minutes, until the water is absorbed.
Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil and add the garlic. Saute over medium heat for a minute, then add the onions. Cook the onions for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
Add the tempeh and cook 10 minutes, stirring often until most of the tempeh begins to brown.
I then drizzled tamari all over the tempeh and onions, using just enough to coat them, perhaps around a ¼ cup. Add the Worcestershire sauce too. Coat the mixture thoroughly and reduce heat to medium-low.
Stir in the pepitas.
To assemble the wrap, start with quinoa, pile on some of the tempeh-onion mixture, then top with lettuce, tomato, avocado and dressing. Wrap up and enjoy!

Quinoa & Kale Pitas with Tahini Dressing

March 2, 2014 by Epicurean Vegan

These are packed with some of my favorite ingredients! Quinoa is loaded with protein and the kale is well . . . it’s kale! We all know kale is high in iron, calcium and several vitamins. Check out these 10 Health Benefits of this super green. I also threw in some pepitas, which are rich in vitamins, beta carotene, and protein. I made a pretty big batch so that I can nosh all week (especially post workouts), but feel free to halve the recipe if you’re fearful of getting quinoa’d out. (Inconceivable! 😉 )

INGREDIENTS
Filling
2 C tri-color quinoa
4 C vegetable broth or water
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 C red onion, diced
3/4 C green onion, sliced
2 C mushrooms, diced
1 bunch kale, leaves removed and chopped (stems discarded)
3/4 C pepitas
Dressing
2 large cloves of garlic
1 Tbs tahini
2 Tbs yellow/light miso
1/4 C nutritional yeast
1/2 C unsweetened almond milk
1/2 C cold water
2 Tbs chia seesds
1/4 tsp black pepper
The rest
Pita pockets
Avocado slices

DIRECTIONS
I recommend making the dressing first. It’ll be a little runny, but letting it sit for 20 minutes or so, will allow the chia seeds to do their thing and thicken up the dressing. In a food processor or blender, combine all of the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth. Set aside.

In a large soup pot, combine the broth (or water) with the quinoa. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet. Add the red and green onions. Saute until softened and a tiny bit browned. Add the kale and mushrooms and saute until the the kale is bright green, about 5 minutes.
Fold the veggies and pepitas into the cooked quinoa.
I placed a little dressing inside the pita, along with a slice or two of avocado, then added the filling, and topped with some more dressing. Enjoy!

Quinoa & Kale Pitas with Tahini Dressing

These are packed with some of my favorite ingredients! Quinoa is loaded with protein and the kale is well . . . it's kale! We all know kale is high in iron, calcium and several vitamins. Check out these 10 Health Benefits of this super green. I also threw in some pepitas, which are rich in vitamins, beta carotene, and protein. I made a pretty big batch so that I can nosh all week (especially post workouts), but feel free to halve the recipe if you're fearful of getting quinoa'd out. (Inconceivable! 😉 )

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

Filling
2 C tri-color quinoa
4 C vegetable broth or water
1 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 C red onion, diced
¾ C green onion, sliced
2 C mushrooms, diced
1 bunch kale, leaves removed and chopped (stems discarded)
¾ C pepitas
Dressing
2 large cloves of garlic
1 Tbs tahini
2 Tbs yellow/light miso
¼ C nutritional yeast
½ C unsweetened almond milk
½ C cold water
2 Tbs chia seesds
¼ tsp black pepper
The rest
Pita pockets
Avocado slices

Directions

I recommend making the dressing first. It'll be a little runny, but letting it sit for 20 minutes or so, will allow the chia seeds to do their thing and thicken up the dressing. In a food processor or blender, combine all of the dressing ingredients and blend until smooth. Set aside.
In a large soup pot, combine the broth (or water) with the quinoa. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover, and cook for about 20-25 minutes, or until all of the liquid has been absorbed.
Meanwhile, heat the olive oil and garlic in a large skillet. Add the red and green onions. Saute until softened and a tiny bit browned. Add the kale and mushrooms and saute until the the kale is bright green, about 5 minutes.
Fold the veggies and pepitas into the cooked quinoa.
I placed a little dressing inside the pita, along with a slice or two of avocado, then added the filling, and topped with some more dressing. Enjoy!

Quinoa & Veggies with a Tahini-Miso Dressing

October 15, 2013 by epicureanvegan

Quinoa is such a fantastic lunch option. It’s packed with protein and it can be made so many different ways, that it’s pretty hard to get bored with it. I wanted a light dressing for this and came up with this tangy tahini-miso goodness. I also love adding nuts for a bit of crunch to these types of dishes, so I threw in some toasted almond slivers. Delish!

INGREDIENTS:
1 C quinoa (I like this Rainbow Quinoa from Alter Eco)
2 C vegetable broth or water
1-1/2 to 2 C mushrooms, sliced
6 green onions, sliced
1 C cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 C slivered almonds, toasted
Dressing:
1 tsp tahini
1 Tbs yellow miso
1/8 C almond milk
2 Tbs nutritional yeast
1/8 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp garlic powder
pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:
Rinse the quinoa in fine mesh strainer with cold water. Combine it with the broth (or water) in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until there is just a little bit of water left, about 12-15 minutes. Add the mushrooms and green onions, but don’t combine—cover and let the veggies steam 3-4 minutes. For the dressing, whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth.

Once the mushrooms have softened, stir them into the quinoa. Add the tomatoes, nuts and dressing. I recommend adding a little dressing at a time in case you don’t want it all. I had a little left over.

Gently fold and combine everything. Enjoy!

Quinoa & Veggies with a Tahini-Miso Dressing

Quinoa is such a fantastic lunch option. It's packed with protein and it can be made so many different ways, that it's pretty hard to get bored with it. I wanted a light dressing for this and came up with this tangy tahini-miso goodness. I also love adding nuts for a bit of crunch to these types of dishes, so I threw in some toasted almond slivers. Delish!

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 C quinoa (I like this Rainbow Quinoa from Alter Eco)
2 C vegetable broth or water
1-1/2 to 2 C mushrooms, sliced
6 green onions, sliced
1 C cherry tomatoes, halved
½ C slivered almonds, toasted
Dressing:
1 tsp tahini
1 Tbs yellow miso
⅛ C almond milk
2 Tbs nutritional yeast
⅛ tsp ginger
⅛ tsp garlic powder
pinch of salt

Directions

Rinse the quinoa in fine mesh strainer with cold water. Combine it with the broth (or water) in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until there is just a little bit of water left, about 12-15 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and green onions, but don't combine---cover and let the veggies steam 3-4 minutes.
For the dressing, whisk all of the ingredients together until smooth.
Once the mushrooms have softened, stir them into the quinoa. Add the tomatoes, nuts and dressing. I recommend adding a little dressing at a time in case you don't want it all. I had a little left over.
Gently fold and combine everything. Enjoy!

Quinoa-Rice Salad with Tempeh and “Feta”

July 5, 2013 by epicureanvegan

We had a fabulous July 4th holiday feast with great friends and family. Our friends made these incredible grilled vegetable sandwiches and an outstanding gazpacho! (recipe soon to come, for sure).

Cold quinoa and/or rice salads tend to be ideal for outdoor get togethers, plus, being vegan AND gluten-free, makes it so everyone can enjoy. Granted, there was a lot of prep work for this salad, but you can save yourself some time by making certain things ahead of time. I love the different flavors in this salad, as well as the crunch from the nuts. I made quite a big batch, so feel free to halve the recipe for a smaller crowd.

INGREDIENTS:

Salad:
2 C wild rice mix (cooked in 2-1/4 C vegetable broth)
1 C quinoa (cooked in 1-1/4 C vegetable broth)
1-1/2 C dried apricots, diced
1-1/2 C toasted nuts, chopped (I used walnuts and pecans, but I think pepitas and almond slivers would be great too)
1 C fresh parsley, chopped
Tempeh + marinade:
8-oz pkg. tempeh, cut into small cubes
1/4 C tamari
1 Tbs vegan Worcestershire sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
Tofu “feta”: (adapted)
1 14-oz pkg extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
1/4 C cashews
2 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp yellow or mellow miso
2 Tbs reserved marinade (below)
Marinade:
3 Tbs lemon juice
5 Tbs white wine vinegar
1-1/2 Tbs yellow or mellow miso
1 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
Dressing:
1/2 C lime juice
4 Tbs red wine vinegar
4 Tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
I recommend making the feta and marinating the tempeh ahead of time, even a day or two ahead if you can. I didn’t, and I think the salad still turned out great, but it’ll bring out the flavors even more. We’ll start with the feta.

Slice the tofu into 1/2″ slabs and place into a large dish. Whisk together the feta marinade and coat the tofu thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or preferably over a night or two. Next, blend the cashews, olive oil, miso, and reserved marinade. I used my blender, but I couldn’t get a smooth consistency, so I transferred the mixture to a mortar and pestle, to mash it up even more.

Crumble up the tofu with your fingers, then add the cashew mixture; combine well. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
To make the tempeh, combine all of the marinade ingredients in a medium zip bag and add the tempeh. Let it marinade for several hours to overnight.

When ready, heat a tiny bit of olive oil to a small skillet and add the tempeh. Saute over medium heat until the tempeh has crispy edges.

Meanwhile, cook the rice and quinoa (separately) according to package instructions. I tend to use veggie broth for added flavor. I also used what quinoa I had: some red, some regular.

Combine the two in a large bowl and refrigerate until cooled. (Be sure to place a hot pad or trivet underneath the bowl when placing directly onto a cold, glass refrigerator shelf.) Once cooled, fold in all of the ingredients: nuts, feta, parsley, tempeh, and apricots. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad; fold gently to incorporate everything. Enjoy!

Quinoa-Rice Salad with Tempeh and "Feta"

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

Salad:
2 C wild rice mix (cooked in 2-1/4 C vegetable broth)
1 C quinoa (cooked in 1-1/4 C vegetable broth)
1-1/2 C dried apricots, diced
1-1/2 C toasted nuts, chopped (I used walnuts and pecans, but I think pepitas and almond slivers would be great too)
1 C fresh parsley, chopped
Tempeh + marinade:
8-oz pkg. tempeh, cut into small cubes
¼ C tamari
1 Tbs vegan Worcestershire sauce
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt
1 tsp brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
Tofu "feta": (adapted)
1 14-oz pkg extra firm tofu, drained and pressed
¼ C cashews
2 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp yellow or mellow miso
2 Tbs reserved marinade (below)
Marinade:
3 Tbs lemon juice
5 Tbs white wine vinegar
1-1/2 Tbs yellow or mellow miso
1 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
Dressing:
½ C lime juice
4 Tbs red wine vinegar
4 Tbs olive oil
½ tsp salt

Directions

I recommend making the feta and marinating the tempeh ahead of time, even a day or two ahead if you can. I didn't, and I think the salad still turned out great, but it'll bring out the flavors even more. We'll start with the feta.
Slice the tofu into ½" slabs and place into a large dish. Whisk together the feta marinade and coat the tofu thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for several hours, or preferably over a night or two. Next, blend the cashews, olive oil, miso, and reserved marinade. I used my blender, but I couldn't get a smooth consistency, so I transferred the mixture to a mortar and pestle, to mash it up even more.
Crumble up the tofu with your fingers, then add the cashew mixture; combine well. Keep refrigerated in an airtight container.
To make the tempeh, combine all of the marinade ingredients in a medium zip bag and add the tempeh. Let it marinade for several hours to overnight.
When ready, heat a tiny bit of olive oil to a small skillet and add the tempeh. Saute over medium heat until the tempeh has crispy edges.
Meanwhile, cook the rice and quinoa (separately) according to package instructions. I tend to use veggie broth for added flavor. I also used what quinoa I had: some red, some regular.
Combine the two in a large bowl and refrigerate until cooled. (Be sure to place a hot pad or trivet underneath the bowl when placing directly onto a cold, glass refrigerator shelf.) Once cooled, fold in all of the ingredients: nuts, feta, parsley, tempeh, and apricots. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and pour over the salad; fold gently to incorporate everything. Enjoy!

Quinoa with Dried Apricots and Black Beans

January 22, 2013 by epicureanvegan

The next time someone asks you, “Where do you get your protein?” you can (politely) point out this dish as one of numerous options. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all 9 amino acids essential to human health. It offers up roughly 8 grams of protein per cup and also passes along calcium, iron, folate, manganese, and other vitamins. Black beans also carry nearly 15 grams of protein per cup, so add some veggies and you have healthy lunch!

INGREDIENTS:
1/2 C red quinoa, rinsed and drained
1/2 C regular quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 tsp Better than Bouillon paste
1-1/2 C water
1 C fresh cilantro, chopped
1 C green onions, sliced
1 C dried apricots, chopped
1/3 C pepitas (toasted pumpkin seeds)
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp lime juice
2 Tbs red wine vinegar
2 Tbs olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
In a medium sauce pan, whisk together the bouillon and water; bring to a boil. Stir in the quinoa, cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cilantro, green onion, apricots, pepita seeds, salt, lime juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.

Once the quinoa is finished, add it, along with the black beans to the bowl.

Combine well and enjoy! (You can also chill it in a covered dish and serve cold.)

Quinoa with Dried Apricots and Black Beans

The next time someone asks you, "Where do you get your protein?" you can (politely) point out this dish as one of numerous options. Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all 9 amino acids essential to human health. It offers up roughly 8 grams of protein per cup and also passes along calcium, iron, folate, manganese, and other vitamins. Black beans also carry nearly 15 grams of protein per cup, so add some veggies and you have healthy lunch!

Author: Epicurean Vegan

Ingredients

½ C red quinoa, rinsed and drained
½ C regular quinoa, rinsed and drained
1 tsp Better than Bouillon paste
1-1/2 C water
1 C fresh cilantro, chopped
1 C green onions, sliced
1 C dried apricots, chopped
⅓ C pepitas (toasted pumpkin seeds)
1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp lime juice
2 Tbs red wine vinegar
2 Tbs olive oil

Directions

In a medium sauce pan, whisk together the bouillon and water; bring to a boil. Stir in the quinoa, cover and cook on low for 15-20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the cilantro, green onion, apricots, pepita seeds, salt, lime juice, red wine vinegar, and olive oil.
Once the quinoa is finished, add it, along with the black beans to the bowl.
Combine well and enjoy! (You can also chill it in a covered dish and serve cold.)

Seed n’ Green Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing

Quinoa & Kale Bowls with Orange-Tahini Sauce

Teriyaki-Quinoa Burgers

Quinoa Stir-fry with Avocado

Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa & Black Beans

Quinoa-Tempeh Veggie Wraps

Quinoa & Kale Pitas with Tahini Dressing

Quinoa & Veggies with a Tahini-Miso Dressing

Quinoa-Rice Salad with Tempeh and “Feta”

Quinoa with Dried Apricots and Black Beans

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