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Quick Quinoa Meals 101
Working as a dietitian I often get asked "what is this quinoa everyone talks about and what do I do with it?" Well, the answer is simple and I am here to share it with you.
Quinoa is a type of whole grain, and is one of the only whole grains that contains all 9 essential amino acids (the building blocks of proteins). Quinoa is also full of heart healthy fats, fiber, and a variety of beneficial nutrients to help your body stay strong and healthy. Quinoa not only makes the perfect base for a variety of delicious salads, but it can also be turned into delicious side dishes, breakfasts, desserts, snacks, and more!
I like to buy a large bag of plain quinoa and cook a few batches in advance, according to package instructions. Once the quinoa is cooked it can be kept in the refrigerator for the next few days as you add a variety of delicious and nutritious ingredients to it to create your own balanced, flavorful meals and snacks.
Check out my list below of twenty 6-ingredient quinoa dish ideas that can be whipped together with whatever nutritious ingredients you have in your own kitchen:
1. Quinoa, blueberries, chopped walnuts, red onion, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar
2. Quinoa, diced bell peppers, chopped scallions, sesame oil, slivered almonds, rice vinegar
3. Quinoa, diced tomatoes, fresh basil, diced red onion, extra-virgin olive oil, crushed red pepper
4. Quinoa, diced cucumber, reduced fat feta cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, white wine vinegar, dried oregano
5. Quinoa, diced apples, chopped pecans, honey, nutmeg, cinnamon
6. Quinoa, shelled edamame beans, whole kernel corn, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, diced vidalia onion
7. Quinoa, lemon juice, kalamata olives, reduced fat feta cheese, diced tomatoes, ground black pepper
8. Quinoa, sliced strawberries, baby spinach, slivered almonds, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar
9. Quinoa, diced avocado, lime juice, fresh cilantro, diced red onion, diced bell peppers
10. Quinoa, shredded chicken, dried cranberries, extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, choppped walnuts
11. Quinoa, shredded carrots, chopped celery, extra-virgin olive oil, dried parsley, crushed fresh garlic
12. Quinoa, chickpeas, diced red onion, diced bell peppers, extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar
13. Quinoa, shredded chicken, sesame oil, low-sodium soy sauce, chopped scallions, sesame seeds
14. Quinoa, chopped kale, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, reduced-fat goat cheese, shelled sunflower seeds
15. Quinoa, diced tomatoes, crushed fresh garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, ground black pepper, lemon juice
Looking for full quinoa recipe ideas? Visit my recipe page today and try out my delicious Mediterranean Quinoa Dinner or Cranberry Orange Breakfast Quinoa!
