I don’t remember where I first found this recipe. I have mailboxes on my phone where I save recipes that I have seen and want to keep and /or try later. Looking for a side dish the other night I found this recipe. It is delish! I changed the sweetener from sugar to maple syrup and it was really good. The fruit I added was dried cranberries that are unsweetened and raisins, although if I would have had currants I would have added them because they are not quite as sweet as the raisins are. Also, I like the idea of adding some kind of nuts. My preference would be slivered almonds, but toasted sunflower seeds would be good to or any nuts you prefer. I apologize for not giving credit to the author of this recipe, but I did make a couple changes…
Quinoa Pilaf with Dried Fruits
Ingredients
2 cups quinoa, rinsed
3 cups boiling water
4 tbsp olive oil – divided
2 onions, chopped
4 carrots, chopped
2 cups dried fruit, chopped if necessary
pinch of cinnamon
1 tbsp maple syrup
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 tbsp kosher salt
1/4 cup slivered almonds, optional ( any nut of your choice)
Method
- Put the quinoa into the boiling water. Stir, Cover and reduce heat. Simmer until tender and the water has been absorbed.
- While the quinoa is cooking, heat 2 tbsp of oil in a saucepan.
- Add onions and carrots and cook until tender
- Add the dried fruit, cinnamon, maple syrup, lemon juice and salt. Mix to combine and cook a bit longer. The dried fruit will soften up as it warms in the pan
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa and the mixture from the saucepan. Add the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, the lemon juice and the nuts.
***The original recipe says this serves 8 -10 people, but of course the number of servings depends on how big the servings are!!
***This is good served warm as a side dish, room temperature or cold right from the fridge which is how I aml eating the leftovers!
***It is also delish as a salad, add some washed and trimed spinach or chopped kale.
