Description
This One Pot Moroccan Quinoa is a vibrant and nutritious dish packed with aromatic spices, fresh vegetables, and protein-rich chickpeas. Perfect for a quick, wholesome meal in just 35 minutes, it offers a delightful blend of Moroccan flavors with the wholesome goodness of quinoa.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 carrot, diced
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup frozen green peas
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Heat Oil: Warm olive oil in a large pot over medium heat to prepare the base for sautéing.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add finely chopped onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute to release its fragrance.
- Cook Vegetables: Stir in diced red bell pepper and carrot, cooking for about 5 minutes until the vegetables soften but still retain some texture.
- Add Spices: Mix in ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon. Toast the spices for 1 minute in the pot to enhance their aroma and flavor.
- Add Quinoa and Chickpeas: Stir the rinsed quinoa and drained chickpeas into the vegetable and spice mixture, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Add Broth: Pour in the vegetable broth and stir the mixture to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Bring to Boil: Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a rolling boil to initiate cooking of the quinoa.
- Simmer: Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 minutes, allowing the quinoa to cook thoroughly and absorb the broth.
- Add Peas: Stir frozen green peas into the pot during the last 2 minutes of cooking to heat through without losing their tenderness.
- Season and Garnish: Remove the pot from heat, fluff the quinoa with a fork, season with salt and pepper to taste, and mix in fresh parsley. Serve with lemon wedges for an added zesty flavor.
Notes
- Rinsing quinoa before cooking removes its natural bitterness for a cleaner flavor.
- You can substitute vegetable broth with water plus bouillon cubes if preferred.
- Adjust the seasoning and spices according to your taste tolerance.
- For a vegan version, ensure that the vegetable broth used is free from animal products.
- This dish pairs well with plain yogurt or a side salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Moroccan
