Quinoa with Garbanzos and Spinach

My friend Tom posted this recipe on Facebook on Monday, and I knew right away I had to make it.  Not only do I like all of the ingredients, but I had everything already at home from the week's CSA haul.  This makes a delicious side dish or a full meal on its own, and it's another healthy vegetarian dish to add to your reportoire.  

Quinoa with Garbanzos and Spinach

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2¼ cups water or stock
• Pinch of salt
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 6-8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ cup dried cherries
• 1 pound spinach leaves
• 1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• Juice and zest from 2 oranges

Directions:

1. Wash quinoa and toast in a dry pan for a few minutes, until it smells nutty.
2. Boil water and add salt and quinoa. Turn heat to low and simmer, covered for 20 minutes.
3. Heat oil in a skillet and sauté onions and garlic for 10 minutes on medium.
4. Add cherries, spinach, garbanzo beans and a pinch of salt. Cover and cook 3-5 minutes until spinach has wilted.
5. Mix quinoa together with the other ingredients in a large bowl.
6. Add orange juice and zest and stir gently.
7. Add additional salt and pepper to taste.

Notes:
The only changes I made from the original recipe were adding garlic and slightly changing the amounts (1 can of garbanzo beans instead of 1 cup).  I used chicken stock to cook the quinoa, so mine wasn't technically vegetarian, but it would be just as good with vegetable stock.  I didn't add any additional salt or pepper, but if you cook the quinoa just with water, you'll probably want to add a little bit.

 

Comments

[Red Wing Boots]

I just sent this post to a bunch of my friends as I agree with most of what you’re saying here and the way you’ve presented it is awesome.