Side Dish | Quinoa Pilaf with Cranberries and Almonds

I made this yummy savory sweet dish to take as a side for family Sunday dinner. Everyone who tried it absolutely loved it! I came home with an empty bowl and a new recipe to put in the "keep" folder. I know you'll love this dish too! Quinoa is a super food and is great as a main dish too. Try adding this recipe to a beautiful bed of lettuce for a main course, and if you wish, top with grilled chicken and you are set! I certainly didn't make enough of this and I'm planning on making more tonight to keep in the fridge for lunches this week. Could be served warm or cold. I see summer picnic afternoons with this pilaf! ENJOY!

Quinoa Pilaf with Cranberries & Almonds 

Recipe from Whole Foods

Serves 6

Quinoa is naturally wheat and gluten free and is a good source of complete protein for vegans and vegetarians. Try it in this quick and flavorful pilaf.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 small red onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup sliced almonds 

Method

Heat oil in a medium pot over medium high heat. Add onions and cook, stirring often, until just softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add quinoa and toast, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Stir in broth and salt and bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in cranberries, cover again and continue to cook until liquid is completely absorbed and quinoa is tender, 8 to 10 minutes more. Toss with almonds and serve.

Breakfast | Cashew Craisin Quinoa

Here's the deal. I usually have a green or pink smoothie for breakfast, but when its 20 degrees outside, sometimes that icy drink doesn't sound too hot - literally. SO what's a cold sleepy girl gotta do? Make a yummy pot of creamy Cinnamon Quinoa! 

For todays breakfast I made Cinnamon Quinoa and topped it off with : sprouts, raw cashews and craisins. One word, YUM. I'm a HUGE fan of raw cashews and craisins it's the perfect duo in my opinion. So try it, because you'll like it!

Cinnamon Quinoa

i love me a yummy cinnamony-mapley warm breakfast and this always hits the spot. 

the quinoa seed usually doubles if not triples in size. 

i store leftovers in the fridge for a quick breakfast or snack. 

2 cups water

1 cup quinoa

2-3 tsp ground cinnamon

1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (can also use honey or agave)

dash of real salt

add all ingredients together except quinoa. when water/cinnamon mixture is boiling add quinoa. cover and let simmer for 15 minutes.