Already giving up on that New Year’s resolution of eating healthier? With school getting back into full-swing, it’s harder to find the time to cook, and soon our meals will consist of Kraft Dinner and frozen pizza. Luckily, there is a solution—quinoa. Quick, easy, gluten free, high in protein, and low in calories, quinoa has been called the new super-food. With a preparation time of only approximately 15 minutes, what’s not to love? So before you throw in the towel on healthy eating, give these recipes a try.
Greek quinoa salad
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves 2
Everyone’s favourite Greek salad with a fresh twist.
Ingredients:
10-15 cherry tomatoes
¼ medium-sized cucumber
½ cup feta cheese
½ small onion
1 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup uncooked quinoa
Instructions:
1. Cook quinoa as per package instructions.
2. Chop vegetables into small cubes.
3. Mix quinoa, onions, tomatoes, feta cheese, and cucumber with the olive oil.
4. Top with salt and pepper as desired.
5. Serve cold.
Apple, chicken, goat cheese quinoa salad
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves 2
Hints of orange juice and maple syrup make this dish perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
Ingredients:
½ chicken breast
1 red apple, thinly sliced
¼ cup goat cheese
¼ cup uncooked quinoa
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp maple syrup
1 tsp orange juice
Instructions:
1. Cook quinoa as per package instructions.
2. Cut chicken breast into one-inch cubes and sauté in olive oil on medium-low heat until cooked all the way through.
3. Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, orange juice, and maple syrup.
4. Crumble goat cheese into quinoa and add chicken, apple, and dressing.
5. Serve warm or cold.
High protein quinoa salad
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves 2
Rich in protein, this flavourful Mexican-inspired salad is ideal for a post-workout meal.
Ingredients:
10-15 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup black beans
1 cup canned corn
1 medium sized avocado, cubed
½ cup uncooked quinoa
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
1. Cook quinoa as per package instructions.
2. Mix avocado, tomatoes, corn, and beans into quinoa.
3. Gently mix in olive oil and lime juice.
4. Top with salt and pepper as desired.
5. Serve cold.
Grilled shrimp quinoa
Prep time: 20 minutes
Serves 2
The combination of shrimp, lemon, and garlic is a long-time favourite. When added to some quinoa—voilà—the perfect warm winter meal!
Ingredients:
15-20 medium sized peeled shrimps
1 clove garlic, diced
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp olive oil
Fresh dill
¼ cup uncooked quinoa
Instructions:
1. Cook quinoa as per package instructions.
2. Sauté shrimps in a pan with olive oil and garlic on medium heat until pink.
3. Add quinoa and fry for approximately 30 seconds.
4. Garnish with lemon and dill.
5. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve warm.
Colourful quinoa oatmeal cookies
Adapted from Canadian Living
Prep time: 50 minutes
Makes 65 cookies
Quinoa, with its nutty flavour, puts an exciting and healthy spin on traditional oatmeal cookies.
Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1½ cups brown or white sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1½ cups rolled oats
1 cup cooked quinoa
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup M&M’s
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat oven to 350º F.
2. Cook quinoa as per package instructions.
3. In a bowl, mix together butter, sugar, egg, and vanilla.
4. Whisk flour, salt, baking soda, oats, quinoa, chocolate chips, and M&M’s in a separate bowl and add into butter mixture.
5. Use a teaspoon to drop small balls of batter onto parchment paper.
6. Bake for 8-10 minutes.
