TFF: Megan's Challenge, Quinoa Pilaf


It is time again for Megan's Challenge, our optional Tyler Florence Fridays recipe of the month, and I really, really pushed this one until the very end. This bowl is sitting on my counter right now, I haven't eaten it yet, just tasted.

I like quinoa but don't make it often as I'm the only one in the house who will eat it. So I was interested when I read Megan's selection for the month, but admit, I automatically decided I was removing the olives. I don't like olives. Or currents. Everything else I left the same, except I garnished with green onions (I didn't have any red on hand) instead of mint.

And I'm going to make one more change to it - I'm going to add in some crumpled feta cheese. My one taste found it needed something salty to replace the olives and to give it some umph and feta it will be.

I'm eating this for lunch today, which isn't that far away now, so I think I'll go add the feta in now, to give things time to mingle and meld together.

Btw, don't forget your congrats to Beth, last week's "winner" post, with her Roasted Tomatillo Salsa, who is featured on Tyler's blog.


Quinoa Pilaf
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon salt and pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon preserved lemon rind, finely diced
1 tomato, finely chopped
1 (15-ounce) can artichoke hearts in water, drained and quartered
1/2 red onion, diced
(I didn't have any, used green onions, scallions, instead)
1/2 cup black olives, pitted
(left these out)
1/4 cup currants
(left these out)
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
(I used more green onion)

In a small saucepan, combine broth, quinoa, bay leaf, turmeric, salt, pepper and olive oil in a saucepan. Stir in preserved lemon and cover. Simmer until water is absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Turn off heat. Add tomato, artichokes, onion, olives and currants, mix well to combine. Top with mint and serve.



9 comments:

Megan said...

Well at least you have a photo to prove you made it - which is more than I can say.

And what do you mean you don't like olives? Olives rule!!

Joanne said...

Whenever I make quinoa, my dad peers over it and goes what IS that. Quinoa, I respond. Keewah?, my mother asks even though I've made it more than a dozen times. They've even eaten it. And liked it. And yet they still act like they've never heard of it. Too funny.

I like your version a lot even though I AM an olive-eater.

NKP said...

I think feta and green onions are a great idea, I loved how versatile this choice was.

Deb in Hawaii said...

It looks great. Feta would be an excellent option to add in I think. I am OK with olives but feta--yum!

Kim said...

Feta cheese was a great choice to replace the olives!! I wish I would've gotten around to making this one. It looks great and I wonder if you can serve it both hot and cold??

Peabody said...

I do love me some quinoa, so much protien!

Katy said...

hmm..I may have to go back and try this one. Although I'm the only one at my house that will even *try* quinoa...well, maybe the little one would. Glad to hear you liked it!!

Miranda said...

I have never made quinoa...I am not sure how it will go with the kids and husband.
I might try this...Test it out.

Thanks Jenny

Anonymous said...

I love quinoa. This sounds awesome.