This delightful dish combines the nutty flavor of quinoa with the crispy, caramelized goodness of roasted brussels sprouts. It's a nutritious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a healthy lunch option. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the natural flavors to shine, making it a favorite for those who appreciate wholesome, plant-based meals.
If you don't usually cook with quinoa, it's a versatile and protein-rich grain that you can find in the grains or health food section of most supermarkets. Brussels sprouts are typically found in the produce section, and they should be firm and bright green. Make sure to pick up some olive oil if you don't have it at home, as it is essential for roasting the brussels sprouts to perfection.
Ingredients For Quinoa With Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Quinoa: A protein-rich grain that serves as the base of the dish, providing a nutty flavor and fluffy texture.
Water: Used to cook the quinoa, ensuring it becomes tender and fluffy.
Brussels sprouts: These small, cabbage-like vegetables are roasted to bring out their natural sweetness and achieve a crispy texture.
Olive oil: Essential for roasting the brussels sprouts, adding a rich flavor and helping them to crisp up in the oven.
Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the quinoa and brussels sprouts.
Black pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor to the dish.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
When roasting brussels sprouts, make sure to place them cut side down on the baking sheet. This allows for maximum caramelization, resulting in a deeper, richer flavor. Additionally, spreading them out in a single layer ensures even roasting and prevents steaming, which can make them soggy.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
quinoa - Substitute with couscous: Couscous has a similar texture and can absorb flavors well, making it a good alternative to quinoa.
quinoa - Substitute with bulgur wheat: Bulgur wheat has a nutty flavor and a similar nutritional profile, making it a suitable replacement.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds more flavor to the dish compared to plain water.
halved brussels sprouts - Substitute with broccoli florets: Broccoli has a similar texture and can be roasted to achieve a comparable taste.
halved brussels sprouts - Substitute with cauliflower florets: Cauliflower roasts well and has a mild flavor that pairs nicely with quinoa.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for roasting.
olive oil - Substitute with grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is also suitable for high-heat cooking and has a light flavor.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a different layer of umami flavor while still providing the necessary saltiness.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can offer a slightly different texture and mineral content compared to regular table salt.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a milder flavor and can be used to achieve a similar level of spiciness.
black pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper adds a bit more heat and a different flavor profile, but can still enhance the dish.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Store / Freeze This Dish
Allow the quinoa and roasted brussels sprouts to cool to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
Transfer the cooled mixture to an airtight container. For best results, use a container that fits the amount of food closely to minimize air exposure.
Store the container in the refrigerator. The dish will stay fresh for up to 4 days.
If you plan to keep the dish longer, consider freezing it. Place the quinoa and brussels sprouts in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The dish can be frozen for up to 2 months.
When ready to eat, thaw the frozen quinoa and brussels sprouts in the refrigerator overnight.
Reheat the dish in a microwave or on the stovetop. If using a microwave, cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or wrap to retain moisture. For stovetop reheating, add a splash of olive oil or water to prevent sticking and to refresh the flavors.
For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon juice after reheating.
How to Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the quinoa and roasted brussels sprouts evenly on a baking sheet. Cover with aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through.
Stovetop Method: In a large skillet, add a splash of olive oil or a bit of vegetable broth. Add the quinoa and roasted brussels sprouts and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
Microwave Method: Place the quinoa and roasted brussels sprouts in a microwave-safe dish. Add a tablespoon of water or vegetable broth to keep it moist. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Steamer Method: If you have a steamer basket, place the quinoa and roasted brussels sprouts in it. Steam over boiling water for about 5 minutes, or until heated through. This method helps retain moisture and keeps the texture intact.
Air Fryer Method: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the quinoa and roasted brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Oven: Used to roast the brussels sprouts at 400°F (200°C) until they are crispy.
Baking sheet: A flat sheet used to spread the brussels sprouts for roasting.
Mixing bowl: Used to toss the brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Pot: Used to cook the quinoa by bringing water to a boil and then simmering.
Fork: Used to fluff the cooked quinoa before mixing it with the roasted brussels sprouts.
Colander: Used to rinse the quinoa under cold water before cooking.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the quinoa and water accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
How to Save Time on Making This Dish
Preheat the oven early: Start preheating your oven while you prepare the brussels sprouts to save time.
Use pre-rinsed quinoa: Purchase pre-rinsed quinoa to skip the rinsing step and save a few minutes.
Batch roasting: Roast extra brussels sprouts for future meals, cutting down on prep time later.
Simultaneous cooking: Cook the quinoa while the brussels sprouts are roasting to streamline the process.
Meal prep: Prepare larger quantities of quinoa and brussels sprouts in advance to quickly assemble meals throughout the week.
Quinoa With Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 1 lb Brussels sprouts halved
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- 2. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet.
- 3. Roast Brussels sprouts for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
- 4. While Brussels sprouts are roasting, rinse quinoa under cold water.
- 5. In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes.
- 6. Fluff quinoa with a fork and mix with roasted Brussels sprouts.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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