Quinoa Recipe -- Quinoa Fried "Rice"

This quinoa recipe is a quick and tasty take on Chinese fried rice. Quinoa makes a great substitute for rice in many recipes, especially quinoa fried "rice". Quinoa is a complete protein, which makes this dish a complete meal, even if you leave out the egg--which is an easy way to make this a vegetarian recipe. Of course you can go the other route and throw in a little diced pork chop or ham if you like, but I'm quite happy with just a couple scrambled eggs thrown in. A printable copy of this recipe can be found at http://www.myfoodchannel.com/fried-quinoa-recipe/
Give this quinoa influenced fried rice recipe a try and let me know what you think, and for more easy quinoa recipes check out my quinoa playlist:
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Quinoa Fried Rice Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup QUINOA (before cooking)
1 cup PEAS
1 CARROT (diced)
4-6 GREEN ONIONS (chopped, tops separate)
3-5 cloves GARLIC (finely chopped)
2 Tbsp GINGER (finely chopped)
HOT PEPPERS (as desired, finely chopped)
2 EGGS (scrambled)
2-3 Tbsp OIL for sauting
SOY SAUCE as desired
SESAME OIL 1-2 tsp
SALT and PEPPER to taste

Quinoa Fried Rice Recipe
Directions:
This is a great dish for leftover quinoa. The next time you're making a pot of quinoa for another recipe, just make a little extra for this fried rice recipe knockoff! But if you don't have any leftover cooked quinoa handy, just prepare this quinoa a little ahead of time to give it time to cool down--this will keep the quinoa from easily overcooking and becoming mushy.

Quinoa is easy to prepare--just like rice, in fact! Rinse the quinoa if needed (many brands come pre-rinsed). In a pot, add 1 cup quinoa to 2 cups water. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce pot to a simmer, and then cover and let cook 13 minutes (this will result in slightly al-dente quinoa, which is what you want for frying). Remove the quinoa from the heat and let sit for 10 minutes.
Then fluff with a fork and allow to cool completely (salt if desired).

For fried rice, I like to scramble my eggs first and then set aside. I Use two eggs for this recipe, but feel free to use 1, or 3, or none if you want a vegetarian fried quinoa. Whisk the eggs (add a splash of milk if desired--makes scrambled eggs smoother). Heat oil in a skillet and quickly scramble eggs on med-high heat and then set aside for later.

In a large skillet, heat 2-3 Tbsp oil on medium.

Add raw, diced carrots (should be about pea size). Add chopped hot peppers, too--if desired. I like adding a little fresh red chili peppers for taste, but jalapenos would work just as well, or red pepper flakes, or even just a little sriracha later, if desired--or no heat at all--it's up to your tastes; follow your heart, but spicy food is good for you, right?

Saut the carrot and peppers for a minute and then add the ginger, garlic, and chopped green onion bottoms (reserve the chopped tops for a flavorful garnish).

Continue sauting another minute and then add in the quinoa. Stir fry until heated through, this won't take very long.

Add sesame oil and peas. I like to use frozen peas (thawed), because they hold their texture better than canned peas. Stir until mixed. Add soy sauce to taste. Add fish sauce if desired. The sauces will provide plenty of salt, but if you want a little black pepper, go ahead and throw that in now.

Mix up and then add the scrambled egg. Mix and fry for another minute and then remove from the heat.

That's it.

This dish is ready pretty quick. Top the fried quinoa with chopped green onion, crushed peanuts, or both. Serve fried quinoa it's own or with a veggie side (broccoli or bok choy or Thai eggplant are nice).

Give this Quinoa Fried Rice recipe a try and let me know what you think, and bon apptit!


The music is "Easy Jam" by Kevin MacLeod. Music track used with permission Creative Commons: By Attribution and found at this link:
Firmament by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a CC Attribution 3.0.
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100245

The music is "Cool Intro" by Kevin MacLeod. Music track used with permission Creative Commons: By Attribution and found at this link:
Firmament by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a CC Attribution 3.0.
http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100504