Quinoa Vegetable Pilaf Simple and Flavorful Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium carrot, diced
• 1 medium bell pepper, chopped (any color)
• 1 medium zucchini, diced
• 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• to taste salt and pepper
• for garnish fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
2. Add the minced garlic, diced carrot, bell pepper, and zucchini to the pot. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the vegetables start to soften.
3. Stir in the cumin and smoked paprika, allowing the spices to toast for 1-2 minutes, releasing their fragrances.
4. Add the rinsed quinoa to the pot and stir it until it’s coated with the vegetable mixture.
5. Pour in the vegetable broth, season with salt and pepper, and bring the mixture to a boil.
6. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is cooked and fluffy.
7. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the green peas, stirring them into the pilaf.
8. Once done, remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before fluffing the quinoa with a fork.
9. Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.