Spanish-Style Quinoa

This flavorful quinoa dish is a delicious and higher protein alternative to Spanish rice. This is a nice side dish to a Mexican meal, or it can be used as a filling in burritos. I like my food on the less-salty side, so you may have to adjust the seasonings to your taste.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 60 mins
• Calories: 126 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 2.5 cups water
• 0.25 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the quinoa, onion, garlic, and green pepper. Cook and stir 5 to 10 minutes until the onion is tender, and the quinoa has lightly toasted. Stir in the tomato sauce and water, then season with the chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the liquid is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Stir the quinoa occasionally as it cooks.