Organic Quinoa as a replacement for rice: Quinoa Fried “Rice”

This is a healthier spin on traditional fried rice using quinoa instead of rice, packed with veggies and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup organic quinoa
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp olive oil or sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated (optional)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots mix (or fresh vegetables of choice)
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten (optional for a vegan version)
• 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
• 1 tsp sesame oil (for added flavor)
• 3 green onions, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: tofu, chicken, or shrimp for added protein

Instructions:

1. Cook the quinoa:
   Rinse the quinoa under cold water. In a medium saucepan, combine quinoa with water or vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Set aside and let cool.
2. Sauté the aromatics:
   Heat olive oil or sesame oil in a large pan or wok over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, grated ginger (if using), and diced onion. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3 minutes.
3. Cook the veggies:
   Add the peas and carrots (or other vegetables) to the pan. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 4-5 minutes. You can add any additional veggies here, such as bell peppers, broccoli, or zucchini.
4. Optional: Cook the eggs:
   If using eggs, push the veggies to one side of the pan and pour the beaten eggs onto the empty side. Scramble the eggs until fully cooked, then mix them with the vegetables. If making it vegan, skip this step.
5. Stir in quinoa:
   Add the cooked quinoa to the pan. Toss everything together and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to heat the quinoa and allow it to absorb the flavors.
6. Season:
   Pour the soy sauce or tamari over the quinoa mixture, stirring well to coat. Add sesame oil for extra flavor, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
7. Garnish:
   Top with sliced green onions and serve hot.

Tips:

• You can replace eggs with tofu for a vegan version. Cube and stir-fry the tofu first to make it crispy.
• For added protein, stir in pre-cooked shrimp or chicken.
• Customize the vegetables based on what you have at home—mushrooms, spinach, or snap peas all work well.

This Quinoa Fried “Rice” is a healthier, high-protein alternative to traditional fried rice, keeping all the flavor but making it more nutritious!