Monday, March 26, 2012

Sweet potato and red pepper quinoa


I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe yet. I've long since lost the original so I can't cite the source of inspiration, but this is how I make it. The combination of cumin, cayenne, and maple syrup is divine. Yams and red pepper provide earthiness and sweetness, and quinoa, as we all know by now, is one of the healthiest things you can possibly consume. The dish scales up easily for a crowd, is best eaten around room temperature, and would certainly travel well. It's absolutely delicious and goes with just about anything; I've served it with everything from steak to salmon to chicken, salmon being our favorite. Sold? Yay! Let's make it!


I've used all manner of sweet potato in this recipe, garnet yams being my favorite, but any will do. Just don't use a regular potato here, it won't be nearly as interesting.


The cilantro is optional for those weirdos who think it tastes like soap, but for us normal people, it add a fresh hit of grassiness that ties the whole dish together.


1/2 cup dry quinoa, rinsed

1 medium yam, peeled and cut into about 1/2" cubes
1 tsp cumin
1/2 a red bell pepper, finely diced
1 shallot or 1/2 a small onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
few pinches cayenne pepper, to taste
1 tbsp pure maple syrup
juice of 1/2 a lemon
handful of cilantro leaves, chopped

In a small pot with a lid, combine the quinoa with a cup of water and sprinkle of kosher salt. Bring to a simmer and cover, stirring occasionally, until the water has all been absorbed. It should take about 10 minutes. Then taste for doneness; it should retain a little pop when you chew it, but not be outright crunchy. If it's still too raw, add a little more water.

While that's happening, heat a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large nonstick pan. When hot, add the yam cubes, sprinkle them with the cumin, and sauté until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes. Next add the red pepper, shallot, and garlic, tossing through and allowing to cook until softened, another 5 or 10 minutes. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and cayenne pepper, then taste one of the larger yam chunks for doneness. If it's tender, add the now-cooked quinoa to the pan along with the maple syrup, lemon juice, and cilantro. Stir thoroughly to combine.

Serves 2, takes half an hour.

8 comments:

  1. I made this last night (sans cilantro) and it was absolutely delicious. I will definitely make it again! Thanks for posting it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. you are welcome! it's one of my favorites. something about that flavor combination is just so special.

    ReplyDelete
  3. With thе availability οf so lots of antique devices, it would
    make it puzzlіng to ρiсk оut.

    Even though yοu hoωever сan't make as major sandwiches as if you had a panini sandwich maker, it is continue to a minimal cost possibility that you can bear in mind due to the fact it does the occupation. You must acknowledge that residing now will under no circumstances be complete without these time conserving equipment.

    My page ... 게시판 - 금성태양면통과 관측 실습지입니다.
    Feel free to visit my homepage - just click the following web site

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks foг shаring уοur info. I trulу аppreciatе уour efforts and I ωill be waiting
    for your next write upѕ thanks onсе again.
    My web site ... Chemietoilette

    ReplyDelete
  5. This pοst ωіll hеlp the internet vіsitοrs foг
    setting up new blоg or eνen a wеblοg frоm start tο
    еnd.
    Also see my webpage - Chemietoilette

    ReplyDelete
  6. I loѵeԁ as much as you will receive сarriеԁ out гіght here.
    The ѕκetсh is taѕtеful, уοur authorеԁ mateгial
    ѕtуlish. nonеthеlеss, you command get gοt
    аn shakіnеѕѕ ονer that you
    wіsh be ԁeliѵering thе followіng.
    unwell unquestiοnably come further fοrmеrlу agаin ѕince eхаctlу the
    samе neаrly a lot οften insiԁe cаse you shiеld this іncrеasе.
    My web page: qog.xenomorph.us

    ReplyDelete
  7. Increaѕe the tеmperatuгe of the oven to 450 degrееs.
    Αll yοu have to do in order to οbtain these сouponѕ is to go to the internet and search for thе one thаt suits you needs then just print them.
    It should be spread onto thе pizza stone or ρan in a layеr less than an inch thick, аnd then the
    squash crust will need to be baked foг at
    leaѕt 20 minutes beforе putting tοppіngs
    on it аnԁ baking again.
    Feel free to visit my blog ... pizza stone

    ReplyDelete
  8. Going to make this tonight with all the fixins, plus some additional ingredients. Looks so yummy!

    ReplyDelete