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10 Easy Quinoa Recipes

A Couple Cooks

10 Easy Quinoa Recipes

Check out our favorite delicious and easy quinoa recipes, from enchiladas to quinoa salad recipes to vegan chili. You’re sure to find a favorite!

In just a few years, quinoa has become a majorly popular food. When Alex and I first started A Couple Cooks eight years ago, quinoa was relatively new. This supergrain is now a staple in our weekly meals, and it’s super delicious too. Over the years we’ve created all sorts of quinoa recipes. So we thought we’d share our top 10 easy quinoa recipes with you! All these quinoa recipes have become family favorites in our house, and we hope they will in yours too!

Quinoa (KEEN-wah) is one of the world’s most perfect foods (according to some) due to its high nutritional content. It’s actually a seed, not a grain, which makes it naturally gluten free. Compared to other vegetables, quinoa is high in protein, calcium, Vitamin B, and iron. Fun fact: apparently the Incas thought it was sacred, because eating it regularly appeared to provide a long, healthy life. Because of all these benefits, we love making quinoa recipes!

How to cook quinoa

There are a few ways to cook quinoa. Over the years, Alex and I have messed up quinoa numerous times: cooking it too fast so it’s hard and crunchy, or overcooking it so it’s mushy. I will say, how to cook quinoa is not a simple matter! We have two methods we like to use to cook quinoa:

Perfect Quinoa on the Stovetop This is our master recipe for cooking quinoa on the stovetop. It takes about 25 to 30 minutes, and it requires a little baby sitting to make sure the liquid is cooking out evenly, but it’s mostly hands off. Instant Pot Quinoa (Pressure Cooker) Instant PotIf you have a pressure cooker, you can use it to make quinoa! It takes about 16 minutes and is almost totally hands off! This is the method we’ve started to use more often, since we have an Instant Pot. And now…our top 10 easy quinoa recipes! Veggie Packed Quinoa Fried Rice

First up in our list of easy quinoa recipes, this quinoa fried rice! This unique take on fried rice is made with quinoa instead of rice, and packed with baby greens: spinach, chard and kale. Alex and I make quinoa fried rice without a recipe all the time as an easy weeknight meal. Once you make this recipe a few times, you can get the hang of it and customize to use up the veggies in your fridge. This is one of our top favorite quinoa recipes: and especially for using up leftovers, since it’s made with cold quinoa!

Tropical Mango Quinoa Bowls

Next in our list is one of our favorite vegan quinoa recipes: these tropical mango bowls! They take just 30 minutes to make and are full of zesty flavor. The quinoa bowls include fresh mango, red pepper, red cabbage, avocado, fresh greens, cilantro and cashews. It’s topped off with a vegan cashew citrus drizzle, a combination of cashews, orange and lime juice, and fresh ginger. It’s so, so good and tastes like it took hours to put together! It’s a quinoa salad recipe that doubles as a main dish.

Feta and Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

This quinoa stuffed peppers recipe is a colorful and delicious healthy dinner, full of Mediterranean flavors like lemon, parsley and feta. Roasting peppers is quite easy: it takes just 30 minutes and you can do it while preparing the remainder of the recipe. To make the quinoa filling, saute shallot and garlic, then add the quinoa, chopped pistachios, parsley, paprika, oregano and lemon. Then stuff the filling into the peppers and sprinkle everything with a healthy dose of feta cheese.

Tip: To make this a vegan quinoa recipe, omit the feta.

Quinoa Black Bean Vegan Chili

Another one of our vegan quinoa recipes, this quinoa black bean vegan chili is a fan favorite! This savory, hearty quinoa vegan chili is packed with protein. It’s simple and flavorful, light on the chili powder so the other flavors can shine. The secret ingredients are a bit of adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chili peppers in adobo (available at most groceries in the ethnic foods aisle), and a bit of white wine vinegar stirred in at the end for some brightness. It’s gotten rave reviews for years!

Artichoke & Quinoa Vegetarian Enchiladas

These delicious vegetarian enchiladas are stuffed with artichokes and quinoa! They’re a filling vegetarian recipe that’s perfect for feeding a crowd. When Alex first tried this quinoa recipe, he said the meatiness of the filling reminded him of chicken — which is big praise for a recipe that has no meat. Oh and they also look gorgeous! Topped with thinly sliced red onion rings, the lovely purple circles contrast against the bright Monterrey jack cheese, fresh cilantro, and crumbled queso fresco.

Tip: To make this an easy quinoa recipe, use storebought salsa verde instead of making your own.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Bowl

Another favorite quinoa recipe, our Mediterranean Quinoa Salad Bowl features greens, feta cheese, kalamata olives and a quinoa tomato sofrito blend. It’s a copycat of a delicious Panera quinoa salad we made for a reader request! Sofrito is a sauce used as a base in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Latin American cooking. Typically in Spanish cuisine, it’s garlic, onion, paprika, and tomatoes cooked in olive oil. The sofrito is mixed with cooked quinoa to become the quinoa tomato sofrito blend, which adds an almost meaty texture. It’s another quinoa salad recipe that doubles as main dish.

Tip: To make this a vegan quinoa recipe, omit the feta cheese.

Vegetarian Bibimbap Bowl with Quinoa

This easy quinoa recipe uses quinoa instead of rice in the traditional bibimbap dish! Bibimbap is a Korean rice bowl full of pickled vegetables, savory sauce, and a runny egg, all stirred together into delicious savory goodness. This quinoa bowl is an interpretation of the original flavors, using green beans, quick pickled carrots and radishes, and topping it all off with a sauce made with gochujang, Korean chili paste! It’s so, so flavorful.

Veggie Quinoa Burgers

This easy quinoa recipe takes a bit of time to put together, but it’s totally worth it! These flavorful quinoa burgers are easy to make and keep well in the fridge for several days. You can eat them with a bun, or place them on a bed of greens for a gluten free option. Top with hummus and avocado and dig in!

Stress Relieving Avocado Quinoa Salad Bowl

Another in our list of vegan quinoa recipes, this avocado quinoa salad is a delicious and hearty bowl full of stress relieving foods! It’s drizzled with a zesty cocoa vinaigrette. Each one of the foods in this avocado quinoa salad helps to replenish nutrients in times of stress! This nutritious bowl includes avocado, raw cacao, almonds, citrus, cauliflower, and greens. And not only is it nutritious: it’s delicious too!

Go Green Bowls with Lemon Yogurt Sauce

Our final in the list of easy quinoa recipes, these Go Green bowls are surprisingly filling and satisfying! The bowl is filled with quinoa, brocolli, kale, and fresh greens. If you can find it, brocolini is a fun addition with its elegant, long stems. And just about anything tastes good when smothered in this lemon yogurt sauce! We wanted to create a savory, creamy delicious yogurt sauce that would work on just about anything: roasted vegetables, salads, and grain bowls. Alex had the idea of broiling lemon peel and garlic before blending them into the yogurt sauce. It makes the flavor pop in a way that’s indescribable!

Tip: To make this a vegan quinoa recipe, use our Best Lemon Tahini Sauce.

A Couple Cooks - Recipes for Healthy & Whole Living

Minimalist Baker

4-Ingredient Easy Vegan Brownies

For a while now, I’ve been wanting to make a brownie that is so easy that it can be made quickly, with minimal equipment, and with ingredients I always have on hand. I imagined the texture and flavor I wanted and worked backward from there. And friends, I can’t tell you how happy I am with the results! Let’s make ooey-gooey vegan brownies!

The base of this 4-ingredient, 30-minute, 1-bowl recipe is dates, which create the fudgy texture, naturally sweeten the brownies, and bind the batter as well.

4-Ingredient Easy Vegan Brownies from Minimalist Baker →

A Sweet Pea Chef

How to Make Healthy Banana Nut Bread (Without Added Sugar!)

Got extra ripe bananas? Here’s a super yummy, healthy, and easy banana nut bread recipe. This moist banana bread has just the right amount of walnuts, and makes a great breakfast or healthy snack.  Plus it contains no added sweeteners!

Do you ever randomly decide that you want to bake something?

You know…if you’re craving something and then suddenly realize you happen to have all the ingredients. And you start going into a baking frenzy. Do you ever do that?  Or is it just me?

Thank goodness for ripe bananas and random cravings because they brought this banana bread with walnuts to life.

And not to spoil things for you but it’s oh-so-good. And quick and easy. And totes delicious.  All my fave things!

Plus is there any better smell than that of banana walnut bread baking in the oven? It’s heavenly, don’t you think? The sweet smell of bananas and walnuts with a touch of cinnamon and bread loaf goodness.

Y.U.M.M.Y.

I’m not kidding when I say that this banana nut bread can be prepped and in the oven within 7 minutes.  Seven minutes. Man, I love quick banana bread recipes! Especially the healthy ones.

I’ll share all the secrets of this banana bread including how to make banana bread healthy, how to make low sugar banana bread, how ripe should bananas be for banana bread, how to ripen bananas for banana bread, how to store banana bread, and how to freeze banana bread.  Keep reading!

After this post, banana nut bread will be a piece of cake.

HOW TO MAKE BANANA NUT BREAD

Some people are intimidated by baking recipes. And, to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of baking, either. I get freaked out about baking soda and baking powder or yeast and I don’t want to mess anything up and ruin it.  But I really promise you that this easy healthy banana bread recipe will be a success.  Just follow these easy steps.

To make healthy banana bread:

preheat the oven to 350 degrees F; prep the loaf pan; mash the ripe bananas in a mixing bowl; add the egg and vanilla over the mashed bananas and stir to combine; mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl; add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients; stir to combine but don’t over-mix; fold in the nuts; pour the mixture in the loaf pan and bake.

Pretty simple, right?

IS BANANA BREAD HEALTHY?

Wait, Lacey… you went on and on about healthy banana nut bread but… is banana bread healthy? Like for realz?

Look, I’m not gonna lie, banana bread is not usually that healthy, despite being made with bananas. And, before I started my clean eating journey, my banana bread wasn’t healthy, either. It had tons of butter and sugar. Plus all-purpose flour.

I know, not that healthy.

But, after experimenting with other healthy bread recipes and even healthy banana nut muffins, I realized I can totally make any bread healthy. Including this banana nut bread!

So yes, this is healthy banana bread. For realz.

HOW RIPE SHOULD BANANAS BE FOR BANANA BREAD?

This is a frequently asked banana bread question.  And the answer is – really ripe. Like so ripe that you wouldn’t eat them because they’re too mushy. Basically, bananas are perfect for banana bread when they are almost entirely dark brown or black. This is how ripe they ideally should be. You know why? Because the riper the bananas, the sweeter the taste of the banana bread. This is one of the secrets of this no added sweetener banana bread.

However, don’t be sad if you don’t have overripe bananas. You can still make this low sugar banana bread without adding sugar to the recipe. You just have to learn how speed up the process of ripening bananas!

How to ripen bananas for banana bread:

line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper; place the unpeeled bananas on the baking sheet; bake for approximately 20 minutes at 350 degrees F or until the bananas blackened.

OR

un-peel the bananas; place them on a microwave safe plate; microwave them for 30 seconds.

You can use these methods to ripen bananas for banana bread, but also for other banana recipes, including banana cake.

MAKING LOW SUGAR BANANA BREAD

This low sugar banana bread is everything you want in banana bread…

it’s dense; it’s moist; it’s flavorful; it has texture from the walnuts; it’s healthy; it’s definitely a keeper.

Curious how to make how to make healthy banana bread that is low sugar? Here’s what you should do:

replace all-purpose flour with whole-wheat flour; replace butter with coconut oil; use really ripe bananas and skip adding any additional sugar or sugar alternatives, which is exactly what I did with this healthy banana bread and it turns out perfectly and sweet enough despite being sugar-free.

Considering just how much sugar banana bread usually calls for, I think you’ll be very pleasantly surprised to see how sweet this banana nut bread actually is.

HOW TO STORE BANANA BREAD

Believe me, it WILL be hard to resist eating the entire banana nut bread in one sitting.  But if you do, you have to store it properly. Which means wrapping it in plastic to maximize shelf life and to keep it moist and dense.

You can store banana bread…

at room temperature (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap) for 1-2 days; in the fridge (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap) or about a week; or in the freezer (wrapped tightly in plastic wrap) for up to 3 months.

3 MORE HEALTHY BREAD RECIPES

I hope you’re excited to try this banana nut bread recipe, and I can’t wait for you to try it and tell me how you like it. In the meantime, I’ll share 3 more healthy bread recipes because you deserve all the healthy and yummy breads in the world.

ONE BOWL HEALTHY PUMPKIN BREAD

A favorite healthy bread recipe of mine, besides the healthy banana bread (doh!), is this One Bowl Healthy Pumpkin Bread.

This pumpkin bread is another low sugar bread recipe that makes moist, healthy, and delicious bread. With amazing pumpkin flavors. Plus it’s super easy to make and ready in less than an hour. Get the recipe.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD

Healthy, simple, delicious, and perfect for chocolate cravings. That’s how I’d describe this Chocolate Zucchini Bread.

Zucchini in chocolate bread? Yes. Zucchini is good in chocolate bread and the taste of the bread is totes amazing. I promise you that. Get the recipe.

APPLE PUMPKIN BREAD

The last recipe on today’s healthy bread recipes shortlist is my Apple Pumpkin Bread. Perfect for cold months and with amazing pumpkin and apple flavors, this bread is definitely yummy.

Of course, it’s also healthy and clean eating approved. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Get the recipe.

How to Make Healthy Banana Nut Bread (Without Added Sugar!)

Got extra ripe bananas? Here’s a super yummy, healthy, and easy banana nut bread recipe. This moist banana bread has just the right amount of walnuts, and makes a great breakfast or healthy snack.  Plus it contains no added sweeteners!

5 very ripe bananas, (mashed) 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp sea salt 1/2 cup raw walnuts, (chopped) 1/2 tsp coconut oil, (for greasing loaf pan)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9×5 inch loaf pan with parchment paper, holding it steady with a little coconut oil, if needed.

In a medium mixing bowl, mash the bananas using a fork or potato masher.

Add the egg and vanilla and stir to combine. Set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and sea salt. Mix well. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Do not over mix. Fold in the walnuts. Pour the mix into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean and top is golden brown

This post contains affiliate links for products I use often and highly recommend.

The post How to Make Healthy Banana Nut Bread (Without Added Sugar!) appeared first on A Sweet Pea Chef.

In Chicago, a Reclaimed Swedish Heritage for a New Bakery

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The Ultimate Guide to Japanese Tableware

This is the ultimate guide to Japanese tableware and table set-up. You’ll learn about the important components (what bowls and plates to use, their sizes & functions), and table arrangement on how to set up a Japanese meal. 

Are you interested in serving the Japanese meal (or known as Washoku 和食) in a traditional Japanese setting? Imagine re-creating the dining experience you’ve had from your memorable ryokan stay from your very own home? In this post, I’ll show you exactly what you will need for tableware to present a typical Japanese meal. I also included the measurements so you can find similar-size western plates and bowls if you have to use them.

Trust me, everyone can pull off a Japanese-style table setting with ease and confidence. Let’s get to it!

The Must-Have Japanese Tableware

1. Rice Bowl (Ochawan or Chawan) お茶碗

The most “personal” element among the Japanese tableware is the rice bowl. In Japan, each family member may have their own personal rice bowl dish with different sizes and materials. Dad may get a big ceramic rice bowl, mom may use a porcelain rice bowl with sakura pattern, the daughter may use a modern cat design rice bowl, and the son may use a character print on the rice bowl.

There is a couple rice bowl set called Meoto Chawan (夫婦茶碗). The husband gets the big bowl and the wife gets the smaller bowl. There are also rice bowls for children, while toddlers use plastic rice bowls (yes, Japanese toddlers can be picky and temperamental during mealtime too).

The concept here is about customization for personal liking, which I think makes the dining fun and intimate. Since Japanese cuisine focuses on seasonality, you may change up the bowls based on the seasons.

Size:

• 12 cm/4.7″ (4寸) in diameter, 6 cm/2.4″ in height, contains 150 g/5.3 oz of steamed rice.
• 11.4 cm/4.5″ in diameter, 5.7 cm/2.3″ in height, and contains 130 g/4.6 oz of steamed rice (for a female bowl of Meoto Chawan)

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2. Soup Bowl (Shiruwan or Owan) 汁椀・お椀

Since shiruwan or owan is used to serve hot soup, it is often made with the wooden material. Unlike rice bowls, everyone in the family typically uses the same type.

On a special day or holiday, soup is served in a shiruwan/owan with a lid. It is usually lacquered and has beautiful designs such as flowers.

Size:

• 12 cm/4.7″ (4寸) in diameter, 6 cm/2.4″ in height, contains 220-280 ml/roughly 1 cup of liquid.

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3. Medium Plate (Chu-zara) 中皿

This plate is mainly used to serve the main dish (主菜). When you have a table with big serving plates and bowls in the middle, these medium plates can be used as an individual plate.

When used in a non-typical Ichiju Sansai setting, you can use this medium plate for a toast, etc.

This plate is very helpful so it’s nice to have variations of designs, shapes, and materials for different seasons and table settings.

Size:

• 21 cm/8.3″ (7寸皿) – A perfect dish for Ichiju Sansai’s main dish. A serving plate for a la carte.
• 18 cm/7″ (6寸皿) – A dish to fit Shokupan (Japanese pullman loaf). Good size for single serving salad and side dish.

Side Notes for Big Plate (Oh-zara 大皿): 

• 30 cm/11.8″ (10寸皿・尺寸皿) – A serving platter for a big party, sashimi platter.
• 27 cm/10.6″ (9寸皿) – A serving platter for 4, great for plating ingredients for hot pot.
• 24 cm/9.4″ (8寸皿) – A one-plate dish for pasta and curry.

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4. Small Plate (Ko-zara) 小皿

These small plates are perfect for side dishes, desserts, and snacks, or you can use them as an extra plate to share.

Smaller plates can be used as an accent for the table setting. Have fun collecting different colors and shapes to spice up your table.

Size:

• 15 cm/5.9″ (5寸皿) – Goof size for an extra plate to share or a slice of cake.
• 12 cm/4.7″ (4寸皿) – Good for small dishes like Cold Tofu, pickles, and Japanese sweets (wagashi).

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5. Tiny Plate (Mame-zara) 豆皿

Mame-zara is used for soy sauce for sashimi, spice/condiments, or garnish (green onion, grated ginger) for Cold Soba, or small ingredient.

Size:

• 9 cm/3.5″ (3寸皿) – Good for bite-size dishes or condiments like soy sauce.
• 6 cm/2.4″ (2寸皿) – Good size for putting a garnish. It can be used as a chopstick rest.

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6. Small Bowl (Kobachi) 小鉢

Kobachi is a small bowl normally used to hold Sunomono (vinegared salad), Aemono (dressed dish), Nimono (simmered dish), or Chinmi (special delicacies). It also can be used as an individual dish for hot pot.

There is no “specific” size for kobachi bowls, but there are three rough sizes listed here.

Size for Small Kobachi: Roughly 12 cm/4.7″ in diameter.

Side Notes for Medium & Big Kobachi Bowls: 

• 15 cm/5.9″ (5寸) in diameter (Medium Bowl, 中鉢) – Perfect for a two-serving main dish (with soup/sauce) or single-serving soup and donburi dish.
• Roughly 22 cm/8.7″(7寸) in diameter (Big Bowl, 大鉢) – Perfect for a four-serving main dish (with soup/sauce) or single-serving noodle soup dish.

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How to Set up the Table For Japanese-style Dining

Before setting up the table, it is helpful to understand the elements of a Japanese meal. Known as the Ichiju Sansai, a typical Japanese meal at home involves one rice with several side dishes and a soup. I included a more in-depth article on Ichiju Sansai for your reference.

The location of each dish is set for Ichiju Sansai: Steamed rice on the left front, and soup on the right front. Then the main dish is behind the soup, and side dish 1 is behind the steamed rice.  Side dish 2 and pickles are located in the middle space.

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Chopsticks & Chopstick Rest

When you serve a meal in Japanese table setting, chopsticks and chopstick rests (hashioki) are a must-item. You may ask if chopstick rests are necessary. Well, chopstick rests are there for hygiene reason so the used chopsticks don’t touch the table. Plus, don’t you think they add a nice accent to the setting?

There are so many designs for chopsticks and chopstick rests, and it’s fun to collect them so you switch them up for different seasons and occasions.

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Bonus: Nice-to-Have Tableware

These are not essential, but they are a great add-on for those of you who cook Japanese dishes regularly. If you have the kitchen space, you should consider getting them:

1. Rice/Noodle Bowl (Donburi) 5寸深丼

A large bowl used for soba or udon noodle soup as well as rice bowl (donburi) dish.

Size: 15 cm/5.9″ in diameter, 8.5 cm/3.3″ in height contains 900 ml.

2. Ramen Bowl (Ramen Bachi) ラーメン鉢

A large bowl used for ramen.

Size: 18 cm/7″ in diameter, 9.5 cm/3.1″ in height, contains 1400 ml.

3. Soba Dipping Dish (Sobachoko) 蕎麦ちょこ

A tube-shaped dish used for soba dipping sauce and small dishes.

Size: 8 cm/3.1″ in diameter, 7 cm/2.8″ in height, contains 180-200 ml.

4. Steamed Cup (Mushi Wan) 蒸し碗

A cup designed for steaming, and comes with a lid. It’s used for dishes like chawanmushi.

Size: 8 cm/3.1″ in diameter, 8.5 cm/3.3″ in height, contains 200-230 ml.

5. Teacup (Yunomi Jawan) 湯呑み茶碗

A cup used for Japanese green tea.

Size: The size varies depending on the occasion.

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Measurement

Japanese tableware comes in various sizes and shapes, but they are guided by these measurements to create a well-balanced meal.

The measurement unit sun (寸) is used for Japanese tableware and it was introduced in the ancient history of Japan derived from measurements and proportions of the human body, collectively known as “Shindoshaku” (身度尺).

• 1分 ＝ 0.1寸 ＝ roughly 0.3 cm
• 1寸 ＝ 10分 ＝ roughly 3 cm
• 1尺 ＝ 10寸 ＝ roughly 30 cm

Additional Tips & Resources

1.Mix & Match – When comes to table set up, you don’t have to follow the strict rule of using only Japanese designed tableware. Some of the western-style plates and bowls can work to complement the table. Consider white or earth tones when choosing your colors. Handmade ceramic bowls and plates by your local artisans make an excellent choice too. You may be able to pick out designs that are very similar to Japanese tableware or in symmetry with Japanese elements.

2. Think harmony – In addition to colors, shapes, and textures, you will learn that the Japanese dining aesthetic places an emphasis on harmony. Which is what washoku 和食 all about. Everything has a place and purpose. When selecting your tableware, you don’t have to look for overly ornated choices but work on creating a balance to guide your artistic arrangement.

Where to Find Japanese Tableware outside of Japan?

Daiso and Muji are two major international Japanese stores that carry a wide selection of kitchen and dining items at affordable prices. If you are in the US, you can also look up World Market, cb2, Crate & Barrel or Etsy for Japanese-designed bowls and plates.

If you have the opportunity to visit Japan, check out my article on 10 Cookware & Tableware You Should Get from Japan.

With this, I hope you’re inspired to do a Japanese table set-up the next time you prepare a Japanese meal at home. And if you do, don’t forget to snap a picture and share it with #justonecookbook on Instagram. I’d love to see them!

Also, if you know where to find gorgeous Japanese tableware in your local area, share it with us in the comments below.