Quinoa Pilaf in Lettuce Cups

Sharon123's Note:

I just love Aarti's take on food! Here's a recipe from Aarti's Party!

• Total Time: 35 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 cup quinoa, picked and rinsed well (the red kind is prettier, but either the red or the white is fine)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 tablespoon pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons chopped dried cherries
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 grapefruit, zested, plus 2 tablespoons juice
• 1 head boston lettuce, leaves separated

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa in a sieve well to remove outer coating and then toast over medium heat in an iron skillet until the toasty quinoa aroma begins(the toasting is optional).
2. Bring the 1 1/2 cups water and quinoa to a boil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until quinoa is cooked and curly white germ shows, about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, warm the olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and spices, and saute until the onion has softened and the spices are very fragrant.
4. Stir in the pine nuts and fruit and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Add the cooked quinoa (all the water should have been absorbed) to the skillet. Stir in the grapefruit zest and grapefruit juice. Taste, and season with salt, pepper, to taste. Allow to sit off the heat for 10 minutes so the flavors seep into the quinoa.
6. Serve in lettuce cups.

Reviews

[CaliforniaJan]

This recipe makes a beautiful side dish and I made it as listed. I think next time I'd add bell pepper and maybe sliced mushrooms to the onions and make it more vegetabe-full!