Quinoa With Vodka Tomato Sauce

From the Pham Fatale blog. Quinoa is a great alternative to pasta, potatoes or rice. One of the advantages is that quinoa is gluten-free. If you have someone in your house who is allergic to gluten, quinoa is the perfect option. It has a nutty flavor and is packed with protein and amino acids. The preparation is so easy that you will be making this dish over and over again.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  cups quinoa
• 1  quart water
• 2  teaspoons kosher salt (or regular salt)
• 3⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  yellow onion, diced
• 1  red bell pepper, roasted, skinned, seeded and sliced
• 1  yellow pepper, roasted, skinned, seeded and sliced
• 1  poblano pepper, roasted, skinned, seeded and finely chopped
• 1⁄2 cup  vodka tomato sauce
• 2  tablespoons pine nuts, lightly dry-toasted
• 3  tablespoons flat leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

1. In a medium-sized pan, combine the quinoa with water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 20 minutes. Salt the water half-way through the cooking process (it will bring out the natural flavor of the quinoa) and keep stirring every now and then so that the quinoa does not stick to the bottom and sides of the pan. Stir to prevent the grains from sticking. You want to make sure the heat is on low. Cover and cook for another 15 minutes.
2. This might take longer than the cooking instructions on the package but this way, the quinoa will be nice and tender. Fluff the quinoa with a fork. Let it cool completely. Set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottom skillet. Sauté the onions in the oil over low heat for about 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent the onion from burning, until the color is evenly golden brown and the onions are tender. Season with salt. Leaving as much oil as possible in the skillet, transfer to a platter. Set aside.
4. In the same pan, add poblano, red and yellow bell peppers. Sauté them for about 2 minutes, then add the quinoa and caramelized onions. Lower the heat to low. Add the vodka cream tomato sauce. Stir well. Finish with pine nuts. Garnish with flat-leaf parsley.
5. Serve warm or at room temperature.