Herbed quinoa with caramelized onions

Discover the delightful flavors of Herbed Quinoa with Caramelized Onions - a simple, healthy recipe featuring fluffy quinoa, sweet caramelized onions, and fresh thyme, perfect for a nutritious lunch or dinner. Ready in just under an hour!

  • 15 Mar 2024
  • Cook time 35 min
  • Prep time 35 min
  • 6 Servings
  • 4 Ingredients

Herbed quinoa with caramelized onions

Herbed quinoa with caramelized onions is a delightful and nutritious dish that combines the nutty flavor of quinoa with the sweet, rich taste of caramelized onions and the aromatic notes of fresh thyme. This recipe is perfect as a side dish or a light main course and is sure to impress family and friends with its simplicity and depth of flavor.

Ingredients:

1.50 cups quinoa
260g
2.50 tbsp olive oil
33g
4 onions
60g
1 tsp fresh thyme
0.40g

Instructions:

1. Rinse the Quinoa:
- Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer and rinse thoroughly under cold water for a minute. This helps remove the natural coating, saponin, which can make quinoa taste bitter.
2. Cook the Quinoa:
- In a medium pot, combine the rinsed quinoa with 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water.
- Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 more minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
3. Caramelize the Onions:
- While the quinoa is cooking, peel and thinly slice the onions.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add the sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 20-30 minutes, or until the onions are a deep golden brown and caramelized. This process requires patience, so avoid turning the heat up as it may burn the onions.
- Once caramelized, remove the skillet from the heat and set aside.
4. Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, caramelized onions, and the remaining ½ tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the fresh thyme and gently toss everything together until well mixed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
5. Serve:
- Transfer the herbed quinoa with caramelized onions to a serving dish and garnish with additional thyme leaves if desired. Enjoy it as a side dish or a light main course.

Tips:

- Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water before cooking to remove its natural coating, called saponin, which can give it a bitter taste.

- Use a 2:1 ratio of water to quinoa when cooking it. For this recipe, use 3 cups (700ml) of water for 1.5 cups (260g) of quinoa.

- Cook the quinoa covered, on low heat, until all the water has been absorbed. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes.

- Slice the onions thinly and cook them slowly over medium-low heat to properly caramelize them. This process can take up to 30 minutes, so be patient to achieve the best results.

- Stir occasionally while caramelizing the onions to ensure they cook evenly and don’t burn.

- Mix the caramelized onions and fresh thyme into the quinoa after it has finished cooking for a well-blended dish.

- Let the quinoa rest for a few minutes after cooking to allow flavors to meld.

- Garnish with additional fresh thyme or a drizzle of olive oil for added presentation and flavor.

Herbed quinoa with caramelized onions is an easy-to-make, flavorful dish that's perfect for any meal. By following a few simple cooking tips, you can ensure your quinoa is perfectly cooked and your onions are beautifully caramelized, creating a harmonious blend of tastes that will delight your palate. Enjoy this versatile recipe as a nutrient-packed side dish or a satisfying main course.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size60 grams
Energy
Calories 55kcal2%
Protein
Protein 1.96g1%
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Fiber 1.39g4%
Sugar 0.95g1%
Fat
Fat 6g8%
Saturated 0.89g3%
Cholesterol 0.00mg-
Vitamins
Vitamin A 0.00ug0%
Choline 10mg2%
Vitamin B1 0.05mg4%
Vitamin B2 0.05mg4%
Vitamin B3 0.19mg1%
Vitamin B6 0.06mg4%
Vitamin B9 20ug5%
Vitamin B12 0.00ug0%
Vitamin C 0.82mg1%
Vitamin E 0.27mg2%
Vitamin K 0.04ug0%
Minerals
Calcium, Ca 9mg1%
Copper, Cu 0.09mg0%
Iron, Fe 0.66mg6%
Magnesium, Mg 27mg7%
Phosphorus, P 70mg5%
Potassium, K 90mg3%
Selenium, Se 1.19ug2%
Sodium, Na 3.08mg0%
Zinc, Zn 0.48mg4%
Water
Water 40g-
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2500 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

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