You may recall my love for quinoa and all its goodness. If somehow the lime and mint quinoa didn’t convince you, here’s another great recipe to try!
The hubs and I both agreed that this flavor combination was both unique and wonderful. The toasted walnuts really give it a nice, earthy taste. The exact flavor may be a bit difficult to put into words, but it was most definitely not difficult to devour!
Like most quinoa dishes, this is also equally nommy warm, chilled, or at room temperature. This made it extra wonderful the next day when I didn’t have to prepare a packed lunch.
Ah, the beauty of leftovers.
Too bad I rarely have any. 😉
Squash and Mushroom Quinoa with Toasted Walnuts
(Serves 4 to 6)
Ingredients:
- 3 to 4 cups cooked quinoa (1 cup uncooked)
- 3 T extra virgin olive oil
- 5 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and diced
- 1 medium red onion, chopped
- 3 yellow summer squash, quartered and chopped
- 3 to 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
- Pinch of crushed red pepper
- Sea salt, according to taste
- Dried Italian seasoning, according to taste (I used several teaspoons, but I’m a spice fan!)
- 2 T balsamic vinegar (or more — you really can’t get too much!)
- 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted
Heat two tablespoons of olive oil in a wok, or large skillet, over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and onions and sauté until the garlic is lightly browned.
Add the zucchini and sauté until the zucchini is tender. Add the spinach and mushrooms. Sprinkle with the final tablespoon of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, red pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine well. Sauté a few minutes until the spinach is wilted and the mushrooms are tender. Remove the pan from the heat.
Stir in the toasted walnuts. (Take the extra few minutes to toast them; it’s worth it! I simply toast mine at 350 degrees F in my toaster oven for three to four minutes. It really does make a difference — prepare to revel in the flavor explosion you get with each crunchy bite!)
Add the cooked quinoa to the mixture and stir until it is well blended.
Enjoy!
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