Quinoa Pilaf with Olives, Raisins, and Cilantro
By Dan SouzaPublished on November 11, 2013
Time
55 minutes
Yield
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
Before You Begin
If you buy unwashed quinoa, rinse the grains in a fine-mesh strainer, drain them, and then spread them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a dish towel and let them dry for 15 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. We like the convenience of prewashed quinoa. If you buy unwashed quinoa (or if you are unsure if it's washed), quinoa should be rinsed before cooking to remove its bitter protective coating (called saponin) and dried on a towel. We developed this recipe using using white quinoa. Red quinoa will work, but because its seed coat is thicker, the grains have a crunchier texture. Black quinoa's seed coat is even thicker than that of red quinoa; we don't recommend it for this recipe.
Instructions
- Toast quinoa in medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until quinoa is very fragrant and makes continuous popping sound, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer quinoa to bowl and set aside.
- Return now-empty pan to medium-low heat and melt butter. Add onion, salt, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened and light golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high, stir in water and quinoa, and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until grains are just tender and liquid is absorbed, 18 to 20 minutes, stirring in raisins halfway through cooking. Remove pan from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff quinoa with fork; stir in olives, cilantro, and vinegar; and serve.
Time
55 minutesYield
Serves 4 to 6Ingredients
Ingredients
Ingredients
Why This Recipe Works
Most recipes for quinoa pilaf turn out woefully overcooked because they call for nearly twice as much liquid as they should. We cut the water back to ensure tender grains with a satisfying bite. We toast the quinoa in a dry skillet to develop its natural nutty flavor and finish our pilaf with a judicious amount of boldly flavored ingredients.
Before You Begin
If you buy unwashed quinoa, rinse the grains in a fine-mesh strainer, drain them, and then spread them on a rimmed baking sheet lined with a dish towel and let them dry for 15 minutes before proceeding with the recipe. We like the convenience of prewashed quinoa. If you buy unwashed quinoa (or if you are unsure if it's washed), quinoa should be rinsed before cooking to remove its bitter protective coating (called saponin) and dried on a towel. We developed this recipe using using white quinoa. Red quinoa will work, but because its seed coat is thicker, the grains have a crunchier texture. Black quinoa's seed coat is even thicker than that of red quinoa; we don't recommend it for this recipe.
Instructions
- Toast quinoa in medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until quinoa is very fragrant and makes continuous popping sound, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer quinoa to bowl and set aside.
- Return now-empty pan to medium-low heat and melt butter. Add onion, salt, cumin, oregano, and cinnamon; cook, stirring frequently, until onion is softened and light golden, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high, stir in water and quinoa, and bring to simmer. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until grains are just tender and liquid is absorbed, 18 to 20 minutes, stirring in raisins halfway through cooking. Remove pan from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff quinoa with fork; stir in olives, cilantro, and vinegar; and serve.
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