Imagine a dish that combines the nutty richness of perfectly cooked quinoa with the deep, caramelized flavors of crimini mushrooms - a culinary experience that will make your taste buds dance and your health-conscious heart sing! This vegetarian masterpiece is not just a meal; it's a journey of texture, flavor, and nutritional brilliance that will elevate your home cooking from ordinary to extraordinary.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Vegetarian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup crimini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by rinsing the quinoa under cold water in a fine-mesh strainer. This helps to remove any bitterness from the quinoa. Drain well and set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid and is fluffy. Remove from heat and let it sit covered for an additional 5 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the caramelized crimini mushrooms. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced onions to the skillet and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until they begin to soften and turn translucent.
- Next, add the sliced crimini mushrooms to the skillet with the onions. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until the mushrooms are browned and caramelized. If necessary, lower the heat to prevent burning.
- Once the mushrooms are caramelized, remove the skillet from heat. Fluff the cooked quinoa with a fork and add it to the skillet with the mushrooms and onions. Gently stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the quinoa with caramelized crimini mushrooms warm, garnished with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Tips
- Always rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove its natural coating called saponin, which can cause a bitter taste.
- Use a 2:1 liquid to quinoa ratio for the perfect fluffy texture.
- Let quinoa rest after cooking - this allows it to absorb remaining moisture and become light and fluffy.
- For deeper flavor, consider toasting quinoa in the pan for 1-2 minutes before adding liquid.
- Use a wide skillet when caramelizing mushrooms to ensure they brown evenly and develop rich, complex flavors.
- Don't rush the caramelization process - low and slow is the key to achieving those beautiful golden-brown mushrooms.
- Fresh herbs like parsley aren't just a garnish - they add a bright, fresh contrast to the rich, earthy mushroom flavors.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 40g
Protein: 8g
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 0mg
