Quinoa with Squash, Garbanzo Beans, and Cumin
Ingredients
1 large can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (Large cans are 29 ounces. Feel free to use a 15 ounce can if you’re not a lover of chickpeas like I am)
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, minced
7 teaspoons cumin seeds
2 teaspoons turmeric
2 teaspoons paprika
2 cups water
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well and drained
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1⁄2 pounds yellow squash, sliced
4 green onions, chopped
1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Combine garbanzo beans and lemon juice in large bowl. Add 3 tablespoons oil and garlic. Stir to combine. Let marinate at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours.
2. Mix cumin, turmeric and paprika in a small bowl.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons of spice blend and quinoa; stir until fragrant, about 1 or 2 minutes. Add 2 cups water and salt; bring to simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until all water is absorbed, about 16 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add squash and remaining spice blend, working in batches if necessary and sautéing until tender and slightly browned.
5. Add squash, green onions, and parsley, then garbanzo bean mixture to quinoa. Toss to blend. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm or cold.
Comments
This is inspired by a recipe I found on Epicurious.com. Due to comments on the recipe I increased all of the spices in the recipe and sautéed the quinoa before adding water. I also used yellow squash instead of zucchini because that’s what I happened to have to work with. This is one of the beautiful things about cooking, it’s so easy to modify recipes based on what you happen to have in your kitchen and what’s in season or available.
I’ve been wanting to try quinoa for a while and finally got around to picking some up at my local health food store. Then it was just a matter of remembering that I had it and finding a recipe while in the midst of meal planning. Art declared that he could eat the whole bowl of this by himself and we all greatly enjoyed the dish.
Shown here with Moroccan Chicken.
Internet - Epicurious