This is my first attempt at using quinoa and only because Aldi starting selling it!! I’m kinda of the opinion that there are several other grains out there with just as much goodness as quinoa but at a fraction of the price (Take barley as an example) but I thought I’d have a go and see what all the fuss is about! It struck me as being somewhat similar to couscous so I prepared it in a similar way! 

Ingredients-

1 small onion

500g mushrooms (I used a mix of white and chestnut)

5-6 cloves of garlic

300g quinoa

750ml vegetable stock

2-3 tablespoons of parsley

Optional- handful of chives

Black pepper

Finely chop the garlic, herbs and onion. Peel or wash the mushrooms and slice.

In a large pan heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil or butter

Add the onion and cook on a medium low heat for 5mins

Add the mushrooms and garlic and turn the heat up to medium. Cook for around 5-7mins until the mushrooms are cooked through.

Meanwhile rinse the dry quinoa in cold water (this is supposed to help take away the bitterness in the quinoa)

Add the quinoa to the pan and stir through 

Add the stock to the pan and bring to the boil

Reduce to a simmer and cook for 10-15mins until all the liquid is absorbed. If it dries out too much just add a little more water towards the end.

Add the chopped herbs and plenty of black pepper. Stir through. You can also add a nob of butter at this point and stir that through if you’d like a more buttery taste.

Enjoy! We served ours with grilled salmon and steamed green beans!