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Southwest Quinoa Bake + Healthy Living Summit 2013

in Entrees, Other

southwest quinoa bake 4

 

 

 

 

 

I think that I might be a little behind by posting this Mexican-inspired recipe now, seeing as how last Sunday was Cinco de Mayo.  But it is almost Friday, so that is reason enough to celebrate again, right? 😉  This time, however, you can celebrate with a Mexican-inspired meal that is likely lower on the calories and higher on the veggie intake.

As I mentioned about a week ago, I am working on cooking through my stack of recipes from magazines.  While digging through this pile, I found a recipe for a Southwest Quinoa bake that includes chicken.  I decided to use the recipe as inspiration to develop my own Southwest Quinoa Bake, but without the meat.  I think it turned out pretty darn tasty!

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Southwest Quinoa Bake

Adapted from the Health 2013 issue of the Hy-Vee Seasons magazine.

Servings: 2

Ingredients

olive oil cooking spray
1/2 cup quinoa, dry
1 cup water (for cooking quinoa)
water, for cooking
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 yellow onion, diced
2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into half moons
1/2 cup bell peppers, diced (I used red and orange)
1 stalk celery, diced
1/2 medium zucchini, diced
1/2 of a 4 oz can of diced green chilies*
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp coriander
black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1/2 of a 10 oz can of diced tomatoes with chilies, drained (I used Rotel brand)*
1/2 tsp sriracha sauce
1 TB Bragg’s liquid aminos or light soy sauce
1/3 cup shredded part-skim Mexican cheese

*I would definitely double this recipe if you are cooking for more than one person in order to use the entire can of the chilies and tomatoes.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Spray small baking dish with olive oil spray.

2. Cook quinoa according to package directions.

3. In a large skillet, heat a thin layer of water over medium-high heat until very hot.  Once hot, lower the heat to medium and add garlic, onions, carrots, peppers, celery, and zucchini.  Cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until softened.  Add additional water, as necessary.

4. Stir in chilies and seasonings and cook an additional 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Lower the heat to medium-low.  Add vegetable broth, tomatoes, sriracha sauce, liquid aminos, and cooked quinoa.  Stir until well-combined.

6. Once all of the ingredients are warm, spoon the vegetable and quinoa mixture into the baking dish.  Top with cheese and bake, uncovered, for approximately 15 minutes, or until the cheese has melted.

southwest quinoa bake

 

 

 

 

 

If desired, you can top your Southwest Quinoa Bake with additional cheese, salsa, sour cream, and/or guacamole.  Now that I think about it, I totally regret the fact that I did not mix in some avocado before I ate it.  I guess there is always next time, right?

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I have tried many quinoa and vegetable dishes over the past year and a half since becoming a vegetarian, but this is one of the only ones that has had a spicy, Mexican flare to it.  I pretty much never tire of Mexican food, so I am thinking that this dish may have to become a regular in my cooking routine.

healthy living summit

 

 

 

 

 

And to continue with the theme of celebration…I am happy to announce that I have decided to attend this year’s Healthy Living Summit!  The location is in Minnesota, and I figure that this is probably the closest that it will ever be to me for the next several years.  Therefore, I am taking the plunge (financially, that is) and plan to register for the event when registration begins at the end of the month.

And so, I leave you with a proposition.  For the sake of saving money, I am looking for a roomie!  If you happen to be interested, please e-mail me at cleaneatingveggiegirl@gmail.com

Have a fabulous Friday tomorrow, everyone! 🙂

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{ 64 comments… add one }
  • Becky @ Olives n Wine May 9, 2013, 6:11 pm
    Oooh yum this looks delicious!! I'm obsessed with quinoa and Mexican food AND I miss Hy-Vee so so much ;) Yay for the Healthy Living Summit!! I can't wait for it! Do you know how much it is going to cost??!
  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance May 9, 2013, 7:12 pm
    The quinoa bakes sounds delicious. I'm definitely leaning towards going to HLS, but I'm waiting to hear the cost of tickets.....hopefully we find out soon!
  • quartercenturysouthernliving May 9, 2013, 7:36 pm
    Ah Hy-Vee, I loved reading that! Holla for a Midwest grocery chain :)
  • Brittany @ FreckledNettles May 9, 2013, 7:48 pm
    Only one more day until I'm done college and can move back home to my kitchen! I'm so making that quinoa bake... I'm such a sucker for veggie bakes. Hope you are enjoying your week!
  • Meredith May 9, 2013, 8:28 pm
    I pretty much never tire of mexican food either. This looks and sounds delicious but healthy too!
  • jumpeatrun May 9, 2013, 9:29 pm
    This recipe sounds so amazing- I cannot wait to try it! I would totally love to join you at the HLS, but I will be blowing all my money heading back to NYC for the marathon :(
  • Jan @ Sprouts n Squats May 9, 2013, 9:37 pm
    Yum this recipe looks really delicious thanks for sharing :)
  • Ashley @ AlmostVegGirlie May 9, 2013, 11:41 pm
    Mexican dishes are the best, especially with plenty of guacamole on the side ;)
  • jessielovestorun May 9, 2013, 11:52 pm
    Can't ever go wrong with a simple mexican-inspired pasta dish! So exciting about the HLS. I hope you have the most wonderful time!
  • Jeremy DeHague May 10, 2013, 12:08 am
    Nice way to put the seasons magazine to good use!! Enjoy the twin cities! Ill be heading up there soon for the first time cant wait!!
  • Sara @ Nourish and Flourish May 10, 2013, 1:45 am
    This looks amazing! Not only do I love quinoa bakes (have you ever tried quinoa "mac" n' cheese? <--so good!), but I adore Mexican flavors, too. This sounds like a match made in foodie heaven. ;) Yay for HLS! I went in 2011 and 2012, and enjoyed it. I'm sure you're going to have a blast! xoxo <3
  • Life's a Bowl May 10, 2013, 5:41 am
    I loveee adding avo to quinoa - it gets so creamy! Depending on my work schedule and the cost of the tip, I'd love to go to HLS... I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
  • Nicole @ FruitnFitness May 10, 2013, 6:21 am
    This quinoa bake sounds good, i love the quinoa is full of protein! I will have to look to see what tickets cost for the healthy living summit, I'm sure it would be really interesting.
  • Kelly @ Hidden Fruits and Veggies May 10, 2013, 7:02 am
    I don't have enough recipes that use quinoa. My boyfriend tends to not like it for whatever crazy reason, but I love pretty much anything Mexican (or even that just includes cumin) so he doesnt get a say in the matter -- eating this soon!
  • Em @ Love A Latte May 10, 2013, 8:27 am
    Wowww I'm always looking for quinoa recipes and this looks crazy delicious! Where do you come up with this?! Yum!
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl May 10, 2013, 12:44 pm
      Well I definitely had some help with the inspiration for this dish. I love taking meat-containing recipes and making them vegetarian or vegan!
  • eatgreatbegreat May 10, 2013, 9:01 am
    The quinoa bake sounds delish!!
  • dixya@food, pleasure, and health May 10, 2013, 9:09 am
    I was little late in posting Cinco de Mayo recipe but I think anything with Mexican flavor is desired all year round. I would be trying to recipe soon!!
  • blonde hair blue eyed runner May 10, 2013, 9:10 am
    Yummy recipe! I'm so glad you're going! i wish I could go, but you'll have a blast and I'll enjoy living vicariously through you haha
  • megbek May 10, 2013, 9:14 am
    Quinoa is the best grain/whatever ever. It's so versatile! And yes maam, today is reason enough to post it! :) I WISH I COULD GO! I always see blogger recaps and have total jealousy. I hope you find a roomie!
  • o2befitmom May 10, 2013, 11:30 am
    That recipe looks great, as I love anything mexican spiced! Wish I could go to HLS ..have fun for me :)
  • Eating 4 Balance May 10, 2013, 11:36 am
    HLS always sounds so fun! Write up some good recaps so I can feel like I'm there ;)
  • makingthymeforhealth May 10, 2013, 11:43 am
    I just made a southwest quinoa bake for dinner last night!! I was experimenting for a future recipe post but mine was much different than this one. Yours sounds great though! I really want to go to HLS but I haven't decided yet. I think tickets go on sale at the end of the month right? I have to see how much they cost before I decide.
    • cleaneatingveggiegirl May 10, 2013, 12:47 pm
      That is too funny! I cannot wait to see how your version turned out :). Yes, I believe they go on sale May 29th. I hope you are able to make it. It would be great to meet you!
  • ashley May 10, 2013, 12:42 pm
    I was hoping you'd post this today - it looks amazing!! Never too late for Mexican-inspired meals :) They are good all year round.
  • Brittany May 10, 2013, 1:04 pm
    Ahhh so exciting about the summit!! If it weren't so far I would totally go!! YUM to this bake!
  • sprint2thetable May 10, 2013, 1:59 pm
    I finally started going through magazines and ripping out what I wanted to try. Then I stopped. *sigh* Must get organized!!!
  • Luv What You Do May 10, 2013, 8:28 pm
    That looks SO good! I just bought some quinoa and will have to give this a try : ) i have always wanted to go to MN!
  • Kiran @ KiranTarun.com May 11, 2013, 12:48 am
    Looks so so good. And comforting. Love mexican flavors :)
  • Khushboo Thadani (@KhushbooThadani) May 11, 2013, 4:49 am
    HLS sounds like such a blast...if the journey to the US wasn't so far, I'd go in a heartbeat! Am sure you'll definitely find it worth your while :)
  • healthnutclaire May 13, 2013, 10:06 am
    I have to try this recipe! Looks SO good!
  • Danielle @ food-dee.com May 15, 2013, 7:06 am
    HUGE fan of quinoa, and this looks absolutely delicious! I might try it for a twist on breakfast next week!
  • The Sweet Spot May 15, 2013, 12:54 pm
    This looks so good!! I have been wanting to go to HLS but haven't yet. Maybe this year will be the year!
  • Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen May 15, 2013, 1:17 pm
    Mexican is good ANY time. Cinco de Mayo or not. :) I really want to go to HLS, especially as I've never been to the Twin Cities, but I will have just started in on my PhD program so it probably won't work out. However, I may be able to swing it as an opportunity for study, since my degree IS in Health Education and Promotion after all...

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