Fast, Frugal and Healthy: Paella-Inspired Quinoa

Have you checked out the Mommysavers Kitchen Chatter Forum?  We’ve recently started to post some fun cooking challenges for our members.   Our most recent challenge, Great Grains, challenges users to try a new recipe with a whole grain they don’t typically cook with.    While I’ve used quinoa before, it had been awhile.  This is the recipe I created:

Paella Inspired Quinoa

• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 C. quinoa, uncooked
• 1 1/2 C. chicken broth
• 1/2 tsp. saffron, crushed
• 2 tsp. paprika
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chipotle sweet pepper
• 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 1 C. frozen peas

First, I rinsed and prepared the quinoa according to the package directions.  Instead of cooking it in water, I cooked it in the chicken broth.  Meanwhile, I sautéed the garlic and onion in the olive oil in a skillet.  Next, I added the tomatoes.  Finally, I added the spices to the quinoa and incorporated that with the onion/tomato mixture.  Lastly, I added the peas and heated through.  From start to finish, this dish doesn’t take much longer than 20 minutes to prepare.  Plus, it’s good for you! NOTE:  Smoked sausage or shrimp would add a lot of flavor to this recipe.  I didn’t include it to make this even more fast and frugal. Like our recipes?  Follow us on Pinterest!