Quinoa Almond Pilaf

  4.6 – 39 reviews  

In place of beans, carrots, macaroni, and rice are cooked in this ham bone soup to make a substantial soup that will become a family tradition after the holidays.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Servings: 3
Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

  1. ½ cup quinoa, rinsed and drained
  2. 1 cup cold water
  3. ¼ teaspoon salt
  4. 3 tablespoons olive oil
  5. 1 celery rib, chopped
  6. 1 small onion, chopped
  7. 1 carrot, chopped
  8. 1 clove garlic, minced
  9. 8 almonds, coarsely chopped
  10. 1 small tomato, seeded and chopped
  11. 2 tablespoons raisins
  12. ⅛ teaspoon salt
  13. ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
  14. ⅛ teaspoon dried thyme
  15. ⅛ teaspoon dried oregano
  16. 1 pinch coarse sea salt

Instructions

  1. Combine quinoa, cold water, and salt in a saucepan; bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, place a cover on the saucepan, and cook until the liquid is fully absorbed, about 15 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir celery, onion, carrot, and garlic in the hot oil until the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir almonds, tomato, raisins, salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano into the vegetable mixture; cook and stir 1 minute more.
  3. Fluff the quinoa with a fork and stir into the mixture in the skillet; cook and stir until evenly mixed and hot, about 30 seconds.
  4. Divide between 3 plates; sprinkle the top of each portion with a scattering of a few coarse sea salt granules for a surprising crunch of salty goodness.

Reviews

Natalie Hernandez
Really delicious! After following the recipe a couple of times, I tweaked it a bit.
David Grant MD
I have made this recipe quite a few times. I love it! The almonds and raisins add a crunch and sweetness that is delicious! No changes needed. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Mr. Richard Bryant
I substituted currants for raisins…didn’t have raisins…. tasty.
Tara Lester
Really good! I browned the onions and some julienne carrots first, though, and then threw in other veggies to cook more. If you ask me, without browning the carrots ans onions, it’s not pilaf. But the raisins and almonds were just right; thank you! 🙂
Billy Alvarado
One of the best quinoa dishes I’ve tried. I did cook the quinoa in chicken broth instead of water (something I always do because it adds so much flavor) and I used dried cherries because that’s what I had in my pantry. Other than those two substitutions, I followed the recipe exactly. It’s a great combination of flavors.
Tyler Jones
This was the first recipe I made using quinoa. I have since tried others but this is the best. I make it all of the time pretty much as written though this time I used curry powder instead of thyme with the oregano and I thought it went well with the other ingredients.
Joshua Lucas
Will make it again and again. Brought it to my friend’s house for a Seder side dish and it was a tremendous hit! Guests asked for the recipe.
Christina Johnson
I am just beginning to learn to cook with quinoa, but this recipe was very easy and very good. I tend to be liberal with the oil when I cook onions and too much oil produced a bit of a mess with the final product.
Veronica Rogers
This was delicious! I cut back on the black pepper & only used a quick sprinkle of it, just to suit my own taste!
Aaron Farrell
I substituted pineapple juice for half the water and it lent a more “tropical” taste to the dish. I made it with salmon, which I usually cook in either orange or pineapple juice, and it made a nice pairing. This is the first time I have tried making quinoa. My husband (tentatively) tasted it so I was pleasantly surprised when he said it “was different” but he did finish it. He’s not a raisin fan so next time I may decrease the amount. I liked it enough to bring as a side dish to our next pot luck. Yay!!!
Ricky Bright
I loved this recipe. I used chicken broth for 3/4 cup of the liquid. The raisins were hardly noticeable, but left a sweet not so make sure to add them.
Lisa Wolf
3 will serve 6. This makes a lot. Also, for more flavor, substitute the water that cooks the quinoa will either all or a portion of a flavorful stock (chicken, beef or veg). Maybe use chicken stock if serving with chicken (etc.). I also had to double the garlic, oregano and thyme for more flavor. Finally, the overall dish a bit dry, so just prior to serving I spooned a little of our basting liquid from our roast chicken. Delicious and tied the entire dish together with the meal.
Denise Logan
Made it tonight for dinner. I didn’t have any tomato so I used red pepper and sauteed it with the other vegetables. Craisins were added and deleted the raisins. It added a nice color and taste. LOVE this recipe! Will definitely make it again and again
Brian Guzman
This recipe was so delicious! My husband, who has disliked every quinoa recipe I’ve ever tried, went back for seconds and was sad that there were no leftovers! Looking forward to making it again.
Javier Stone
We love this!
Joshua Smith Jr.
This is a wonderful recipe. I cooked my quinoa in the rice cooker, done so quickly, just like Ann said. While the quinoa cooked, I sliced and diced and cooked up the other ingredients. I added the diced tomatoes just before mixing all together. They maintained their firmness this way. I will definitely keep this recipe on hand.
Dr. Michele Williams
Very good a little time consuming to make so would be more of a weekend type of recipe. Nice and healthly dish. We had it with salmon fish cakes on this side and was an excellent combo.
Olivia Reilly
Even though this recipe just has a few spices, it was extremely flavorful. This recipe stores well and is delicious hot or cold.
Amber Villegas
I am in love. Thanks I had never tried Quinoa before, so this was my introduction. I followed the recipe exactly. Even my husband a conservative eater liked it. Good thing to because I would have divorced him and married the Quinoa. – Belinda Wood
Brittany Moreno
I am in love. Thanks I had never tried Quinoa before, so this was my introduction. I followed the recipe exactly. Even my husband a conservative eater liked it. Good thing to because I would have divorced him and married the Quinoa. – Belinda Wood
Anthony King
I make this all the time and use it to introduce quinoa to people who have never tried it before. Everyone likes it and I get lost of requests for the recipe.

 

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