QUINOA with LENTILS & ROASTED VEGETABLES (a 2-3 banana difficulty level)

Sometimes ruts are good.  This recipe continues what I guess can be called a small series of recipes that involve Roasted Vegetables as well as the theme of 2 recipes in 1.  Today we will be adding Roasted Vegetables to Quinoa & Lentils.

Quinoa has been getting a lot of publicity over the past 1-2 years as a very nutritious food choice.  This new found fame is great except for the fact that the increase in demand has caused prices to increase 50-100% over about the same time period.  It seems like Quinoa is usually selling for $3.50 to $5 a pound.

Quinoa can be used in dishes the way rice is used.  It is quite versatile.  For this recipe I used French Green Lentils since they have the same cook time as the Quinoa I was using.

One more VERY important thing to know about Quinoa.  Be sure that you RINSE it before you use it.  Even when the package states it is pre-washed, I still rinse it in a strainer just to be sure.  Quinoa that is not rinsed before cooking has a less than appetizing flavor.

Enough with the housekeeping, today 'this monkey' will show you how to make a tasty & nutritious Quinoa with Lentils & Roasted Vegetables.  Let's get started!

WHAT YOU NEED:
1 1/2 c Quinoa - rinsed
1/2 c French Green Lentils
4 c Chicken/Vegetable Broth/Water (whatever makes you happy!)

2-3 Sweet Potatoes - rinsed, dried, & cut into 3/4 inch pieces
Cloves from 1 or 2 Head of Garlic - peeled
1/2 Purple Onion - cut into 3/4 inch pieces
1/4 c Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kosher Salt to Taste

Crushed Walnuts (optional)
Shredded Cheese - I used Stella Fontinella
Sliced Avocado (optional)
Kosher Salt to Taste
Freshly Ground Black Pepper

WHAT ELSE YOU NEED:
Mesh Strainer
2 Quart Pot or very Large Shallow Pan
Chef's Knife & Cutting Board
Roasting Pan or Cookie Sheet
Large Bowl

WHAT YOU DO:
1. Add the Broth to the Pot & bring to a boil. Also Pre Heat Oven to 400 deg & start prepping the Vegetables.  Make sure the Lentils & Quinoa are ready to go as well.

2. In batches, add your cut Vegetables & Whole Garlic Cloves, Drizzle with Olive Oil & Sprinkle with Kosher Salt, then shake or stir until well coated.

3.  Add the Quinoa & Lentils to the boiling Broth; Stir, Reduce heat to low & Simmer covered for 20-30 min.

4. Add the Garlic Cloves & cut Vegetables to the Roasting Pan. Roast in Oven for about 20-30 min until thoroughly Roasted. (Be sure to remove & stir one time during the Roasting)

Pre Roasting

Post Roasting

5.  Once the Quinoa & Lentils are to the point where there is just a VERY small amount of liquid in the bottom of the pan, remove the Pot from the heat.  Cover the Pot with a clean Dish Towel, then Place the lid on top of the Towel & Pot. Let sit for 10 minutes.  Then fluff the Quinoa & Lentils together.

6.  Take a generous scoop of the Quinoa & Lentils, then top with a generous scoop of the Roasted Vegetables.

7.  You can serve it as is, but I think it can be a bit bland at this point.  A sprinkling of Cheese, Nuts, Salt, Pepper etc really add to this dish.  And remember the Avocado!

And there you have it, Quinoa with Lentils & Roasted Vegetables!

Until next time, your favorite neighborweb monkey!