Warm Quinoa Bowl Roasted Carrots (Print version)

Nutty quinoa with roasted carrots and peas creates a vibrant, nourishing bowl for any meal.

# Required ingredients:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Vegetables

03 - 4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
04 - 1 cup green peas, fresh or frozen
05 - 1 small red onion, sliced
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Dressing

07 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional
14 - 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds, optional

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Toss carrots and red onion with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway through, until tender and lightly caramelized.
03 - While vegetables roast, combine quinoa and water or broth in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until quinoa is fluffy and liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
04 - If using frozen peas, blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain. If fresh, steam until just tender.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper.
06 - Divide quinoa among bowls. Top with roasted carrots, red onion, and green peas. Drizzle with dressing.
07 - Garnish with parsley, feta, and pumpkin seeds if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in less than an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something wholesome, not complicated.
  • The roasted carrots get sweet and slightly caramelized, turning what could be boring into something you actually crave.
  • One bowl covers your grains, vegetables, and protein, so there's minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.
02 -
  • Rinsing your quinoa before cooking removes a bitter coating that can make the final dish taste flat, so don't skip this step even though it seems fussy.
  • Letting the cooked quinoa sit covered for five minutes after cooking makes it fluffier and more cohesive rather than getting mushy.
  • Taste your dressing before adding it to the warm bowls, because room temperature and warmth can muffle flavors in unexpected ways.
03 -
  • If your dressing breaks or looks separated, whisk in a teaspoon of water at a time until it comes back together and becomes silky again.
  • Roasting the vegetables cut to the same size ensures they all finish at the same time without some pieces burning while others stay undercooked.
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