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Go60 YUM - recipes and the joys of dining
Share your recipes August 2014

Rainbow Kitchen

Herbed Zucchini and Quinoa Pilaf

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I love this dish because there are so many additions and variations you could incorporate to suit your tastes, ingredients on hand, or letting your creativity loose to fashion a rainbow of food delights. Here’s the basic version featured by Stonyfield Yogurt.

 

2/3 cup plain yogurt

1/4 cup basil

2 T olive oil

3/4 t salt

1/4 T black pepper

1 T unsalted butter

1 small onion (finely chopped)

1 cup quinoa (rinsed)

1-1/4 cup vegetable broth

2 small zucchini (trimmed and grated)

1 red pepper (seeded and cut into 1/4-inch pieces)

1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)

8 oz fresh mozzarella (cut into 1/2-inch pieces)

 

Combine yogurt, basil, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper in a blender. Puree on high speed until well blended and smooth; set aside.

In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion to pot and cook for 4 minutes. Add quinoa to pot and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in broth, cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and transfer quinoa to a serving bowl.

Stir prepared dressing, zucchini, red pepper, chickpeas, mozzarella and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt into serving bowl with quinoa until combined; serve immediately.

 

Endless other possibilities:    

Chicken broth, tomato juice, coconut milk, cucumber water.

Almost any summer veggie: Yellow summer squash, pole beans, peas, eggplant, carrot curls, julienned bok choy, savoy cabbage...

Other beans: kidney, cannellini, navy, pinto.

Other peppers: green, yellow, orange, hot ones to your liking.

Other herbs in addition to or in place of basil: dill, parsley, chives, thyme, oregano...

Let your imagination run wild; your taste buds enjoy and your health improve!    


Allison's Article:

Yogurt: Yummy for Your Tummy – And Beyond


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Allison St. Claire loves to dream about, study, grow, play with, prepare and ultimately enjoy eating great food.

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