Orange Flavored Quinoa
Elevate your mealtime with this vibrant and nutritious Orange Flavored Quinoa recipe, a perfect blend of zesty citrus and wholesome grains. This dish features fluffy quinoa infused with the tangy sweetness of freshly squeezed orange juice and fragrant orange zest, balanced with a touch of honey or maple syrup for a vegan alternative. Toasted sliced almonds add delightful crunch, while fresh parsley gives it a refreshing burst of flavor. The light, citrusy dressing, made with olive oil, salt, and pepper, ties everything together for a dish that’s equally delicious served warm, chilled, or at room temperature. Ready in just 30 minutes, this gluten-free, vegetarian recipe makes a versatile side dish or a satisfying light meal. Perfect for dinner parties, meal prep, or a quick weeknight dinner, this Orange Flavored Quinoa is a must-try!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 0.5 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds (toasted)
Instructions
Rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitterness.
In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa has absorbed all the water and the grains are tender.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the quinoa sit, covered, for 5 minutes. Then fluff it with a fork.
While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the orange dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice, orange zest, olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper.
Transfer the cooked quinoa to a large mixing bowl and drizzle the orange dressing over it. Stir gently to combine, ensuring the quinoa is evenly coated with the dressing.
Fold in the chopped parsley and toasted sliced almonds for added freshness and crunch.
Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.
Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled as desired. Enjoy your Orange Flavored Quinoa as a side dish or a light meal!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
137 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 6.3 g | 8% | |
| Saturated Fat | 0.6 g | 3% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium | 131 mg | 6% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18.3 g | 7% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.9 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 7.4 g | ||
| Protein | 3.2 g | 6% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 37 mg | 3% | |
| Iron | 1.1 mg | 6% | |
| Potassium | 182 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
