Orange Spiced Quinoa
Moroccan-inspired Orange Spiced Quinoa is full of flavor from cinnamon, raisins, walnuts, carrots, and fresh herbs. It's easy to make this vegan side dish on your stovetop or in an Instant Pot pressure cooker.
Servings: 6
Calories: 232kcal
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup carrots peeled and grated (use box grater or food processor)
- pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed and drained (use fine mesh strainer)
- 2 cups water (1¼ cups water if using Instant Pot Method)
- ½ cup raisins
- ½ cup walnuts roughly chopped
- zest of one orange
- 2 Tablespoons orange juice
- 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 Tablespoon fresh mint chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Stove Top Method:
- Heat the oil over medium heat.1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Add the carrots and saute until soft.½ cup carrots
- Stir in the cinnamon and rinsed quinoa and saute for 1 minute.pinch ground cinnamon, 1 cup quinoa
- Add the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover. Simmer until the water is absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.2 cups water
- Fold in the raisins, walnuts, orange zest, orange juice, cilantro, and mint. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed and serve.½ cup raisins, ½ cup walnuts, zest of one orange, 2 Tablespoons orange juice, 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, 1 Tablespoon fresh mint, salt and pepper
Instant Pot Method:
- Using the saute function, heat the oil.1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- Add the carrots and saute until soft.½ cup carrots
- Stir in the cinnamon and rinsed quinoa and saute for 1 minute.pinch ground cinnamon, 1 cup quinoa
- Add 1¼ cups water and stir to combine. Close and lock the lid. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally.
- After the pressure has released, open the lid and fold in the raisins, walnuts, orange zest, orange juice, cilantro, and mint. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed and serve.½ cup raisins, ½ cup walnuts, zest of one orange, 2 Tablespoons orange juice, 3 Tablespoons fresh cilantro, 1 Tablespoon fresh mint, salt and pepper
Notes
Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat or enjoy cold.
Nutrition
Calories: 232kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 353mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 1848IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 2mg
