Crockpot Quinoa Chili

We've been on a bit of a crockpot kick recently with some favorites like Beyond Meat Chili or Kung Pao Chickpeas in the regular meal planning rotation. That said, don't want to overdo them and have them get old, so always on the lookout for new options. This one looked worth a try:

Recipe

• 2 1/2 c vegetable broth
• 1/2 c quinoa
• 1 can (15 oz) beans - black, pinto, your call - drained & rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes - NOT drained
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1/2 c corn kernels
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 small chili pepper, minced
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

I want to say, just add it all to your crockpot - but the original recipe is a bit more strict on the order. So, if you want to follow that: 

• broth, quinoa, beans & tomatoes
• peppers, carrot, corn, onion, garlic
• seasonings

OK after stirring all those in (in order or not), cook 2.5-3 hours high or 5-6 low - longer makes it less soupy.

Notes

This one came out unexpectedly kick-ass. Was very glad I doubled it up and will be eating scoops of this for a little while... Seriously, it smells so good (with the taste to back it up) that I haven't paused long enough to take a picture the first time or even with a couple rounds of leftovers.

Beet Burgers

This recipe comes courtesy of Purple Carrot, a while back but recreated it now that it's barbecue season!

Recipe
1/4 c quinoa
1/2 c green peas
2 oz shredded beets (maybe like half a beet?)
1/2 c bread crumbs
buns
aioli (3 parts vegenaise, 1 part sriracha or other sauce)
oil, salt & pepper

Cook the quinoa as directed (1/2 c water, ~10 minutes).  Add to a blender with the peas, beets, and bread crumbs and combine well.  Divide the mixture into halves and lump/press them into burgers.  Cook in a skillet with some oil over medium high, ~5 mins per side.  Serve on the buns with aioli and other toppings!

Notes
The patties are a little messy to work with, but actually hold together pretty well.  Not sure if they'd work on a grill though, might have to do some trial and error there...  And the recipe is easy to double or triple for more burgers for more friends, freezing for later, etc.!

Quinoa & Spinach Patties

In my phase of looking for good vegetarian (not yet vegan...) recipes - ones that are filling, delicious (obv.), and as a bonus good for leftovers - found this one!

Recipe

1 c quinoa, cooked
4 eggs, whisked
1/3 c parmesan cheese, grated
3 scallions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 c spinach, chopped & steamed (frozen OK)
1 c breadcrumbs

Basically, once you've done the above to each ingredient, mix them all in a bowl.  Let sit to absorb some moisture, and make patties.  Heat some oil in a skillet and cook in batches, 8-10 minutes per side until golden and a little crisp.

Chipotle Quinoa Pilaf

The trouble with vegetarian recipes is that everything tastes like a side dish to me.  This one may actually be best used as a side...  From America's Test Kitchen:

Recipe

1 1/2 c quinoa

2 tbsp butter

1 onion, chopped fine

1 tsp chipotle chile powder (I assume this is different from normal chile powder but went with the one I've got handy)

1/4 tsp cumin

13/4 c water

2 oz queso fresco

1/2 c roasted unsalted peanuts, chopped coarse

2 scallions, sliced

4 tsp lime juice

Toast the quinoa in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, about 5 minutes (until popping and smells nice).  Set aside.

Melt your butter in the saucepan (medium-low now), and add the onion, chile powder, cumin, and a sprinkle of salt, until onion is soft and golden.

Heat back to medium high, add the water and quinoa, cover, and simmer about 20 minutes.

Garnish with cheese, peanuts, scallions, and lime juice.

Quinoa & Broccoli Casserole

I survived another Meatless Monday thanks to this cheesy concoction...

Recipe

3/4 c quinoa
2 green onions
1 c vegetable stock
1 tbsp pesto
1/2 tsp cornstarch
1 c spinach
8 oz mozzarella cheese, cubed
1/4 c Parmesan cheese, grated
8 oz broccoli florets
salt & pepper

Preheat oven to 400.  Whisk together your stock, pesto, cornstarch, and some salt, and bring to a boil.  Combine the quinoa, green onion, liquids, spinach, and most of the cheese in a baking dish and pop in the oven for about 30 minutes.  Toward the end, steam (or microwave) your broccoli, then mix it into the casserole and sprinkle the last of the cheese on top.  Cook another 5 minutes, and pop under the broiler for a couple if you want to brown it up.

Notes

As with most recipes, I went in expecting to halve everything, but as I was measuring out the quinoa that looked like an awful lot so I about quartered it instead.  You don't have to balance things too closely - I added lots of spinach and definitely went heavy on the cheese.  The cheese did kind of take things over - deliciously melty, especially in comparison to the crisper grains - but you can dial it down to make it healthier or whatever.  Very tasty but not quite as filling as I hoped... so pretty good for your typical vegetarian dish...