Summer Veggie Quinoa Recipe

Enjoy nutty quinoa paired with flavorful grilled summer vegetables like zucchini, peppers and carrots. This delicious grain and veggie salad can be enjoyed alone or with a lean protein like grilled chicken breast or a hardboiled egg.

Summer Veggie Quinoa

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup (85 grams) white balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons molasses (or honey)
• 3 small (120 grams each) zucchini or yellow squash or mix of both, halved
• 1 medium (110 grams each) white onion, cut into thick chunks
• 1 medium (120 grams) red bell pepper, cut into thick chunks
• 2 medium (60 grams each) carrots, quartered
• 2 3/4 cups (660 grams) low-sodium vegetable broth (certified gluten-free if necessary)
• 1 1/2 cups (255 grams) uncooked quinoa (certified gluten-free if necessary)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Directions

Whisk together vinegar, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and molasses in a large bowl or zip top plastic bag. Add zucchini, onion, bell pepper and carrots; seal and toss to coat. Let marinate 15 to 30 minutes while quinoa cooks.

Bring 1 3/4 cups broth to a boil in a medium saucepan; stir in quinoa. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat; set aside.

Prepare a charcoal fire or preheat gas grill to medium-high heat. Drain vegetables, reserving marinade.

Grill vegetables in a grill basket or on greased grill grate for 5 to 7 minutes on each side or until tender. Cool slightly and chop vegetables into bite-size pieces.

Combine quinoa, grilled vegetables and reserved marinade in a large bowl. Serve room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Information

Serves: 4 |  Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups

Per serving: Calories: 361; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 559mg; Carbohydrate: 57g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 11g; Protein: 11g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 430mg; Iron: 20%; Vitamin A: 127%; Vitamin C: 93%; Calcium: 8%

Energizing Tips (optional)

• Serve with 1 hardboiled egg to increase calories, protein and fat. (Per serving: Calories: 431; Fat: 15g; Carbohydrate: 57g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 11g; Protein: 17g)
• Serve with 1 (3-ounce) grilled chicken breast to increase calories and lean protein. (Per serving: Calories: 471; Fat: 13g; Carbohydrate: 57g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 11g; Protein: 33g)