Amazing Quinoa Risotto Recipe (Minimal Stirring Required!!)

This is one of those recipes where you will overeat.

Many people (myself included) get turned off of risotto recipes because you see on every other episode of Chopped, chefs completely ruining their meal because they were not constantly stirring that damn risotto.  But have no fear with this recipe!  It’s easy and requires almost no stirring.  It uses quinoa instead of risotto rice, so it’s healthier and why I believe stirring is kept to a minimum.  Also, it’s vegetarian!

What you’ll need for 4 people (or let’s be honest, just you):

• ·      ~1.5 cups or veggie broth (warmed)
• ·      olive oil
• ·      2 diced shallots
• ·      1 cup of white quinoa
• ·      splash of dry, white wine
• ·      fresh thyme
• ·      fresh rosemary
• ·      ~.5 cup of grated parmesan
• ·      a good amount of veggies you like/are in season (I usually do: 1 package of grape tomatoes, a handful of asparagus cut in thirds, and a zucchini)

First, start by warming up some olive oil in a small saucepan (stove on medium).  When the oil has thinned, add your chopped shallots and sauté until they’re translucent.  Next, add the quinoa into the saucepan and toast it with the shallots and olive oil for a few minutes.  Then add a splash of the wine to the toasted quinoa, and stir for another minute. 

Then, turn your burner down to low/simmer.  Start by adding a third of the warmed veggie broth to the sauce pan.  Cover and let the quinoa soak up the broth completely.  Then do it again with another third of veggie broth, then again until your quinoa is fully cooked. 

In a separate sauté pan, warm up some olive oil until it’s thinned. Then add all your veggies and cook on medium high.  Then add some salt and pepper and add as much or as little of the thyme and rosemary as you want (I say go for more).

When the veggies are thoroughly cooked, pour the cooked quinoa/shallot mixture into the sauté pan with the veggies.  To make it risotto, add that cheese.  Then simply stir until it’s thoroughly all mixed together and nice and cheesy (it won’t take long). 

Then, enjoy!