Sicilian Style Toasted Quinoa

Elevate your grain game with this vibrant Sicilian Style Toasted Quinoa—a Mediterranean-inspired dish bursting with bold flavors and wholesome ingredients. Toasted quinoa serves as the nutty, flavorful base, complemented by tangy sun-dried tomatoes, briny kalamata olives, and zesty capers. Fresh herbs like parsley and basil, combined with lemon juice and zest, infuse every bite with brightness, while a hint of red chili flakes adds a subtle kick. This quick and healthy recipe, ready in just 35 minutes, is perfect as a light main course or a side dish and pairs beautifully with a bed of peppery arugula. Gluten-free, protein-packed, and infused with classic Sicilian flavors, this dish is a must-try for lovers of Mediterranean cuisine.

Nutriscore Rating: 67/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 0.25 cup kalamata olives (pitted and sliced)
• 2 tablespoons capers (rinsed)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 3 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
• 3 tablespoons basil (chopped)
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 0.5 teaspoons red chili flakes
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 0.25 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 cups arugula (optional, for serving)

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa under cold running water using a fine-mesh sieve to remove any bitterness.

Step 2

Heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the quinoa and toast it dry for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden.

Step 3

Add the water to the saucepan with the toasted quinoa. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender.

Step 4

While the quinoa is cooking, soak the sun-dried tomatoes in warm water for 5 minutes, then drain and chop into small pieces.

Step 5

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.

Step 6

Add the sun-dried tomatoes, sliced olives, and capers to the skillet. Sauté for another 2 minutes to combine the flavors.

Step 7

Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the chopped parsley, basil, lemon juice, lemon zest, red chili flakes, salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasonings to taste.

Step 8

When the quinoa is done cooking, fluff it with a fork and mix it into the skillet with the Sicilian-inspired mixture. Stir until well combined.

Step 9

Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the quinoa and toss to coat evenly.

Step 10

Serve warm or at room temperature, optionally over a bed of arugula for added freshness.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(933.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1060.8

Total Fat 51.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 5.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 3275.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 120.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.3g	0%
Total Sugars 13.2g
Protein 31.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 279.1mg	0%
Iron 10.9mg	0%
Potassium 1528.9mg	0%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.2%

Protein: 11.8%

Carbs: 45.0%