Spiced Dried Fruit Quinoa

Elevate your weeknight dinners with Spiced Dried Fruit Quinoa, a vibrant and wholesome dish that blends aromatic spices, nutty quinoa, and a delightful mix of sweet dried fruits. Packed with warm cinnamon, cumin, and ginger, this recipe offers a fragrant base that perfectly complements the tangy cranberries and succulent apricots. Toasted slivered almonds add a satisfying crunch, while fresh parsley provides a burst of color and freshness. Ready in just 30 minutes, this dish is easy to prepare and ideal as a main course or side, making it a versatile option for healthy meal planning. Perfect for vegetarian or gluten-free diets, this recipe showcases the rich flavors of spiced quinoa paired with nutrient-dense ingredients for a meal that's as nourishing as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 cup (diced) onion
• 2 cloves (minced) garlic
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
• 0.25 teaspoon ground ginger
• 0.25 cup (chopped) dried apricots
• 0.25 cup dried cranberries
• 0.25 cup (toasted) slivered almonds
• 0.5 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons (chopped) fresh parsley
• 0.5 teaspoon (or to taste) salt
• 0.25 teaspoon (or to taste) black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the quinoa thoroughly under cold water using a fine mesh strainer to remove its natural bitterness.

Step 2

In a medium pot, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed.

Step 3

While the quinoa cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Add the diced onion to the skillet and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until soft and translucent.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic, ground cinnamon, ground cumin, and ground ginger. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until the spices are fragrant.

Step 6

Add the chopped dried apricots, dried cranberries, and vegetable broth to the skillet. Stir to combine and let simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the dried fruits to rehydrate slightly and soak up the flavors.

Step 7

Once the quinoa is cooked, fluff it with a fork and transfer it to the skillet with the spiced fruit mixture.

Step 8

Stir everything together until well combined. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Step 9

Add the toasted slivered almonds and mix gently. Reserve a few almonds for garnish if desired.

Step 10

Transfer the spiced dried fruit quinoa to a serving dish and garnish with the chopped fresh parsley and reserved almonds.

Step 11

Serve warm and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1009.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1159.7

Total Fat 44.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 3.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2684.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 158.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 11.8g	0%
Total Sugars 40.2g
Protein 36.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 219.2mg	0%
Iron 9.0mg	0%
Potassium 1116.6mg	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: 33.8%

Protein: 12.2%

Carbs: 54.0%