Pass the Cook Book Club: Guy Fieri’s Asian Fried Quinoa

Pass the Cook Book Club returns with round two! This month Kita chose Guy Fieri’s cook book titled Guy Fieri Food: Cookin’ It, Livin’ It, Lovin’ It. From the recipe selection, I decided to make his Asian Fried Quinoa. I’ve used quinoa in many different dishes, so I was excited to see how it would turn out as a substitute in fried rice. Obviously the texture was much different from rice, but the flavors were spot on and the mix of vegetables was wonderful (it was my first experience with baby bok choy as well). This dish was a great healthier alternative to traditional fried rice but it’s not a permanent substitution. Sometimes a girl just needs some rice!

Two years ago: Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes

ASIAN FRIED QUINOA

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups quinoa

3 cups water or vegetable stock

3 Tbsp grape or olive oil

2 cups diced onions, about 1 ½ med onion

1/4 cup chopped shallot

1/4 cup minced garlic

1/2 cup minced ginger

1 cup finely chopped green onions

1 cup diced carrots

2 cups shredded baby bok choy

1 cup finely diced celery

2 cups shredded Napa cabbage

1 cup diced sugar snap peas

3 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce

2 eggs, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. In a large, dry, heavy bottomed skillet, toast the quinoa until lightly golden, 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often. Add the water and reduce the heat to medium. Cover and cook until quinoa opens and the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
2. Wipe out the skillet and heat 1 ½ tbs of the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the onions and cook until well browned and soft, stirring occasionally. Stir in the shallots, and cook for 2 minutes, then the garlic, ginger, and green onion, cooking for 3 to 4 minutes more. Add the carrots, bok choy, celery, cabbage, and snap peas and stir until just wilted. Pour in the soy sauce and combine. Transfer mixture to a bowl and cover.
3. Heat remaining oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Add the quinoa. When heated through, pour the eggs over the quinoa until eggs have cooked. Return the vegetables to the pan. Adjust the seasoning with additional soy sauce if needed.

Source: Guy Fieri Food: Cookin’ It, Livin’ It, Lovin’ It, page 310.