Is it just me or is this a long week? After another busy day at work, I’m ready for the weekend and it’s only Wednesday. Part of my stress is gearing up for the half-marathon this weekend trying to balance training, exercising and tapering down/resting for it. And knowing that there won’t be much relaxing, or sleep, this weekend. At the same time I’m excited for it and had a great 3 mile run after work today increasing my pace without trying. I’m also carbing up a little this week prepping for it and decided quinoa and lentils would be perfect for dinner.
I love cooking these two together because the cook times and water ratios are similar. Tonight I simmered:
- 1/4 cup black quinoa
- 1/4 cup green lentils
- 1 tbsp. curry powder
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 1 cup water
For 25 minutes over medium heat for a fast curry lentil quinoa dish.
While cooking, I threw together a salad creating more hummus dressing since I had a new hummus flavor to try and the dressing is so darn easy. I just plopped a couple of tablespoons of TJ’s spicy hummus, about 1/2 cup of water and a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast into a bowl and mixed for another fast dressing.
And my quick, post-run dinner is served with a couple of dark chocolate squares for dessert. Gotta get in those antioxidants, right? :-)
The lentil/quinoa combo was great, perfect amount of curry spice that wasn’t overkill with the spicy hummus dressing.
And I had enough leftover for lunch tomorrow, I mixed the lentils and quinoa with the salad to eat cold.
What’s your favorite way to eat quinoa?
We used some black quinoa the other week and it was a bit crunchy. Was yours? my husband said later he found out we were supposed to soak it!
Wow, I didn’t know on the soaking either! It seemed a little firmer, but not bad. I’ll try soaking it the next time I use it.
I love making quinoa in my pressure cooker. It’s quick and it comes out perfectly fluffy. I scoop some on salads and in soups.
Mmm, I think a pressure cooker might be my next kitchen add.
Fave way to eat quinoa would be actually buying it. It’s been ages. I have been into lentils but need to get back on quinoa.
I would like to make a sweet-ish quinoa pudding or “cake”. I have some ideas :)
Love the antioxidants you got in, too :)
I still need to try red quinoa, Whole Foods was out last time I looked. So far regular quinoa is my favorite cooked, but black quinoa seems to have more flavor sprouted.
What’s your favorite dark chocolate bar?
Lately I like the Pound Plus dark chocolate bars from Trader Joe’s, I just break them into squares and store in the freezer to pull a piece out at a time for snacking.
I love spicy hummus! I get that, but its another brand! Oh you are going to ROCK at your half marathon this weekend, if I dont get a chance, Im going to say it now, GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!! have fun too ; )
So funny about your Intern playing crap music, lol!!!!! U got to tell him whats up ; ) share some good tunes with him!
Have a great day! xoxo <3
Thanks on the half, hope it doesn’t rain!
College interns can be fun, I really want to hear fuzzy music blasted from his tiny cell phone speaker?!?! :-P
I usually keep my quinoa simple, and just put some bragg’s liquid aminos on it or mix in some avocado.
Your recipe looks awesome!
I used to make a yummy chocolate quinoa powerbar but I haven’t made that recipe in awhile because it had a lot of agave in it and I’m cutting back on sugar. I love how versatile quinoa is, not to mention nutritious. Good luck with your race!
Yum, a quinoa chocolate bar sounds wonderful! Thanks on the race!
Is there any difference at all nutritionally or in taste between black, red, and normal quinoa? I’ve only had the regular stuff!
So far I’ve tried regular and black quinoa and there’s not a huge flavor difference. Black quinoa is a little firmer and tastes better to me sprouted than regular. But regular has a better texture when cooked.