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Quinoa with Eggplant and Mint

17/11/2023

Quinoa with eggplant and mint is a healthy and tasty dish that combines the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine with a touch of freshness from the mint. It is a vegetarian recipe, rich in proteins and fibers.

Ingredients

  • 200 g of quinoa
  • 1 large eggplant
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 clove of garlic
  • A bunch of fresh mint
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon (untreated)
  • Optional: chili pepper, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts to add crunchiness

Preparation

  1. Start by rinsing the quinoa under running water to remove saponin, which can give a bitter taste. Rinse until the water runs clear.

  2. Cook the quinoa in a pot with boiling salted water following the classic ratio of 1 part quinoa to 2 parts water. Cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender but still al dente. Once ready, let it cool down in a large bowl.

  3. Meanwhile, dice the eggplant. In a pan, heat the extra virgin olive oil with the crushed garlic (which you will remove before adding the eggplant), and if you like, a piece of chili pepper. Add the diced eggplant and sauté until golden brown and tender, adjusting with salt and pepper.

  4. Wash and dry the mint leaves; then chop them finely.

  5. Once both the quinoa and eggplants are cooked and slightly cooled, combine them in a large bowl.

  6. Add the grated lemon zest and chopped mint to the quinoa and eggplant, stirring to blend all the ingredients together.

  7. At this point, taste and adjust with salt and pepper if necessary. If you wish to add a crunchy touch, toast some pumpkin seeds or pine nuts in a pan and sprinkle them over the dish before serving.

Serve your quinoa with eggplant and mint as a unique dish or as a sophisticated and fragrant side dish.

Curiosity

Quinoa is not a cereal but a seed and is naturally gluten-free. Used by the Incas as a staple food, it is now appreciated all over the world for its nutritional properties and versatility. Paired with vegetables and fresh herbs like mint, it becomes a complete and very aromatic dish.

Quinoa with Eggplant and Mint