Quinoa Casserole

Recipe by: Stephanie O'Dea | from Make it Fast, Cook it Slow

Cookstr

Course: Side Dish

Total Time: Half Day

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Inexpensive

Photo by: Joseph DeLeo

Yield: Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

1½ cups uncooked quinoa
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cups chicken broth
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ cup sliced or chopped almonds
1/3 cup dried unsweetened cranberries

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Handful of baby spinach

Directions

Use a 4-quart slow cooker. Rinse the quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water until the water runs clear. Dump the quinoa into the crock. Add the olive oil and mix around. Pour in the chicken broth, and add the salt and cinnamon. Stir in the almonds and cranberries. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours, or on high for 2 to 4 hours. The quinoa is done when you can fluff it with a fork and it is tender. The liquid should be pretty well absorbed, similar to when rice is done. Fluff the quinoa with a fork, and add the tomatoes and feta cheese. Stir gingerly to mix. Add a large handful of baby spinach to the top of the crock, and close lid. Cook on high for about 20 minutes, or until the spinach has wilted. Stir again to distribute the spinach. The tomatoes, spinach, and feta provided a great “fresh” aspect not usually present in casseroles.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Calories 301kcal (15%)

Calcium 103mg (10%)

Vitamin C 4mg (7%)

Vitamin A 39mcg RAE (1%)

Potassium 477mg

Magnesium 106mg

Protein 12g

Sugar 8g

Cholesterol 15mg (5%)

Saturated Fat 3g (15%)