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A plate of coconut quinoa, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.

Coconut Quinoa with Vegetables

A coconut-infused, gingery quinoa loaded with carrots, broccoli, and roasted cauliflower.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 248

Ingredients
  

  • 1 head cauliflower
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 ½ cups quinoa
  • 1 cup coconut milk
  • 1 cup chopped broccoli florets
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced
  • 2 carrots, peeled and diced
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional add-ins: Flaked coconut, sliced almonds

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Have a 9x13 baking pan or baking sheet ready. Wash and then break up the cauliflower into smallish pieces. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place in the oven and roast for about 45 minutes-1 hour.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saucepan on medium-low and add the quinoa. Toast the quinoa until fragrant, stirring often, for a few minutes. Then add 2 cups water, 1 cup coconut milk, and ½ teaspoon salt to the quinoa. Bring it to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until quinoa has absorbed the liquid, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat.
  3. While quinoa is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the garlic, ginger and carrot and cook until starting to soften, about 5 minutes. Then add broccoli and cook, stirring frequently, about 2 minutes. When the cauliflower is done, add the cauliflower to the skillet and mix to incorporate.
  4. Add the quinoa to the skillet and mix it in with the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

  • Toast the quinoa: A few minutes of toasting the quinoa over low heat in oil will result in nutty, extra-flavorful quinoa.
  • For the fluffiest quinoa: Let the quinoa cool in the pan at least 20 minutes and preferably longer if you can. Then use a fork to gently separate and fluff it up.
  • Make it ahead: You can make the components of this dish ahead of time. Make the quinoa up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Roast the cauliflower and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
  • Spice it up: If you would like a spicier quinoa, add a little cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the vegetables as they cook.