Pineapple Quinoa

Flavorful pineapple quinoa, served right out of the pineapple... definitely a good dinner party dish. This is easy to make, delicious, and filling. A great side or main for a summer pot-luck or BBQ! Yes, I realize it's now fall. But indulge me for just 2 more recipes...



Pineapple Quinoa
Recipe adapted from Healthy Happy Life's Pineapple Fried Quinoa in a Boat!
Serves 12
Ingredients:

• 2 cups quinoa (I used rainbow- measure before cooking)
• 1 bunch of kale, rinsed and chopped
• 1-2 cups shittake mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
• 1/2 red onion, finely diced
• 2-3 Tbsp soy sauce or tamari, divided
• 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 2 cups fresh pineapple, chopped in bite-sized chunks, plus pineapple for serving
• 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
• 2-3 Tbsp finely diced jalapeno (canned or fresh)
• 3 Tbsp finely chopped mint
• 1 Tbsp Safflower or other veg oil for cooking
• 2 Tbsp tahini
• 3 Tbsp pineapple juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Hollow out your pineapple. Slice in half first and then use a knife to cut out each half; this is easier if you have an ever-so slightly overripe pineapple.
2. Rinse the quinoa and cook according to package instructions. You could also cook in vegetable stock, but I just used water, and the dish was plenty flavorful.
3. While the quinoa is cooking, heat the oil in a large pan. Add the onions, mushrooms, and kale, along with 1-2 Tbsp soy sauce and the maple syrup, and saute until kale is just wilted and mushrooms are lightly browned.
4. Whisk together the tahini, pinepple juice, and 1 Tbsp of soy sauce in a small bowl.
5. Once the quinoa has cooked, add all ingredients together, tossing to coat the dressing from step 4.
6. Serve and enjoy! This is good hot or cold, so feel free to prepare a few hours before a party.

Notes:
I think this is an "everybody friendly" recipe. I know, I know- not everyone has or likes or knows what nutritional yeast is (no, it is NOT the same as the yeast you use in breads. It can be found in specialty sections of most grocery stores- ask for help at Whole Foods, for example!). I myself took a while to come around on it. But it's really high in B-vitamins, and does really add flavor.  I recommend trying it out in moderation. You could probably omit it here (and possibly the tahini- which is a little bit similar to a peanut or almond butter, in case you haven't used it... but the flavor will be altered with these changes, and hey, isn't it fun to try new things anyway?)

This dish is easy to alter, but I like the combination of flavors here- slightly sweet, hearty with the kale and mushrooms, and pretty in presentation too!