Quinoa and cranberries combined: 5 colorful dishes to try
What's the story
The unlikely combo of quinoa and cranberries can transform a boring meal into a flavor-packed, textural wonderland. The slightly nutty quinoa pairs beautifully with the tart-sweet cranberries, resulting in meals that are not only mouthwateringly good but also packed with nutrition. Discover five innovative ways to marry these two ingredients in your kitchen for meals that tantalize the senses.
Salad
Quinoa cranberry salad: A refreshing side
A quinoa cranberry salad sounds pretty perfect to me. Just cook up a cup of quinoa according to the package, then let it cool down. Stir in half a cup of dried cranberries, a chopped apple, some chopped walnuts, and a handful of fresh parsley. Drizzle it with some olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for a tangy side dish that hits the sweet and savory spot.
Breakfast
Cranberry quinoa breakfast bowls
Start your day with a delicious and filling cranberry quinoa breakfast bowl. Simply simmer one cup of quinoa in almond milk until it's soft and fluffy. Then, stir in a quarter cup of dried cranberries and top with your favorite fruits like sliced bananas, a few almonds, and a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness. This breakfast bowl is not just tasty, it will also keep you full until lunch.
Entree
Stuffed squash with quinoa and cranberries
Looking for a satisfying main course? Try stuffed squash with quinoa and cranberries! Halve an acorn squash and roast until tender. While that's cooking, prepare one cup of quinoa. Mix it with half a cup of dried cranberries, chopped kale, diced onions, and crumbled feta cheese. Stuff the roasted squash halves with the quinoa mixture. Enjoy this warm dish on a cold night!
Snack
Cranberry quinoa muffins: A sweet treat
To make cranberry quinoa muffins, combine one cup cooked quinoa, one cup whole wheat flour, half a cup dried cranberries, one teaspoon baking powder, a pinch of salt, and cinnamon. Add half a cup milk and a quarter cup maple syrup. Pour the mixture into muffin tins and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes.
Side dish
Quinoa pilaf with cranberries
For a hearty and delicious side, prepare one cup of quinoa according to package directions. Once cooked, stir in half a cup of sauteed onions, a quarter cup of dried cranberries, and a quarter cup of slivered almonds. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh thyme sprigs. This quinoa pilaf pairs perfectly with grilled vegetables, adding a versatile touch to meals.