Simple Sunday Recipes: Moroccon Quinoa

Moroccon Quinoa with Ras Al Hanout Vegetables

Looking for a quick and easy dinner to pair with Sweet Thursday? Try Moroccan quinoa with Ras Al Hanout roasted vegetables. This colorful yet simple-to-make dish will satisfy everyone from the vegans to the meat-eaters. Try it for a weeknight dinner, throw it into containers for your weekly meal prep, or take it on your next outdoor adventure for an easy lunch. For a vegan option, try it sans feta or with your favorite vegan cheese.

What’s Ras Al Hanout? This savory Moroccan spice blend literally translates in Arabic to “top shelf.” Created by North African spice dealers who would mix together the best spices they had to offer, ras al hanout is a heady, aromatic blend of spices like cinnamon, cumin, coriander, allspice, and ginger.

Ingredients:

1 cup tricolor quinoa

4 Tbs olive oil, divided

1 1/2 tsp ras al hanout

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

2 Tbs chopped parsley

Salt to taste

1 Tbs balsamic vinegar

2 bell peppers, cut into 1-2" chunks

1 zucchini, cut into 1/2" thick slices

1 medium red onion, cut in 1/2 then into 1" wedges

3 oz. feta (for a vegan option, try sans feta or substitute your favorite vegan cheese)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450°F. 

Combine chopped vegetables with balsamic vinegar and 1 Tbs of olive oil, spread in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast for 20-25 minutes.

While vegetables are roasting, bring 3 quarts of water to boil in a pot, add 1/4 tsp salt and the dry quinoa; cook for 15 minutes then drain quinoa in a fine mesh strainer. 

Let sit for five minutes then stir to fluff. 

In a medium bowl, combine quinoa with ras al hanout, lemon juice, parsley, remaining 3 Tbs of olive oil, and salt to taste. When ready to serve, divide quinoa between four plates, top with roasted vegetables, crumble feta on top, (or ditch the cheese for an equally delicious vegan option).

Thanks to our friend Shannon Quinn for this savory recipe idea!

We’d love to hear some of your favorite recipe ideas to keep your Sundays simple. Comment below to join the conversation!

Cheers, and happy Sunday!