Pork Fried Quinoa

Description

These tiny quinoa seeds really are sponges for flavor. I was really surprised how decadent and satisfying this seemed, and with only a tablespoon of vegetable oil and a handful of very lean smoked ham.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1 ½ cups cold water
  • salt to taste
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 cup cubed fully cooked ham
  • ½ cup diced red bell pepper
  • ½ cup chopped green onion, white and green parts separated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon chile-garlic sauce (such as Sriracha®), or more to taste (Optional)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, or to taste (Optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse quinoa in cold water for about 1 minute and drain well.
  2. Place in a saucepan and cover with 1 1/2 cup cold water and salt. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to low. Simmer
  3. covered
  4. until quinoa is tender
  5. about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes.
  6. Fluff quinoa with a fork and set aside.
  7. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir ham
  8. red bell pepper
  9. and the white parts of the green onion until the ham begins to brown
  10. about 5 minutes. Set chopped green onion tops aside. Add garlic
  11. remove from heat
  12. and stir until garlic becomes aromatic
  13. 1 or 2 minutes.
  14. Stir in quinoa and return to stove over medium-low heat. Cook and stir until warmed through
  15. 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add vinegar
  16. soy sauce
  17. chile-garlic sauce
  18. and sesame seeds. Garnish with reserved green onion tops.

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 25 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 4

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