Veggie Quinoa Bowl

I absolutely love sautéed veggies!  I love them so much,  that I can eat an entire bowl of just veggies for dinner.  But, this isn't true for my kids....  I have to put them in with rice and lots of cheese.  This recipe is so versatile,  as you can add any veggies that you have on hand, swap out the quinoa for any kind of rice, add your favorite vinaigrette and cheese is totally optional. The quinoa adds plant protein and the veggies add lots of vitamins and fiber to your meal. This could be a vegan dish if you leave out the cheese, Or add vegan cheese.  I have used lemon, Italian, and  balsamic dressings, all of which are fabulous in this dish. 

 Ingredients:

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

4 cups of raw veggies (for this recipe I used 1/2 butternut squash, red bell pepper, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, zucchini and red onion)

2-3 garlic cloves, minced 

Sea salt to taste

Red pepper flakes, to taste

Quinoa, cooked according to package directions

drizzle of your favorite vinaigrette, or to taste (recipe for my lemon vinaigrette is at the bottom of the recipe)

Feta cheese

Directions:

Cook quinoa according to package directions..  I use about a half a cup per serving.

Heat large cast iron skillet over medium- high heat.  Add olive oil.  When hot, add veggies.  I added to butternut squash first and cooked for about 10 minutes, then added the other veggies, as I liked it cooked softer.  Sprinkle with sea salt, red pepper flakes. Sauté until browned, or desired do nenes.  I like my veggies tender-crisp.    I add the garlic at the end and cook an additional 3 minutes, so that it doesn't burn.  

Put quinoa in individual bowls, and top with veggies and drizzle with vinaigrette.  Stir and did feta cheese. 

Lemon vinaigrette:

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 

1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

2 drops of lemon vitality essential oil, Or zest of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 

2 garlic cloves, minced 

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

black pepper to taste, or 1 drop black pepper vitality essential oil 

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a bowl and whisk together, or place them in a glass jar and shake to combine.