A new twist on quinoa. Instead of cooking it the usual way, just in a pot with some water, I decided to cook it a la polenta, jazzing it up with some other ingredients, then baking it in the oven. The resulting polenta can be sliced and topped with something savoury such as the yummy Vegetables with Green Peas and Chickpeas we topped ours with, or eaten as a side to whatever you wish. Or by itself as a quick meal. My previous polenta was mostly cornmeal, jazzed up with a little almond meal and flax meal. Gluten free, but not nut free. This one is nut free as well as gluten free. I think it's possible to experiment and add whatever strikes your fancy. I'll often saute some tomato and garlic with the onion, and use that as a base for my cornmeal polenta. Wanting to go simple this time, I just used a little onion. However, I think this sort of dish is open to endless possibilities, depending on what sort of flavours you are in the mood for. Your imagination (and pantry) are your only limitations.
ingredients:
2 tbsp extra virgin coconut oil
1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 tsp sea salt
3 cups water
1/2 tbsp herbe de provence
black pepper
1/4 cup (organic) corn meal
1/4 cup flax meal
2 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup amaranth
1/2 cup quinoa
directions:
1. saute the onion in coconut oil with sea salt until translucent and well cooked
2. add the boiling water and herbe de provence
3. stir in the corn meal
4. stir in the flax and chia
5. add the quinoa and amaranth
6. cook for 30 minutes at a very low simmer until thickened, and the quinoa is fully cooked
7. scoop into a greased baking dish (this would fit a square), and bake on 345 for 1 hour
8. allow to cool before cutting
9. serve as a side, or as a base for such dishes as vegetables with chickpeas and green peas
This dish won't be quite as 'cohesive' as polenta with more corn meal in it, however it will cut into pieces when cool.
I specify to use organic cornmeal because, along with soy, corn is one of the more polluted options in its non-organic form, according to my research.
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