Toasted Quinoa with Tear Drop Tomatoes and Cilantro Scallion Pesto Recipe

Quinoa:
1 1/2 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 1/2 cups water
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoons kosher salt

Cilantro Scallion Pesto (makes about 1 cup):
2 Tablespoons pepitas, toasted
2 scallions (light green parts only), roughly chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves and stems
1/3 bunch flat-leaf parsley
1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
1/2 lime, juiced
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Tomatoes:
1 pint tear drop or cherry tomatoes, washed and halved
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 lime, juiced
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup Grated queso anejo or ricotta salata cheese for garnish
1 Lime, cut into wedges for garnish

Wash Quinoa: Place quinoa into a fine-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water, about 1-2 minutes. Shake briskly to remove excess water. (If you don’t rinse, quinoa will be very bitter). Bring the water up to a boil in a sauce pan.

Toast Quinoa: In a large high sided sauté pan or a Dutch oven that has a lid, dry roast the washed quinoa over medium high heat. Stir constantly until it gives off a nutty aroma and all of the water from washing evaporates, about 5 minutes.

Cook Quinoa: Pour the boiling water over the quinoa and stir in the olive oil and salt. Bring back up to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and let cook for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, remove the lid, stir and let the quinoa dry out for 2-3 minutes more. The germ around the grain should be very apparent. 

Toast Pepitas: Toast the pepitas in a dry sauté pan over medium heat until they brown and pop, about 3 minutes.

Prepare Ingredients: Chop the scallions and remove the very end of the cilantro stems. Peel and smash the garlic and juice the lime.

Make Pesto: Place all of the pesto ingredients, except the olive oil, into the bowl of a food processor. Turn processor on and slowly add the olive oil. Scrape the sides of bowl and process again. Taste and re season if necessary.  Set aside for use later.

Halve Tomatoes: Cut the tomatoes in half (or quarters if large) and place into a small bowl. Mince the garlic and chop the cilantro, add to the tomatoes. Stir in the lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

Dress Quinoa: Add the pesto into the quinoa and incorporate well. Gently mix in the tomatoes. Serve quinoa warm or at room temperature, garnished with the grated cheese and  lime wedges.

Recipe created by Parties That Cook®