finding time for cooking

for the time-starved or curious culinary adventurer

  • Recipes By Type
    • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
    • Bread Recipes
    • Breakfast Goodies
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes & Veggies
    • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
    • Snacks
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
    • Best Cocktail Gifts: For the At-Home Bartender or Mixologist
  • Foods I’m Obsessed With
    • 30 Minutes or Less…for the Time-Challenged Cook
    • What Bread To Make (Based on Your Time)
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Super Healthy
    • Cooking for One
    • Soup
    • Unleavened Bread Recipes
  • About Me
    • Get In Touch!
    • How-Tos
    • Kitchen Tools I’m Obsessed With
    • Recipes Index
    • Food and Travel—Two of My Favorite Things
    • Bunion Surgery Recovery Tips

One-Pot Kale & Quinoa Pilaf (…and why I’ve been MIA)

February 6, 2016

Wow, I didn’t realize how long it had been since I posted a recipe! January was gone in the blink of an eye. I was traveling the first half…first, a quick little trip down to Cancun to try and get some sun and relaxation for a few days, then Dallas to visit my bestie, and then NYC for a quick work trip. All within two weeks. Add insanely long hours at work, and my blogging and cooking hours have been few and far between.

This recipe isn’t pretty to look at, so instead here are my food adventures from Mexico. Hit and miss, to be honest, because Cancun is (as my mom pointed out) the Branson of Mexico. But we tried really hard to find more authentic local places, and stayed far away from Senor Frog’s.

I drank ALL THE PINA COLADAS and tried Mayan-style chicken and vegetables. Honestly, it was inoffensive but wasn’t a fan.

jess pina colada

We toured Chichen Itza, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Then we chowed down on fish tacos.

jess mom chichen itza

I soaked up every ray of sunshine available on the only sunny day we had. Vitamin D, come to me! And of course, I had a pina colada and a Coke, which is my go-to beach beverage.

jess cancun beach

I took Argentinean food out for a trial run, with my first trip to Argentina coming up in just over a month! It was delicious and an OBSCENE amount of food (you can’t see the insanely huge chunk of beef staring me in the face…). Sarai and I are going to have our work cut out for us.

jess argentinean food

So, that’s all to say sorry for dropping off the face of the earth. Things have been crazy and tiring, and I haven’t been eating anything but nachos since I’ve been home, but I do have a major backlog of awesome recipes from late December that I owe you. But first, we get our kale on…

This recipe isn’t pretty to look at, but it IS fast, easy, healthy, and yummy. I’ll be honest and say that quinoa isn’t really my thing. It’s fine, but the texture is kind of weird and it’s a little bland. So for me, this recipe is good. If you love quinoa, it’s great. The flavors are fresh, tangy, and satisfying.

One Pot Kale & Qunioa Pilaf kale One Pot Kale & Qunioa Pilaf kale closeup2

You can use pretty much any type of kale, though I don’t recommend regular curly kale if you can avoid it (the texture isn’t as great). But purple, red Russian, baby kale, lacinato/dino—any of these are great. Other greens will work, but I’m not sure really soft, delicate ones like spinach will work as well. You want something with tougher leaves.

one pot kale & quinoa pilaf quinoa cooking

Bring the water to a boil in a covered pot. Add the quinoa, cover, and lower the heat until it is just enough to maintain a simmer.

 

One Pot Kale & Qunioa Pilaf kale closeup

one pot kale & quinoa pilaf kale chopped

De-stem the washed kale and roughly chop.

one pot kale & quinoa pilaf kale cooking

Let the quinoa simmer for 10 minutes, then top with the kale and re-cover. Simmer another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and allow it to steam for 5 more minutes.
one pot kale & quinoa pilaf scallions

one pot kale & quinoa pilaf pine nuts lemon goat cheese2

While the quinoa is cooking, take a large serving bowl and combine half of the lemon juice (reserving the other half), all of the lemon zest, scallions, walnut oil (you can substitute olive oil if you don’t have it), pine nuts, and goat cheese.

one pot kale & quinoa pilaf assembled

One Pot Kale & Qunioa Pilaf

Check the quinoa and kale when the cooking time has completed—the water should have absorbed, the quinoa will be tender but firm, and the kale tender and bright green. If the quinoa still has a hard white center, you can steam a bit longer (adding more water if needed).

When the last five minutes are up, fluff the pilaf and tip it into the waiting bowl with the remaining ingredients. As the hot quinoa hits the scallions and lemon it will smell really lovely. Toss to combine, seasoning with salt and pepper, and the remaining lemon juice if needed (I didn’t need it).  This is great leftover, at about room temperature—it’s not as great totally hot or cold.

One-Pot Kale & Quinoa Pilaf

  • 2 cups of water
  • 1 tablespoon of salt
  • 1 cup of quinoa (I used white)
  • 1 bunch of lacinato (or other type of) kale, washed & chopped
  • 1 meyer lemon, zested and juiced (regular lemon will work)
  • 2 scallions, minced
  • 1 tablespoon of toasted walnut oil (I didn’t have, so used olive oil)
  • 3 tablespoons of toasted pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup of crumbled goat cheese
  • Salt and pepper
  1. Bring the water to a boil in a covered pot. Add the quinoa, cover, and lower the heat until it is just enough to maintain a simmer.
  2. Let simmer for 10 minutes, then top with the kale and re-cover. Simmer another 5 minutes, then turn off the heat and allow to steam for 5 more minutes.
  3. While the quinoa is cooking, take a large serving bowl and combine half of the lemon juice (reserving the other half), all of the lemon zest, scallions, walnut oil (you can substitute olive oil if you desire), pine nuts, and goat cheese.
  4. Check the quinoa and kale when the cooking time has completed—the water should have absorbed, the quinoa will be tender but firm, and the kale tender and bright green. If the quinoa still has a hard white center, you can steam a bit longer (adding more water if needed).
  5. When the quinoa and kale are done, fluff the pilaf, and tip it into the waiting bowl with the remaining ingredients. Toss to combine, seasoning with salt and pepper, and the remaining lemon juice if needed (I didn’t need it).

Original recipe from Food 52

1 Comment CATEGORIES // Cooking for One, Recipe Experimentation, Super Healthy

« Gluten-Free Rosemary Cheddar Biscuits
Espresso Chocolate Coffee Cake »

Trackbacks

  1. Best Healthy Recipes of 2016 – finding time for cooking says:
    January 2, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    […] One-Pot Kale & Quinoa Pilaf […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About Me

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! I created this blog for people who love cooking & baking but are challenged to find the time and energy to do it. Recipes run the gamut from super healthy to indulgent, but the focus is on using REAL food no matter what.

Follow Along!

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent IG Adventures!

This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my This adult take on a cherry lemonade (with gin, my true love) is so delicious and refreshing…and has a secret ingredient to get that intense cherry flavor! 

Get the recipe by tapping on the link in my IG bio and choosing this pic—> @findingtimeforcooking 
#cocktailrecipes #sanguemorlacco #cherrylemonade #gincocktails
I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew ho I am OBSESSED with key lime pie, and never knew how easy it is to make at home! This is the best key lime pie recipe around, a perfect balance of tart & sweet, the creamiest custardy filling, and a sweet, buttery graham cracker crust 😍 

Get the recipe yourself by tapping the link in my IG bio & choosing this photo —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#keylimepie #keylime #easydessert #classicdessert
Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loa Looking for a new healthy go-to dish?? This “loaded” Thai chicken salad only takes 15 minutes to whip up and is packed with veggies, texture, & flavor! What really makes the dish is the sweet-spicy-savory dressing… *chefs kiss* 

Tap the link in my IG bio & click on this photo to see the recipe!
#healthyrecipes #thaiflavors #healthydinner #cabbagerecipe
These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups mad These super easy jam & goat cheese phyllo cups made the perfect fancy appetizer for Night To Be…and they’re ready in just 15-ish minutes! 

Tap the link in my bio & click this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#appetizers #phyllodough #goatcheese #easyrecipes
This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance This crazy easy orange curd is the perfect balance of sweet, tart, & just a hint of floral…and only takes 5-10 minutes to make! Perfect heaped on crepes, cakes, and more 💕

Tap the link in my bio & click on this photo to see the recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#citrusfruit #orangecurd #glutenfree #cookingtips
Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 Two kitchen hacks for the price of one!!! 🎉🐓 How to make the easiest, juiciest (hands-off) poached chicken breasts, & then how to shred chicken in 10 seconds. YES, you read that right!! These two techniques combined have been a mainstay for me lately, critical in helping me have something healthy and fast around at all times. 

Check out my Reel in the feed as well, & click on the link in my bio then tap this pic to get the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#kitchenhacks #cookinghealthy #cookinghacks #shreddedchicken
I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeba I’m ready for the amaretto sour to make a comeback! And this recipe (including bourbon) is just the ticket…a little sweet, a little bitter, and a little boozy. 

Tap the link in my IG bio then tap this photo to see the (super easy) recipe —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#amaretto #easycocktails #amarettosour #homebartender
These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are These delicious spicy unleavened cheese straws are my favorite new recipe for the Days of Unleavened Bread! They’re super easy, can be frozen before or after baking (make ahead!) and honestly would make an awesome appetizer any time of year. 

Tap the link in my IG bio (@findingtimeforcooking) then click on this photo to see the recipe post!
#unleavenedbread #cheeselover #appetizerideas #bakingfromscratch
The ultimate “don’t judge a book by its cover” recipe…these dark chocolate sables are maybe the best chocolate cookie ever! Complex, rich without being too sweet, melt in your mouth…and perfect for a late afternoon snack 😍 Shoutout #smittenkitchen for the recipe and reco!

Tap the link in my bio & choose this photo to see the recipe! —> @findingtimeforcooking 
#bakingfromscratch #chocolatelovers #sablé #chocoholic
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Popular Posts

Mom’s Amazing Crockpot Baked Potato Soup

Maple and Oat Scones

Easy & Perfect Spring Dessert: Jam Diagonals

Frittata with Summer Squash, Tomatoes, & Scallions

Cherry & Lemon Gin Cocktail…a.k.a. Cherry Lemonade for Grown-Ups

Recent Posts

  • Cherry & Lemon Gin Cocktail…a.k.a. Cher…
  • The (IMO) Best Homemade Key Lime Pie
  • Super Easy & Healthy “Loaded” Tha…

Categories

  • Appetizers, Dips, & Snacks
  • Bread Recipes
  • Breakfast Goodies
  • Cooking for One
  • Desserts
  • Drinks: Cocktails & More
  • Eating Out
  • Family Secret Recipes
  • Food-Related Miscellany
  • Foods I'm Obsessed With
  • Gluten-Free Recipes
  • Go-To Recipes
  • How-Tos
  • Kitchen Gear
  • Main Dishes
  • Pasta Recipes
  • Recipe Experimentation
  • Sauces, Spices, & Other Basics
  • Side Dishes & Veggies
  • Snacks
  • Soup
  • Super Healthy
  • Travel and Food

Privacy Policy & Disclosures

Copyright & Terms of Use

Copyright 2022 Finding Time For Cooking

0 shares