Saffron Quinoa With Dried Cherries And Almonds

Serves: 2

Amie Torphy

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

42

Spice

43

Sweetness

53

Sourness

36

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

3 tbsps

Coconut Oil

1.5 cups

Almond (sliced)

1 medium

Onion (chopped)

2 cups

Quinoa

1.5 cups

Dried Cherry

Directions:

1

Crush saffron, if using, with the handle of a wooden spoon (or crush between your fingers) in a small bowl until a powder forms

2

Add 1 Tbsp

3

Hot water

4

Swirl gently; set aside to steep

5

Heat 1 Tbsp

6

Oil in a large pot over medium-high

7

Add almonds, cinnamon, cayenne, and 1/4 tsp

8

Salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes

9

Using a slotted spoon, transfer almonds to a small bowl; reserve oil in pot

10

Heat oil in pot over medium-high

11

Add onion and remaining 2 Tbsp

12

Oil and 1 1/2 tsp

13

Salt, reduce heat to medium, and cook until onion is light brown and translucent, about 5 minutes

14

Add quinoa and cook, tossing to coat, until fragrant and beginning to brown, 1–2 minutes

15

Stir in 4 cups water, cover pot, and bring to a boil

16

Reduce heat to low and simmer until quinoa is cooked and water is absorbed, 20–30 minutes

17

Remove from heat, sprinkle cherries over, cover, and let sit 10 minutes

18

Transfer 2 cups quinoa mixture to a medium bowl

19

Reserve 1/2 cup toasted almonds, then toss remaining almonds with remaining quinoa mixture and transfer to a platter

20

Toss quinoa in bowl with saffron water until coated, then garnish platter with saffron quinoa

21

Top with remaining toasted almonds

22

Crush saffron, if using, with the handle of a wooden spoon (or crush between your fingers) in a small bowl until a powder forms

23

Add 1 Tbsp

24

Hot water

25

Swirl gently; set aside to steep

26

Heat 1 Tbsp

27

Oil in a large pot over medium-high

28

Add almonds, cinnamon, cayenne, and 1/4 tsp

29

Salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes

30

Using a slotted spoon, transfer almonds to a small bowl; reserve oil in pot

31

Heat oil in pot over medium-high

32

Add onion and remaining 2 Tbsp

33

Oil and 1 1/2 tsp

34

Salt, reduce heat to medium, and cook until onion is light brown and translucent, about 5 minutes

35

Add quinoa and cook, tossing to coat, until fragrant and beginning to brown, 1–2 minutes

36

Stir in 4 cups water, cover pot, and bring to a boil

37

Reduce heat to low and simmer until quinoa is cooked and water is absorbed, 20–30 minutes

38

Remove from heat, sprinkle cherries over, cover, and let sit 10 minutes

39

Transfer 2 cups quinoa mixture to a medium bowl

40

Reserve 1/2 cup toasted almonds, then toss remaining almonds with remaining quinoa mixture and transfer to a platter

41

Toss quinoa in bowl with saffron water until coated, then garnish platter with saffron quinoa

42

Top with remaining toasted almonds

43

Do Ahead Quinoa, with cherries, can be cooked 3 days ahead

44

Transfer to a resealable container and chill

45

Reheat over low on stovetop or in a 300°F oven until warmed

46

Quinoa, with cherries, can be cooked 3 days ahead

47

Transfer to a resealable container and chill

48

Reheat over low on stovetop or in a 300°F oven until warmed