Hearty, healthy, amazingly flavorful one pot Moroccan quinoa with red lentils. The lentils, quinoa, and vegetables all cook together in one pan, and the dish is finished with notes of citrus, herbs, and toasted almond. Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free recipe.
Course dinner, Moroccan
Cuisine gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian
Keyword one pot Moroccan quinoa, quinoa with red lentils
Prep Time 10minutes
Cook Time 35minutes
Total Time 45minutes
Servings 4servings
Calories 397kcal
Author Yup, it's Vegan
Ingredients
For the Moroccan spice blend (makes a little extra):
1/4cuploosely-packed chopped fresh cilantro(or mint, or a combination)
1/4cupchopped toasted almonds
Instructions
To make the Moroccan spice blend:
Toast all of the whole spices (fennel seeds through allspice berries) over medium heat in a dry skillet, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
Grind them in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle. Mix in the rest of the spices and set aside.
To make the one pot Moroccan quinoa:
In a large skillet or wide saucepan, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add the carrot and potato and stir. Cook for 5 minutes, or until starting to soften.
Add the onion and bell pepper, along with another splash of oil if needed and a pinch of salt. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
Add the spice blend, stir, and cook for 1 minute, or until the spices are fragrant.
Add the red lentils, quinoa, cayenne pepper vegetable broth and salt, and stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cover.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the quinoa, lentils, and vegetables are cooked through, about 20 minutes. If the mixture starts to dry out before it's done, add more vegetable broth. If there is excess liquid, continue cooking with the cover removed.
Stir in the orange and lemon juice, and cook for another minute or two uncovered until the juice is incorporated. Taste for salt, heat, and acid, and adjust as desired.
Serve hot. Fold in chopped herbs and toasted almonds just before serving. After cooling to room temperature, leftovers can be refrigerated for several days.