Chicken Fried Quinoa

“Knowing well that this [traditionally] indulgent dish was not the type of dish we should be eating every day, I started playing around with the recipe – substituting olive oil for butter and, of course, quinoa for rice! I was instantly hooked. The crunchy texture of the tri-coloured quinoa adding that extra element that was apparently missing with the white rice. Now I can eat it all of the time without feeling weighed down.”

Ingredients:

2 Tbsp (30 mL) olive oil

2 eggs

salt and pepper

1 small white onion, finely chopped

1 Tbsp (15 mL) garlic, minced

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 cup tri-colour quinoa, cooked and cooled

1 cup small broccoli florets, blanched

¼ cup (60 mL) low-sodium soy sauce (approx.)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Heat half the oil in a large, nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat. Add the eggs; season with salt and pepper. Break the yolks without scrambling with the whites. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until yolks and whites are set. Transfer to a cutting board and chop; set aside.

2. Heat the remaining oil in the pan set over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender but not browned.

3. Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the carrot; cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the quinoa, broccoli, chicken and soy sauce. Cook for 3 minutes or until heated through. Stir in the egg. Divide between 4 plates and top with optional cilantro as a garnish.