Thai Fried Quinoa is a healthier riff on fried rice, and is full of aromatic Thai flavors, including coconut, ginger, cilantro and lime.
On the last episode of Ben’s Not Home For Dinner, I got up-close and personal with a creamy, comforting Tuna Noodle Casserole. A dish that I happen to adore, but my man won’t touch with a 10 foot pole.
On tonight’s episode we feature an entree that is not only meatless, but also contains a slightly sweet element, otherwise known as meh and nuh-uh in my husband’s world.
Ben’s been in Vegas since Friday night for a bachelor party (?) and while I can’t wait to see his smiling face when he gets home tonight, I’ve been loving the recipes chock-full of Kristin-friendly ingredients I’ve made in his absence, like tonight’s dinner of Thai Fried Quinoa.
Coconut milk-infused quinoa is stir fried with ginger, garlic, pineapple and peas, then drizzled with a lime-soy sauce, and topped with chopped peanuts. AKA, my dream meal, but something Ben would just rather…not.
To be fair, peas are his fourth favorite food after potatoes, turkey and ketchup, and I did overhear him telling my Dad how awesome! quinoa is last week (so adorable)Â But you know what I mean!
Start by rinsing 1 cup quinoa under water in a fine mesh strainer, then add it to a saucepan. Pour in 1 cup each chicken broth and lite coconut milk.
Tip: shake your can of coconut milk before you open it. The fat in the milk rises to the top and sticks to the lid otherwise.
Bring the liquid to a boil then place a lid on top, lower the heat to medium low (about a 3.5 out of 10) and let the quinoa simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s tender and cooked through.
While the quinoa is cooking, heat a large wok or skillet over medium-high heat, then give it a good coating with non-stick spray. Add 2 chopped green onions, 1 Tablespoon grated ginger, and 2 teaspoons minced garlic then cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly as to not burn the garlic.
BTW, I made the rookie mistake of going grocery shopping during the mad Saturday afternoon rush this weekend, and by the time I got to the fresh ginger, it was all gone. I paid through the nose for this tube of pre-grated ginger, but I’m actually kind of loving the convenience factor!
Next add 1 cup frozen peas, 1-8oz can pineapple tidbits (drained), and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro to the hot wok.
Cook for an additional minute or two, giving the peas time to heat through.
Lookin’ good already!
Next push the ingredients up the side of the wok to create a clear space in the center.
Add 2 whisked eggs, and scramble them up using a spatula. When they’re cooked, toss everything together to combine.
Finally, add in the cooked quinoa,
2 Tablespoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari (dish will not be GF if using soy sauce) and the juice of 1/2 a lime.
Toss it all together then scoop into bowls, top with chopped peanuts, and enjoy!
Stop what you are doing this very minute, go to the grocery store, buy the ingredients for this dish, and make a double batch. That is a direct order.
That is to say, this is ab incredible dish! A light tropical scent hits your nose before you take a bite, then blammo – flavor explosion. Spicy ginger, savory garlic, sweet pineapple, and fragrant coconut. I adore this recipe!
Mae 03.26.2012
I made Thai food tonight too! I lived there for 2 years, and almost every Thai dish contains something sweet, spicy, salty, and sour – a perfect combination! This looks delicious. I usually go for price over convenience when it comes to produce.
Michelle (Better with Berries) 03.26.2012
This dish looks awesome! My boyfriend is a very picky eater, so I know that when we live together I’ll have to make all of the food he won’t eat on the nights he’s away :-)
Just saw your post about cooking with Curtis Stone – that is SO AWESOME!!
Jeff 03.26.2012
This looks amazingly good AND I have all of these ingredients in the kitchen right now. Instead of Soy Sauce, Try a mixture of Thai Fish Sauce and a bit of brown sugar along with the lime. Yum.
Lindsey 03.26.2012
I need to buy me some quinoa! I’ve never had it, and you keep posting these delicious recipes! :)
Morgan 03.26.2012
Thanks for this! I wonder how this would go with your Thai burger recipe?
Kat 03.26.2012
Sounds so good! May have to change dinner plans tonight… Do you think it could be good with sliced chicken cooked in some thai peanut sauce (like the one in your Thai Turkey Burger recipe) thrown on top? For the men in our lives who love meat. Just wondering – since you know how the dish already tastes…
Iowa Girl Eats 03.26.2012
Definitely!
Kat 03.26.2012
Already made it and ate it. SO GOOD!
Lauren 03.26.2012
This sounds fantastic! I’ve been using quinoa to make fried rice but I love your thai spin on it.
Afton 03.26.2012
Hi IGE! My hubby and I went to Hunger Games on Friday night (in Ankeny) and as we were waiting for the movie to start, I overheard the 2 women behind me talking about you! They were comparing different recipes of yours- specifically Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Mac and Cheese! I thought you’d like to know. :) You must have quite a local following. Thanks for being so awesome!
Iowa Girl Eats 03.26.2012
Oh my gosh, that is too crazy! I hope they like it…! ;)
randi 03.27.2012
I too hear many people talk about you. Usually when I am at TJ on a Sunday. It is CRAZY! Even the register clerks talk about you…
Sarah 03.26.2012
That sounds amazing. I love all the flavors in it.
kathleen @ the daily crumb 03.26.2012
your pictures are beautiful! i love quinoa — just bought a brand new bag at TJ’s! enjoy the night :)
christa 03.26.2012
Have you ever thought of putting Weight Watchers PointsPlus Values on your meals?
Iowa Girl Eats 03.26.2012
I haven’t because I don’t participate in WW, and I’m not sure how!
Elizabeth Whitehill 03.26.2012
what about calorie count…do you keep track of those? This looks sooo good!!
christa 03.26.2012
I would be willing to tell you each recipes point value, all I need to know is total fat grams, carbs, protein and fiber. Its that simple! I bet your readers would love it if you provided this info, I know I would! Your recipes are pretty healthy and thats what WW’ers are looking for! (BTW, Im not part of WW, i just follow their program)
katie@newmamamac 03.26.2012
i’m not gonna lie i really (secretly) love it when my husband is not home for dinner.
Krysten @ Mrs. Schwartz's Kitchen 03.26.2012
I will come over to eat anytime Ben is gone! This looks amazing and my husband wouldn’t like it either. Men…
Whitney @ Whit Likes Fit 03.26.2012
That’s too funny. My husband is out of town this week and every meal I’ve planned out for myself are ones he’d never eat.
Lindsey 03.26.2012
I have a favorite dish I make that is almost exactly the same as that, but minus the coconut milk so next time I will add that in for sure.
It depends, most times I will do it myself but if I am hosting supper or a party, sometimes convenience wins!
Jill 03.26.2012
As amazing as this sounds and as easy as it will be to adapt, if you’re using chicken broth then it’s not actually vegetarian :)
Iowa Girl Eats 03.26.2012
Oh you’re right! My bad!
Julia 03.26.2012
This looks delightful!
I’ll pay for convenience sometimes and with certain items. But in general, I’m trying to train myself to put in the effort, and save the money. It’s a loooong training process ;)
Amber Shea @Almost Vegan 03.26.2012
Looks amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever had quinoa in an Asian preparation before – must try.
Olivia 03.26.2012
Oh man I was JUST thinking of a pineapple stir fry some time soon! :) Looks awesome!
Adrienne @ Midwestern Belle 03.26.2012
I recently found your blog and just love it! I’m another Midwestern lady (from KC!!) and always like finding other Midwest blogs :)
This quinoa dish looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it!
Laura 08.26.2014
Ironically, I googled “what can I make with Quinoa, Coconut Milk and Chicken Broth” (as I opened my pantry and it was like all I had. LOL) and I came upon your recipe! I’m so glad I did and THANK YOU for sharing it. I picked up the fresh ingredients at the market and am enjoying it now with a glass of wine. I did add some chicken to mine though :) Keep it up, can’t wait to check out your other recipes and thanks again !