In our house, we’ve done a good job of cutting back on red meat, which means we’ve been incorporating other sources of protein into our diet. One of our new go-to ingredients is quinoa, a little seed with which you might be familiar. What’s great about quinoa is that it’s not only loaded with protein but is also high in fiber. It’s also a great base for a number of different dishes, which means once you’re used to the texture and cooking with it, you can make almost anything! Our recipe for Cheesy Cranberry Quinoa is one that incorporates both salty and sweet tastes, and is sure to please your palate!
For our cheesy component, we incorporated Kasseri cheese, which is a full-flavored Greek/Turkish cheese. It’s a great melting cheese, which helps add body to the otherwise loose quinoa. It has a smooth, salty taste, much like Muenster or Provolone–just be sure to use it in moderation, because the saltiness of too much Kasseri will overpower the sweetness in this recipe.
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To add some color and to balance the Kasseri, we add cranberries for a pop of flavor and refreshing sweetness.
This super simple recipe is great for vegetarians, so long as you substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth. Its versatility also makes it a good choice for a side dish or a main course. And last but not least, this Cheesy Cranberry Quinoa packs well for lunch the next day!
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Cranberry Cheesy Quinoa
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- 2 cups broth chicken or vegetable
- 1 cup dried cranberries
- Kasseri Cheese
Instructions
- In a fine-mesh sieve, rinse quinoa with cold water.
- Place broth in a medium pan and bring to a boil.
- Add the rinsed quinoa and cranberries. Stir, cover, and lower heat to simmer.
- Cook for 15 minutes until broth has been absorbed. Fluff with a fork and place in serving dish.
- Grate the kasseri cheese over the quinoa and enjoy!