I made this quick and easy dinner the other night and I knew it would be one I needed to share. The original recipe is from toneitup.com, but I added my own little twist to it and Isaac and I loved how it turned out! I am a fan of quinoa (which my dad likes to call quin-oh-ah), and I have found it to be a great way to substitute rice or pasta in recipes when I’m craving something starchy. This dinner was filling and the basil gave it a fresh taste that I love.
I am a firm believer in eating protein throughout the day, because it helps keep me full and I know my body loves it! I try to switch up the types of protein I eat so I don’t get tired of eating the same thing over and over again… Which is easy to do, trust me. In a normal day, I usually have some variation of eggs, protein powder (or Shakeology when I can afford it), chicken, fish, venison, ground turkey or veggie burgers. On occasion I’ll have a steak or some lean beef, but I try to limit that to about once a week. For this meal, I crumbled a veggie burger over my quinoa bowl, and cooked some venison back strap for Isaac’s in our cast iron skillet. It was the perfect way to finish off the quinoa bowls, and I was so happy with how it turned out.
What is your favorite go-to protein in recipes?
Quinoa and Protein Pesto Bowl
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
3 cups chopped spinach
2 Tbsp chopped basil (fresh)
1 tsp minced garlic
2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
8 oz cooked protein of choice (we had a veggie patty and venison)
In a large bowl mix the quinoa, spinach, basil, garlic, onion powder, cumin, salt and pepper together. Divide into two bowls and top with your protein of choice!
Eat hot, warm or cold.
April 28th, 2016 at 7:53 am
This looks so delicious! Definitely something both my husband and I would love!
April 28th, 2016 at 8:16 pm
Thank you!! I hope you try it out… It was so easy and yummy!
April 28th, 2016 at 9:59 am
Oh yummy, now If I could only get my hubby to eat quinoa with me…. lol
April 28th, 2016 at 8:16 pm
Well it’s taken mine some convincing to eat it, but he does now without complaining! I started by mixing it in with rice, so he could get used to the flavor and texture. :)
April 28th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Yum! We love quinoa! Thank you!
April 28th, 2016 at 8:15 pm
You’re welcome! I love a good quinoa recipe too :)
April 28th, 2016 at 7:08 pm
This looks BOMB and something I’d totally eat for dinner all the time! YUM! PS – Did you use graphics for the arrows or did you use a graphic design tool? I love!
April 28th, 2016 at 8:15 pm
Hi Natalie!! Thanks… I know you’d love it! And I used graphics for the arrows. Just a bunch of free arrow vectors I downloaded a while ago! Makes it easy to use in Photoshop.
April 28th, 2016 at 8:32 pm
I’ve been looking for more healthy easy meals and this incorporates a few of my favorite elements! Can’t wait to try it one of these spring/summer nights when I want something lighter.
April 29th, 2016 at 5:08 am
Awesome!! I know you’ll love it. It’s the perfect meal for warmer evenings for sure!
April 29th, 2016 at 9:19 am
Yum! I had quinoa, chicken, veggies, and goat cheese the other night. I bet adding pesto to that would be amazing!
April 30th, 2016 at 7:03 pm
That sounds so good too! I’ll have to try making it with goat cheese next time.
April 29th, 2016 at 10:09 am
I made my bowl a few nights ago and added some similar ingredients. (Great minds think alike). I was seriously surprised with how flavorful everything was. Great additions girlie!
April 30th, 2016 at 7:03 pm
I agree!! So yummy and I love that it’s easy and versatile so you can add different toppings each time.
April 29th, 2016 at 10:18 am
I love quinoa and pesto so this looks absolutely delicious!
April 30th, 2016 at 7:04 pm
Thank you!! I’ve been on a pesto kick lately… I love adding it to everything!
April 29th, 2016 at 11:03 am
You had me at Pesto. Pinned this one. Thanks!
April 30th, 2016 at 7:04 pm
Thank you!! I know you’ll love it. :)
April 29th, 2016 at 11:47 am
Easy, healthy and delicious – my kind of recipe. This is truly a dish my entire family would love.
April 30th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
That’s great! I was impressed with how it turned out.
April 29th, 2016 at 12:53 pm
This looks delicious! I am certainly going to try it!
April 30th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Yay! Thank you!
April 29th, 2016 at 12:55 pm
okay i have got to try this! wow it looks amazing!
April 30th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Thank you! Let me know how it turns out!
April 29th, 2016 at 3:40 pm
This sounds and looks wonderful! Yum!
April 30th, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Thank you! :)
April 29th, 2016 at 5:05 pm
This looks really good. I would substitute the red meat for some chicken. Great combo of veggies and flavor! Thanks for sharing.
April 30th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
That’s a good idea! I know chicken would go very well in this bowl too.
April 30th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
This looks so tasty! I love your overhead shot. :)
April 30th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
Thank you!! I appreciate it! :)
April 30th, 2016 at 10:35 pm
Great overhead shot – so helpful! This looks so yummy and easy to accomplish. Can’t wait to try it.
May 1st, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Thank you!! I’m a sucker for those kinds of shots. Hope you like it!
May 1st, 2016 at 1:07 pm
YUM! This looks delicious!
May 1st, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Thank you!!
May 1st, 2016 at 6:08 pm
This looks delicious! I love meals where everything can be thrown into a bowl :-)
May 1st, 2016 at 6:16 pm
Me too!! Those are my new favorite dinners to make. I’m just too tired most nights to do any real cooking, so bowl it is!
May 1st, 2016 at 9:53 pm
This looks sooo delicious!!! And easy to make.
liz @ j for joiner
May 2nd, 2016 at 8:43 pm
Thanks Liz!