Thai Fried Quinoa
April 3, 2012
We took Cocktail Sundays to a whole new level last night. Technically it was a Monday, but you get my drift.
Not only did swanky boyfriend throw together an amazing cocktail (more on that later)….
I had Mama Pea’s inspiration to prepare an amazing dinner to go with it.
The delicious ingredient that tied the two together? Lite coconut milk, my friends.
Lite coconut milk is about 100 less calories per serving than regular coconut milk making it the perfect addition to any dinner or drink.
I did follow Mama Pea’s recipe pretty closely. The only changes I made was switching to lite coconut milk and low sodium vegetable broth. I also improvised with the scrambled tofu (the recipe isn’t online).
Thai Fried Quinoa (from Peas and Thank You)
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 cup dry quinoa
- 1 cup lite coconut milk
- 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
- 1/3 cup chopped green onions
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup pineapple
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce (used in tofu as well)
- 1/2 cup scrambled tofu
- Optional garnishes: lime wedges, peanuts, cilantro
Directions:
To make scrambled tofu, I combined coconut milk and soy sauce (about 1 tablespoon each) and added to firm (already pressed) tofu.
Add to skillet and sauté until slightly brown (about 3 minutes). Set aside.
In other pan set to medium-high heat, add quinoa. Stir every minute or so until quinoa is toasted.
Combine coconut milk and vegetable broth and add to quinoa.
Bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed.
Meanwhile, coat a large skillet with cooking spray or a light spritz of oil and place over medium-high heat. Add green onion, ginger and garlic and sauté for a minute or two.
![]()
treatment nasal polyps
he iPad”>Uses for the iPad
e: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; padding-top: 0px; border-width: 0px;” title=”IMG_8887″ src=”http://swankydietitian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/IMG_8887_thumb.jpg” alt=”IMG_8887″ width=”483″ height=”323″ border=”0″ />
Add peas, pineapple and cilantro and sauté for an additional minute.
Add quinoa to the skillet and cook until starting to slightly brown and crisp.
Finish with lime juice and soy sauce and add in scrambled tofu, if using.
Serve with garnish. Enjoy! 
This dish was exceptionally tasty.
I love combining sweet and savory ingredients. This dish was spot on with sweet pineapple and savory quinoa.
The taste of the tofu was very slight. I am sure if you marinade it, it will have a stronger flavor. I like that it didn’t over power the dish. This recipe is a keeper!
Now, I know my boyfriend is a great cook but I didn’t realize he was quite the bartender as well. Last night while I was snapping away taking pictures of my dinner, he was in the kitchen mixing up a delicious and tropical treat.
Coconut and Pineapple Delight (serves 4)
Ingredients:
- 24 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 quart white rum
- 1 cup pineapple chunks
- 2 tablespoons ginger
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 4 tablespoons lite coconut milk (added at the end)
- Cherries and orange slice to garnish
Directions:
Combine all ingredients together, leaving out coconut milk. Pour drink into each glass. Add in coconut milk as garnish and top with cherries and orange slice.
If I closed my eyes, I almost felt like I was on a beach somewhere in Hawaii. A girl can dream. This drink is not low in calories, but boy, was it delicious!!
Enough said. 
Other Swanky Scoop:
A big thanks to all of you that have entered my Cabot Cheese giveaway! If you haven’t already there are still a few more days to enter.
What is your favorite cuisine? Are you a fan of savory and sweet?
zp8497586rq
zp8497586rq
Tagged as:
cocktail sundays,
cononut and pineapple delight,
dinner,
drink,
recipe,
thai fried quinoa
{ 21 comments }
I love me some thai food! Yum, yum, yum! Perhaps this should be my Easter meal. Forget brunch – I want this quinoa and cocktail combo!
Haha! No kidding!
I love making regular fried rice with quinoa so I really want to try using the coconut milk to make this Thai fried rice with quinoa – it looks delicious!
That cocktail sounds lethal! Like I would drink so much, I would be gone!
This recipe sounds delicious! You’ve got me salivating at 8am!!!!
Thanks Amanda! I know! I am happy I have leftovers.
I made that recipe once!! LOVED it. And so did Kevin. Huge win. I love that flavor combo!
Love, love,love Thai food, and this recipe sounds fabulous! Definitely on my list to make! The cocktail sounds pretty yummy too
Um – YUM. Looks fantastic and that cocktail would cost a small fortune if you ordered it out!
I am absolutely loving all these delicious cocktail recipes! Keep them coming!
Thanks Stephanie!!
He is surely a keeper! The drink goes so well with the meal, too
Wow–what an impressive evening of eats! I’m on a major coconut milk kick right now, and have been using it as a cream replacement in a number of dishes. Who knew you could make alfredo sauce out of coconut milk? Not this girl…until about a week ago!
I’m definitely going to try this stir-fry…Love the idea of adding pineapple as well! And pina coladas are my favorite cocktail, so the coconut and pineapple delight sounds dreamy.
I love coconut milk. I have been buying this lately just to top off my oatmeal in the a.m….it’s is just so much more flavorful (concentrated) than the ‘milk.’ It really adds tons of flavor to any dish. I love the idea of fried quinoa…like a fried rice, I suppose….with only tons more nutrition!
Look at that drink!!! YUM-me!
Yes, definitely reminded me of a fried rice. I think it would serve as a great side too!
I love the sweet/heat combo – if I have something sweet in the dish, I need to add spicy to balance it, otherwise its just two one note.
Off to enter the cheese giveaway – how did I miss that one?!!
Delicious!! I never thought of cooking quinoa with coconut milk.
I just mae a thai green curry, but served it over plain quinoa. Must add pineapples next time!
That looks DELICIOUS!!
And that cocktail looks just perfect…he’s a keeper for sure
Thanks Cait!! I think so too!
That drink looks great!! I’ve never tried using fresh ginger before but I love the taste – this seems like the perfect way to try it
Oh my lord that looks yummy! I love quinoa and love adding it to just about anything. Love your blog by the way!
Glad to be on the Fit Approach team with you!
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 1 trackback }