Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Crazy Ingredient Challenge - Lemongrass and Quinoa

It is time to think outside of the box and use ingredients that you may not think go together or that you may not ever tried before.  This month's ingredients are Lemongrass and Quinoa, two ingredients that I use frequently, although the Lemongrass I usually only use for tea.
I received dried Lemongrass from my MIL that she sent from West Africa.  I mostly use it to make tea so when I heard that it was one of the ingredients in this month's challenge I was excited.  I wanted to think outside of my box and use this ingredient in something else then just tea.  Quinoa is another ingredient that I enjoy eating and so this is a perfect challenge for me....

Lemongrass Quinoa Salad and Lemongrass Chicken

As I was trying to think of something to come up with these ingredients my mind went to something sweet first, maybe a loaf or muffins.  But as I kept thinking of what I wanted to make my mind went to a Quinoa Salad that I had eaten once in an Edmonton hospital, it had fruit in it and as lemongrass would go perfect with fruits, I knew what I wanted to make a Quinoa Salad.


Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked quinoa (I used red quinoa but original would work too)
2 cups water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp dry lemongrass
1/3 cup pomegranate
2/3 cup blueberries
2 tsp minced red onions.

Directions:
In small pot cook quinoa in water as directed, I also added a small amount of salt and olive oil while I was cooking the quinoa.  Most quinoa takes approx 20 minutes to cook on medium heat.
In small bowl mix lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and lemongrass.
Add lemon mixture to quinoa and cook covered for additional 5 minutes.  Let cool.
Once quinoa is cool add pomegranate, blueberries and red onion, mix well.

This recipe is yummy by itself but I served it with a Lemongrass Chicken. 



Lemongrass Chicken 
Ingredients:
1 lb chicken
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp Greek Seasoning
1/2 tsp Lemongrass
1 tbsp olive oil

Directions:
In small bowl mix Greek yogurt, Greek Seasoning and Lemongrass.
Marinate chicken in yogurt mixture for 15-20 minutes.
Heat olive oil in skillet.
On medium-high heat place chicken into skillet and sear both sides. 
Turn heat down to medium and low and continue to cook until chicken is done, temperature at 165 degrees.





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29 comments:

  1. What a lovely meal you created. I am going to like this club!!

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    1. Thanks Wendy.. I love this group and thinking outside of the box.

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  2. This salad sounds beautiful and refreshing. Perfectly healthy too! I also used red quinoa. :)

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    1. I have been trying hard to eat more healthier and this is one of my first steps to a healthier me. I had the red quinoa in my cupboard for a long time.. glad I used it in this recipe.

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  3. Love your salad, especially with the berries. Great recipe from this months challenge. Pinned.

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  4. The lemongrass and pom flavor sounds delicious together! Great job!

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    1. Thank Ashley, they worked perfectly together.

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  5. I love fruit in my salad so this is right up my alley!

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  6. The salad looks fabulous, but I have got to try that chicken tonight. Luckily I have plenty of lemongrass.

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  7. A very interesting challenge and also very interesting how each of you approached the ingredients. I am please you shared at For what it's worth-jeannie.

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  8. Your dish sounds lovely! I will have to watch for lemongrass in my stores.

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  9. This sounds like a delicious dish. I love quinoa.

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  10. This is gorgeous. I've never used the red quinoa but it sure does pretty up a dish doesn't it.

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  11. Love the flavor profile you chose for this dish Marlys! So fresh, healthy and delicious!

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  12. I love quinoa, but have never used lemon grass...'bout time I think! :)

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  13. You did a great job with the Lemongrass challenge. I love the Quinoa salad with blueberries AND pomegranate.

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  14. You did very well for your challenge. This looks wonderful.

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  15. I love adding fruits in my salads! This is one healthy delicious light meal!

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  16. I love lemongrass! The salad looks fresh and delicious!

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  17. I've never cooked with lemongrass, but this looks like a good recipe to try it out on :)

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  18. I love quinoa and the fresh ingredients in this salad sound amazing!! What a creative way to use these ingredients!!

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  19. Lemongrass and quinoa sounds like an interesting combination. I would never have thought to pair the two but this sounds really beautiful.

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  20. Just discovered your blog Marlys. I love it. We occasionally feature West African cuisine. It is definitely an acquired taste... and a cuisine that is not known enough in the Western Hemisphere!

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  21. I really enjoy quinoa, but have never mixed it with fruit. Must try this!

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  22. What a great combination of flavors!

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  23. This is awesome! I love quinoa salads like this. And, I think it'd be great for breakfast as well. (maybe without the onion for breakfast). Can't wait to make it. I've yummed it for later.

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  24. I'm not sure if my first comment went through! But I just wanted to let you know that the looks like such a great combination of flavors!!

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