Quinoa with Sautéed Vegetables and Caramelized Onions

Makes 4 servings Total time 45-60 mins

Quinoa

1 cup quinoa - rinsed and drained

2 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1 tbsp olive oil

½ tsp salt

Caramelized onions

2 lbs onions,cut in 1/4” slices

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tbsp butter

½ tsp salt

1 tsp light brown sugar

1 tbsp water

Sautéed Vegetables

4 cloves garlic, crushed

2 tbsp olive oil

1 small eggplant cut into bite size pieces and sweated with salt for 10 minutes

1 zucchini cut into bite size pieces

1/2 red pepper cut into bite size pieces

Salt & Pepper

Hot pepper flakes

2/3 cup slivered almonds, lightly toasted

Start by preparing the caramelized onions.

1. Halve the onions and cut into ¼ inch thick slices.

1. In a large (10”-14”) sauté pan, heat the oil and butter over high heat, and when the foaming subsides, stir in the brown sugar and salt.

1. Toss in the sliced onions and give a good stir to coat them all. Cook on high heat for five minutes until the onions begin to soften, stirring frequently.

1. Turn the heat down to medium and let the onions cook, stirring frequently. If they start to burn, turn down the heat a little, and if they're not starting to brown after 15-20 minutes, raise the heat a little. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 35-40 minutes until they are a deep brown, mahogany color.

1. While the onions are cooking, start the quinoa by heating 1 tbsp of oil in a 2 qt. saucepan.

1. Add the quinoa and stir over medium heat for 1-2 minutes.

1. Stir in the broth, ½ tsp salt and bring to a boil.

1. Cover, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Broth will be totally absorbed.

Now, start the vegetables…

1. Heat 1 tbsp of olive oil in large sauté pan

1. Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds and then add the zucchini, eggplant and red peppers and stir constantly. If it starts to look dry, add another tbsp of olive oil.

1. Continue stirring for about 3-4 minutes until veggies are cooked through, but still firm.

1. Add the salt, pepper and pepper flakes.

1. Add the caramelized onions to the veggie mixture and quickly stir to heat through.

1. Place cooked quinoa into a serving bowl and mix with cooked veggies and onions.

1. Sprinkle the toasted almonds on top and serve.