Prepare to revolutionize your holiday table with a stunning Golden Beet Cranberry Quinoa Stuffing that's not just a side dish, but a culinary masterpiece! Imagine a vibrant, nutrient-packed recipe that transforms traditional stuffing into a gourmet experience that will have your guests asking for seconds. This incredibly easy-to-make dish combines the earthy sweetness of roasted golden beets, the tangy pop of cranberries, and the nutty richness of quinoa - creating a show-stopping recipe that's both delicious and nutritionally powerful.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 golden beets, roasted and diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash the golden beets thoroughly and wrap them individually in aluminum foil.
- Place the foil-wrapped beets on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. Remove from oven and let cool.
- While the beets are roasting, rinse the quinoa under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer to remove any bitter coating.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the quinoa and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
- Once the roasted beets are cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and dice them into small, uniform cubes.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, diced roasted golden beets, dried cranberries, and chopped pecans.
- Drizzle olive oil over the mixture and gently fold to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the stuffing and mix lightly to distribute evenly.
- Transfer the stuffing to a serving dish. Can be served warm or at room temperature as a side dish or vegetarian main course.
Tips
- For the most flavorful beets, choose golden beets that are firm and have smooth, unblemished skin.
- Rinse quinoa thoroughly to remove the natural saponin coating, which can make it taste bitter.
- To save time, you can roast the beets a day ahead and store them in the refrigerator.
- Toast the pecans lightly before adding them to enhance their nutty flavor.
- For a vegan version, ensure your vegetable broth is certified vegan.
- This stuffing can be prepared in advance and gently reheated, making it perfect for meal prep or holiday cooking.
- Experiment with additional herbs like thyme or sage to customize the flavor profile.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 220kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
