While everyone is jumping the gun and posting all their pumpkin recipes, I am saving mine for a few weeks from now. Why post all the pumpkin NOW in September and then run out by mid-October? Lets spread it out and share some non-season dictated recipes too! The recipe I have for you today is super yummy and protein packed with a little green and healthy fats! The perfect side dish to any dinner in my opinion.
I don’t like to use oil when I cook, but sesame oil is one exception. Sesame oil is not an oil you can “cook” with as it has a very low heat point and will develop a terrible taste if you cook it for long or try to saute something with it. You also don’t need a lot to get that perfect sesame flavor. Sesame oil should be added at the end of cooking and slowly in small amounts to achieve the perfect “sesameness.”
When ever I hear sesame in a dish, my mouth always waters. I just love the flavor so much! When ever I am craving Asian food, sesame is the first thing that I’ll add to a dish or even think of using to satisfy that craving. I have always been a long time user of sesame seeds and sesame oil, and most recently tahini (sesame paste). But I think my favorite will always be my little bottle of pure sesame oil.
But I did use one new sesame “product” in this dish. Black sesame seeds! I love my tasted white sesame seeds, but I had always eyed that bottle of black sesame seeds in the store and finally bought it to try when I made this dish. There is no difference in taste, just a more interesting color. Plus it gave me an excuse to photograph on my new black plate I had bought. White plates are nice, but black plates are edgy 😉
Sesame Broccoli Quinoa
Ingredients: (serves 2-3)
+ 3/4 Cup Dry Quinoa
+ 1 3/4 Cup Chopped Broccoli
+ 2 Scallions (chopped) (more for topping)
+ 1 Cup (5oz) Diced Water Chestnuts
+ 2 Tsp Pure Sesame Oil
+ 1/2 TB Black Sesame Seeds (more for topping)
+ 1/2 TB Toasted White Sesame Seeds (more for topping)
+ 1/2 Tsp Minced Garlic
Directions:
+ Boil 1 1/2 cups of water in a large pot. Rinse your quinoa thoroughly under cold water and add to the boiling pot of water along with the broccoli and water chestnuts. Reduce to simmer, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes or until water is absorbed.
+ Add the chopped scallions about halfway though.
+ When it’s done, add in the garlic, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Mix and distribute everything thoroughly.
+ Serve and top with additionally scallion slices and a sprinkle of each the black and white sesame seeds.
That’s another thing. When I want Asian, I also always want some water chestnuts! Those things are so good! I used to hate them as a kid. When ever we would order Chinese food and water chestnuts were in the dish, I would always pick them out and turn up my nose to them. But now…give me all the water chestnuts! Those little crunchy gems are amazing!
So sesame and water chestnuts. That’s Asian to me, haha! Throw those things into a dish and you’ve got the perfect Asian side. Healthy take-out that my little gluten-free and SOY-free heart can adore. I do sorta miss real Chinese take-out, but I just can’t eat it with all my food restrictions. Especially the soy thing. But I make do with my healthy Asian just fine!
Happy start to the pumpkin season with this healthy Asian side dish! Haha! Believe me, you won’t be missing the pumpkin here. All the sesame and crunchy water chestnut goodness makes up for it 😉
So tell me:
+ What is you favorite Chinese take-out dish? I loved chicken and cashews and veggie fried rice! O and cold sesame noodles!
+ When you think of Asian food, what do you think of first? I also always think of fish…
*Recipe linking up for the week! WIAW, Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, #RecipeOfTheWeek, #StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays, Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Healthy Vegan Fridays, #Foodie Friday, Real Food Recipe Roundup, Gluten-Free Tuesdays, Tasty Tuesdays!*
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eat good 4 life says
So healthy looking. I love any quinoa recipe. I like the contrast in color and texture of the sesame seeds in this recipe. What a great recipe!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! I adore anything sesame and love that I got my hands on some black seeds!
Sarah Pie says
Yum! I love sesame oil on noodles and salads, I never thought to add it to quinoa though 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It goes perfect with everything! 😉
purelytwins says
mmm this sounds perfect to have with dinner
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
A perfect side dish for sure 😉
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma) says
That looks amazing! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share this week! Its LIVE!
Cindy
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Cindy!
Diane Balch says
I so agree… it is Summer until the end of Sept. And then after two months I’ll be tired of pumpkin. Love this light and healthy recipe. Pinning. Thanks for visiting Weekend Bites on Friday.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Diane 🙂 Pumpkin has it’s time…and it’s coming!
Lauren @SprinkledIn says
I never knew that fact about sesame oil. Thanks for mentioning it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It is a very sensitive oil! Haha!
Patti says
Hi Rebecca,
This pic really caught my eye on the SITS Sharefest. I have some quinoa I bought for a black bean salad and now I’m excited to try it with broccoli. Thanks for the great recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Patti! Have fun cooking with quinoa!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says
It looks beautiful!! I am definitely trying this! I really need to start cooking with quinoa more. Thanks for sharing it with us at Foodie Fridays…pinning right now!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Quinoa is the perfect grain! Get cooking girl 😉
Hayley @ Hay In A Day says
Sounds like a tasty, fresh dish. I would love it for dinner tonight actually! #Recipeoftheweek
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Then you should totally make it 😉
Honest Mum says
Just stunning! I love quinoa but husband isn’t a fan so not had it in ages, will now though! Thanks for linking up to #tastytuesdays x
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Don’t let him stop you!
Deborah Davis says
Hi Rebecca,
I just hopped by from Gluten Free Fridays to experience your healthy and delicious Sesame Broccoli Quinoa.
What a satisfying comfort food!! I can’t wait to try this recipe. I am sharing this ! All the best, Deborah
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Deborah!
You will so love it 😉
Lisa D says
I’ve tried a couple recipes using Quinoa. I cant wait to try this one since it looks a lot more flavorful that the others I’ve tried. Thanks for sharing. Come visit sometime.
Lisa
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Quinoa is such a great “grain” (psuedograin!) Have fun playing around with the flavors you pair it with! Quinoa goes great with anything!
Kierston says
I may need to give Quinoa another try 😛
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
You don’t like quinoa!?
Marla says
Great recipe Rebecca! I love broccoli and this looks delicious. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. I have pinned & twitted.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Marla 🙂
Faith VanderMolen says
Tahini is my favorite flavor right now. I used to find it too salty/bitter and now I can’t get enough! I’ve been using it as a salad dressing with some fresh lemon juice. This quinoa looks fantastic!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’ve still only ever used tahini in my favorite raw beet noodle salad, but have been adding it as an addition to some random dinner bowl messes too!
Erica Brooks says
Hello from Thursday Favorite Things hop. I agree there is a lot of pumpkin recipes popping up already. I prefer all season recipes personally for healthy eating year round. This looks delicious.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Erica 🙂 I have no qualms with pumpkin all the time though 😉
Kelli @HungryHobby says
I couldn’t wait I’m guilty of being through 2 cans of pumpkin already! lol so guilty… pictures look great I’m pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s okay…..I’m cracking open my first can tomorrow….I have a new pumpkin recipe brewing in my head….it can wait no longer!
Nikki Vergakes says
Mmmmm this looks so goood and is making me crave quinoa and chinese food!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Every Chinese place should add quinoa to their menu 😉
Meredith says
LOL about saving the pumpkin recipes for later. This is making me wish it were dinnertime though. LOVE these flavors!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
No shame in a savory breakfast 😉 … or even dessert, haha!
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
Yum! This looks delicious! I’m actually not a big asian food fan – but stir fries are always a winner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I always go through phases with ethnic cuisines! Mexican then Indian then Asian, it’s always changing!
Yaitza says
Looks delish! I love sesame seeds and green onions on My Asian food as well. FYI Doing our yearly pumpkin patch this weekend lol
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I haven’t been to a pumpkin patch in….years! I don’t think we even bought a real pumpkin last year :/ Sad times!
Heather says
Do you ever use salt?
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, no! I never use added salt! If you eat a balanced, healthy diet, you get enough naturally!
Chrystal @ YUM eating says
As much as I love pumpkin, I can’t even think about starting a new round of recipes yet. I am pretty excited for pumpkin season though!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I have seen more pumpkin recipes these last 2 weeks than I have all last season! I swear!
Natalie says
Yummy yum yum! I completely agree about water chestnuts, and so beautiful and green too 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! A little green always elevates a dish 😉
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Sesames are the best! I’ll have this… and pumpkin for dessert. Hahahaha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Hahaha, yes, the best of both worlds 😉
Pure Grace Farms says
Your dish looks amazing as always and I love the black sesame seeds, one of my favorites. Yum!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you 🙂
They are so cool 😛 Total foodie must-have!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables says
yum! I love sesame oil!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The best oil! (Besides coconut, haha!)
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
I agree- sesame oil is so delicious and a little goes a long way. This looks so good!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
My little bottle lasts so long! (Money saving oil for sure!)
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
This looks delicious!! I love water chestnuts too! Every time I made a salad in the cafeteria when I lived in the dorms, I always put water chestnuts on the salad to give it that extra crunch!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
They rock my world! They are the perfect “crunch” addition!
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
Oh this looks fantastic. I have white sesame seeds and honestly never remember to use them.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I forget I have them too, but then when I see them I always go on a sesame streak and use them in like every dish!
Emily @My Healthyish Life says
My favorite Asian dish is a beef and broccoli stir fry! This looks delicious…and you take great food pics 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’ve had that before…many many MANY years ago!
(Broccoli in any Chinese take-out is so good!)
Haha, and thank you 😉 XOXO