Larder Love

The best preserving recipes plus easy cooking and baking too

  • ALL RECIPES
    • PRESERVES & LARDER
    • COOKING & BAKING
    • COLLECTIONS & CUISINES
  • TIPS & TRICKS
  • MY COOKBOOKS
  • HOME HINTS
  • ABOUT
    • CONTACT ME
    • PRIVACY
Home » Main Dishes » Quick And Healthy Asparagus and Quinoa Risotto

Quick And Healthy Asparagus and Quinoa Risotto

By Karon Grieve Leave a Comment

Scroll To Recipe Print Recipe

Deliciously tender juicy asparagus pairs beautifully with quinoa in this super-healthy vegetarian version of a comfort food risotto.

asparagus and quinoa risotto

Asparagus and Quinoa Risotto

Oh dear, I dread to think what Italians would think of this asparagus quinoa risotto, using quinoa instead of that gorgeous creamy risotto rice, treachery at least!

But let’s not think about what others think and just go right ahead and make our risotto with quinoa if we want to, and I do today.

What is quinoa?

Quinoa is a grain and a super healthy one too. There was a huge foodie fad about it a few years ago and I got right into it as I was on a real health kick at the time.

Unlike a lot of ‘healthy’ foods I embraced at the time this one has stuck, I love the taste of quinoa and have used it in lots of ways, even in my super healthy porridge!

bundle of asparagus spears

Gotta love risotto

I love the whole comfort foodiness of risotto, the creamy texture, the flavours, the fact that you can put anything in there and make it your very own signature dish, it fits the time, it fits the moment.

While this asparagus quinoa risotto doesn’t have that rich creaminess you get from proper risotto rice it does give you the concept of risotto and when you are trying to be a bit healthy every little nod towards your favourite comfort foods helps.

Actually, there is something about food in a bowl that is so comforting, soups, many Asian dishes, stews. It’s like being thrown back to your childhood, safety, comfort, warmth.

table top shot of bowl of asparagus risotto with glass of water

Ingredients for this risotto

I’m using asparagus, peas and mint in this quinoa-based risotto. What could be more spring-into-summer, all that gorgeous greenery and fresh zingy taste.

Making this

It’s a one-pot wonder dish that comes together in less than half an hour start to finish. Easy to make and hardly any washing up, result!

While I may well call any sort of risotto comfort food this also sings of freshness and summer and with the quinoa being lighter than normal risotto it is really summer comfort food. Come on sometimes you need a foodie hug even in summer!

larder links

Looking for more quick and easy vegetarian midweek meals? Then check these out before you go;

Moroccan spiced stuffed aubergine/eggplant

Frittata with mint spinach and feta

30 minute squash and orzo traybake

Greek-style vegetarian stuffed peppers

Easy pumpkin and sage risotto

Chickpea gnocchi with tomato and pesto

Finally, if you do try this simple asparagus and quinoa risotto recipe don’t forget to leave a star rating/comment below. Want more Larder Love? Then follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest and sign up for my newsletter too of course.

asparagus and quinoa risotto

Asparagus and quinoa risotto

Karon
An easy recipe for asparagus quinoa risotto packed with the flavours of summer sunshine, comfort food at any time of year.
No ratings yet
Print Recipe Leave Comment Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Course risotto
Cuisine Italian
Servings 1 person
Calories 428 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 1/2 cup quinoa rinsed thoroughly
  • 1 cup of vegetable stock
  • 6 asparagus spears with ends trimmed off and chopped
  • 1/2 cup frozen or fresh peas
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tbsp grated parmesan
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Bring the quinoa in stock to a boil, lower heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes
  • Add the asparagus and cook for a further 5 minutes
  • Drain any excess water, add mint and parmesan and seasoning and cook for a further 2 minutes
  • Serve with a knob of butter on top if you want to make it creamy

Notes

Remember to rinse the quinoa thoroughly till water runs clear.
You can use courgette/zucchini instead of asparagus here.
Make this a 'normal' risotto by using rice instead of quinoa

Nutrition

Calories: 428kcalCarbohydrates: 73gProtein: 20gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 1028mgPotassium: 849mgFiber: 12gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1993IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 149mgIron: 7mg
Keyword easy vegetarian, quinoa risotto
Tried this recipe?Mention @LarderLove or tag #LarderLove

PIN ME FOR LATER

asparagus and quinoa risotto pin image

 

 

Filed Under: ALL RECIPES, Main Dishes, Meals For One, Vegetarian Recipes

« Lemon And Thyme Summer Thyme Liqueur
Strawberry and Basil Pesto Dessert Sauce »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Karon Grieve

SEARCH MY SITE

Follow Larder Love

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

BUY MY BOOKS

Karon Grieve books
my foodgawker gallery

Follow Larder Love

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Privacy Policy & Disclaimers

 

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright Karon Grieve - Larder Love © 2018. All Rights Reserved.