QUINOA, PUMPKIN & BEEF STEW

I FINALLY got my man to eat quinoa and I am just so ecstatic. Turns out all I had to do was cook beef mince with quinoa and he became interested. After numerous recipes of quinoa salads, quinoa in soup and (failed) quinoa in porridge I finally found a recipe that Chris could get on board with.

This recipe was inspired from a Peruvian Quinoa Lamb recipe that I perused in one of my many cooking magazines / books / websites. It is packed with protein, filling and helps me to say so long to winter with one last comfort meal. And for once in my house I don’t have to eat the quinoa dish for days on end as I have someone helping me to devour it!

INGREDIENTS

• 250g quinoa, soaked in water for 2 hours (make sure you change the water at least once throughout this time)
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1 medium leek, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 500g extra lean beef mince
• 350g pumpkin, skin removed and cut into even 3-4cm pieces
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 3 cups (750ml) beef stock or water 
• sea salt & pepper
• Optional- a handful of fresh parsley or sage, roughly chopped

COOKING 

1. After the quinoa has been soaked, drain well. Heat coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat and add leek and garlic. Cook, stirring often, for 2-3 minutes or until the leek has softened but is not brown. 

2. Add the beef, salt & pepper and rosemary to the pan and stir, breaking up any lumps in the mince that may occur with a strong spoon. When the beef has browned add the pumpkin pieces and stir for 2 minutes to combine, then pour the quinoa and stock / water into the pan and bring to the boil. 

3. After the liquid has boiled, reduce the heat to a low simmer and cover, cooking for 7-8 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked (you will be able to see the little white cuticles in the quinoa if it is cooked; in addition, the liquid in the pan will be almost all absorbed) and the pumpkin is just tender. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or sage and serve warm. 

Serves / 4 

Total Preparation time / 2 hours 12 minutes 

Total Cooking time / 20 minutes 

x Emily