A Lighter Quinoa Stuffing

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 8
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 cups quinoa
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 butternut squash, peeled and diced
• 2 small zucchini, cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 bunches green onions, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) can of drained black beans
• 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 1 cup dried apricot, diced
• 1 cup dried cranberries (and or or cherries)
• 1 lemon

Recipe

• 1 boil 4 cups of water, season with bay leaves and salt.
• 2 add quinoa and return to a boil.
• 3 reduce heat, cover ad simmer for about 20 minutes, until water is absorbed.
• 4 remove from heat, take out bay leaves and let cool.
• 5 meanwhile, heat 3 tbsp of oil in a frying pan.
• 6 sauté squash and zucchini-season with salt, pepper, and lemon pepper (if you have it) until slightly browned.
• 7 combine veggies and quinoa.
• 8 drizzle on remaining oil.
• 9 stir in onions parsley, mint, apricots, and cranberries, then the black beans.
• 10 grate in lemon peel and squeeze on lemon juice to taste.
• 11 season with salt and pepper to taste.