A vibrant rhythmic dance of colours and textures in a deep serving bowl. A base of warm, fluffy quinoa tinted shades of red from the tomatoes and spices, specked with green okras and bell peppers, subtly dusted with smoked paprika. Topped off with a garnish of fresh basil leaves and a scattering of roasted peanuts for an enticing crunch. The dish is surrounded by fresh ingredients, capturing a sense of freshness and authenticity.

Twisted Jollof Quinoa & Okra Medley

Name: Twisted Jollof Quinoa & Okra Medley
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: African
Ingredients: quinoa, 1 cup rinsed; vegetable broth, 2 cups; okra, 1 cup ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces; medium red bell pepper, 1 diced; medium onion, 1 finely chopped; garlic cloves, 2 minced; cherry tomatoes, 1 cup halved; olive oil, 2 tbsp; cumin, 1 tsp; smoked paprika, 1 tsp; coriander, 1/2 tsp ground; salt and black pepper, to taste; fresh basil leaves, a handful for garnish; roasted peanuts, 1/4 cup for garnish

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Style African

Technique Sautéing

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: September 09, 2023

Buckling up for an experimental gastronomic journey, we take inspiration from African cuisine and put a creative twist to it with this vegetarian dish. Known for its richness, depth, and flavorful diversity, we focus on key seasonal ingredients such as okra, bell peppers, and a delicate balance of spices to stay authentic and exciting.

Ingredients (for 2)

Quinoa - 1 cup - rinsed
Vegetable broth - 2 cups
Okra - 1 cup - ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
Medium red bell pepper - 1 - diced
Medium onion - 1 - finely chopped
Garlic cloves - 2 - minced
Cherry tomatoes - 1 cup - halved
Olive oil - 2 tbsp
Cumin - 1 tsp
Smoked paprika - 1 tsp
Coriander - 1/2 tsp - ground
Salt and black pepper - to taste
Fresh basil leaves - a handful - for garnish
Roasted peanuts - 1/4 cup - for garnish

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍳🧅🧄

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic to the pan, sauté until fragrant and golden.
Step 2 - 🌶️🥦🌶️

Add in the bell pepper, okra, spices, salt, and pepper, cook until the vegetables are slightly tender.
Step 3 - 🥣🧆🍲

Stir in the quinoa and vegetable broth, bring to a boil.
Step 4 - 🔥🥘⏲️

Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa is cooked and has absorbed the broth.
Step 5 - 🍅🥣🔥

Stir in the halved cherry tomatoes, let it cook for another 2-3 minutes.
Step 6 - 🥣🌱🥜

Transfer the mixture to serving bowls. Top each bowl with a handful of fresh basil leaves and a scatter of roasted peanuts. Serve warm and enjoy!

Additional

This dish is a fun way to incorporate more fiber-rich okra into your diet. While traditional Jollof rice uses long grain rice, we've used quinoa which is a great source of protein and fiber - a perfect swap for vegetarians. Feel free to swap out or add different seasonal veggies for a twist. Get your kids to help you measure the ingredients, or even help chop some veggies under your supervision for a fun kitchen activity.