Chinese takeout was a weekly staple in our house when I was a kid. We always had a favorite spot that changed as our tastes and the restaurants themselves changed. Whether Dad picked it up on his way home from work, we stopped after school, or we made a special trip, those meals are fond memories.
The table would be full of those iconic white containers. White rice, fried rice, egg rolls, won ton soup, sweet and sour chicken (sauce on the side), lo mein. One place even made fried won ton chips. I sometimes have dreams about those chips!
I swear the food never bothered me. I could load my plate, eat until I was satisfied, and not feel it the next day. Now, I have a food hangover and am salt swollen for days if I so much as look at it. But that doesn’t mean my cravings have gone away, and it doesn’t mean they can’t be satisfied.
To quell those cravings, I whipped up Vegetable Fried Quinoa. Not only is this healthy, gluten free, vegan, and low sodium, it totally reminded me of the fried rice I grew up with in both smell and taste. I wanted to up the nutritional value, so I added mushrooms, carrots, onions, garlic, and kale (my favorite). Balsamic vinegar adds that umami flavor without adding any salt, while Sriracha adds spice and that classic fried rice flavor. It was actually the first time I tried Sriracha and I am not addicted to it and this fried quinoa – and you will be too!
Vegetable Fried Quinoa
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- ½ Vidalia onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 4 carrots, chopped
- 12 cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups kale, chopped
- 3 cups cooked and chilled quinoa
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Sriracha, to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon of the oil, followed by the onion and garlic. Sauté, stirring frequently, about one minute. Add the carrots and mushrooms, and continue to sauté, stirring frequently, for 5-7 minutes, until the vegetables are soft and beginning to caramelize.
- Add the other tablespoon of oil, followed by the kale and quinoa. Cook for about five minutes more, stirring less frequently to allow the quinoa to caramelize. Add the vinegar, pepper, and Sriracha, stir to coat, and cook about one minute more. Serve immediately with more Sriracha, if desired. May be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Serve cold or reheat in the microwave in 30 second increments until warmed through.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
I’m not much on Chinese but Scott loves it. Adding chicken or shrimp would be good too.
Healthy AND tasty! Love it! And yeah I agree with Debbie, some chicken or shrimp would be great!
For sure – any protein would be a great addition!
I totally get the food hangover thing with Chinese. So much MSG. But this looks wonderful!
Yes! I’m always the crazy girl that’s all no msg!
I made a quinoa fried rice last year and just bought the ingredients to make it again. Yours looks delicious!
I am so fussy about chinese food take out.
I just stick with sushi, so afraid of MSG and other chemicals in there.
I don’t eat enough quinoa!
Quinoa is a staple for me. I love making salads with it too and I always put it in my granola. I worry about all the MSG and chemicals in Chinese food too. I enjoy cooked sushi on occasion.
We love Chinese, and cook it often. So I know I’d like this. Totally love what you’ve done with quinoa here — really creative, and looks incredibly tasty. Thanks.
I always always make quinoa fried rice when I can’t think of a proper meal! So bad my hubby doesn’t like it!! lol
Thanks for visiting, Ami! I was so glad my dad liked the fried quinoa – he’s a picky eater!
I just made Chinese food at home tonight for the first time – too funny!! I’d love this dish!
Sriracha sauce is great isn’t it? Love this healthy take on Chinese food. I adore eating takeout Chinese, but hate all the water weight I put on after I eat it. This looks like a great healthy alternative!