Aromatic ginger and garlic feature with orange and a touch of cilantro, making this healthy and hearty Ginger-Orange Scented Quinoa a delight for the senses! #ElevateYourPlate @MyDorot
Spring has Sprung!!
I’m super excited for the flavors of Spring! Orange, ginger, garlic, cilantro – all fresh flavors that really pop – especially when combined.
I know quinoa is trendy (or has it been replaced by kale? Or something else buzz-worthy?), but it’s still a staple in my house. I like the rainbow kinds, or ones that have extra stuff in it for texture, color or interest. My favorite is one that has red and white quinoa, plus millet and buckwheat. This recipe works with any quinoa or quinoa blend, though.
The best part of this recipe, seriously, is the lack of chopping. You can have this on the table in less than 30 minutes (sides and main protein, too). Want to know my secret? Of course you do! It’s Dorot pre-portioned frozen cubes of chopped ginger, garlic and cilantro. Pop them right into the water/orange juice used to cook the quinoa, and then breathe in the aromatic goodness! Super easy and convenient – forget the chopping! I seriously couldn’t stop eating this quinoa. The Dorot cubes really kicked up the flavor.
This Ginger-Orange Scented Quinoa is a great side for any kind of protein, I’ve paired it here with grilled salmon, and another side of green beans. Want to grab a fork? Yeah… me too.
I LOVE the convenience of having these ready to pop into a recipe. I have the entire range – basil goes into a marinara sauce, cilantro into southwestern food, and ginger and garlic are just staples that go with pretty much anything. I used to keep ginger root in the freezer and just grate it into whatever, but … the Dorot cubes take 2 seconds, and no dishes. A 2 year life in the freezer (lol – as if it will last that long).
So, how does it compare to fresh?
Because Dorot pulls fresh from the fields, processes and flash freezes into convenient trays within 90 minutes of harvest, it tastes just as fresh as if you had grated or minced it yourself. These little cubes eliminate chopping and measuring, making it effortless to season and flavor your cooking. Plus, ya know – no preservatives or artificial ingredients. Also, raw, vegan, kosher, halal, non-GMO, gluten -free, dairy-free, nut-free and soy-free. Woohoo!
Where do I find them?
Head to Whole Foods! (you’ll find the ingredients for the entire recipe there, too!) You’ll find them with the frozen vegetables.
Conversions – just FYI
Crushed Garlic: 1 cube = 1 garlic clove
Crushed Ginger: 1 cube = 1 teaspoon
Chopped Cilantro: 1 cube = 1 teaspoon
Ingredients
- 1 Tbs butter
- 1/2 cup red onion diced finely
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup fresh orange juice
- 1 cup quinoa
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 4 cubes Dorot crushed ginger
- 4 cubes Dorot crushed garlic
- 2 cubes Dorot chopped cilantro
OPTIONAL
- 1/4 cup blanched toasted, sliced almonds
- chopped fresh cilantro
- orange zest
Pin for later?
We also use quinoa a lot.
Orange and ginger flavours would have given amazing taste to this dish, yum?
I’m just beginning to get my family into Quinoa. They dont’ seem to warm up to it yet. Love this flavor of orange and ginger.
I love cooking quinoa. The texture is so awesome, and the nutty flavour so delicious. These little frozen cubes are the best. I love that you have NO waste…and they are ready and waiting for you.
This looks beautiful!
I bet those garlic, ginger and cilantro cubes come in handy. This sounds really delicious, I love the ginger + orange flavor combo.
The cubes are a great idea. We usually just use a paste such as ginger garlic paste.
Another flavorful quinoa recipe to add to the list. Ginger and Orange must be such a great combination.
Spring sure has a way of sending us into new culinary territory – things that haven’t been made in months end up on my table! Light, bright, fresh – those are the flavors I think of at Spring … far cry from heavy, hearty and warming of Winter dishes.
I’ve been looking for new ways to experiment with quinoa. This looks pretty and sounds delicious.
I’m doubly excited about this! First to discover Dorot herbs…so easy to use with no waste. Second for this recipe! I can’t wait to make it.
Love these fresh ginger orange scented quinoa also those pre portioned frozen ginger garlic paste. Without ginger garlic paste I don’t know how to cook.
I love those cute little ginger, garlic and cilantro cubes. I hate peeling garlic and ginger and this would be a blessing to use in the recipes. What a great recipe with Quinoa. Love the flavors that you have in there. I can’t wait to begin to enjoy the spring!
You got me at fresh ginger. I just love that flavor it is so perfect for so many meals. And that quinoa I can imagine has a wonderful taste and makes a perfect pairing with any protein. Yummy!
The quinoa sounds so delicious and flavorful. I love using Dorot as they make herbs so handy at home and easy to use.
I do add oranges to my quinoa when I cook it – both the zest and the peel (and removes the latter after cooking!). It sure adds freshness and a yummy citrus goodness to the dish! Love this!
Ginger and orange are a great combination, this quinoa dish must be so tasty. Nothing wrong with using frozen cubes, they can actually bring so much flavour and you know you never throw away unused stuff, like it might happen with the fresh one. Indeed, a perfect side dish!
When I gave up rice and pasta a few years ago I turned to quinoa for my comfort food. That and farro. I can eat pasta again without it hurting my stomach but I have grown to love quinoa so much! This is an amazing side dish and one that I would love to have leftovers so I can scarf some for breakfast before my workout.
Kylee, this sounds like a perfect dish for my vegetarians. I cannot express in words how much John.e loves quinoa. I noticed the orange zest was optional, but good Lord, why? LOL. I love how much flavour citrus fruit zest leaves. I’ll be adding the zest to mine, for sure!
I’m using quinoa a lot lately, and I’m always looking for new recipes to try. I love ginger and addition of orange juice in this quinoa. Sounds so flavorful and surely looks delicious.
Such wonderful flavors I love them all. This sounds amazing I’ve pinned this so I’ll give it a try. I also have never used the flavored cubes before. So, that will also be on my list to try. Thanks for the recipe 🙂