Ultimate Winter Vegetable Quinoa, A Thanksgiving Side Dish

Ultimate Winter Quinoa

Here’s a great side from Sea Glass at Inn by the Sea on the coast of Maine for Thanksgiving that is healthy, (vegan) gorgeous on the table, delicious and very trendy- also pretty easy to throw together. The best is that the next day you can add some chunks of leftover turkey and have a healthy hash- or add turkey broth and make a delicious soup. (more info and photos available.)

Ultimate Winter Vegetable Quinoa

Serving 4-6 Guests

Ingredients:

2 Cups Brussels Sprouts, cut in quarters

½ Head of Cauliflower, any color available, florets only

1 Small Butternut Squash, or Acorn Squash or Pumpkin, peeled & dice

4 Tbs. Olive Oil

4 Tbs. Toasted Almonds

¼ Cup Dried Cranberries or Raisins

4 Cups Cooked Organic Quinoa or Any type of cooked Rice or Couscous

1 Cup Apple Cider

1 Large Handful of Fresh Spinach or Kale

Kosher Salt and Pepper

Add olive oil, Brussels & Cauliflower into a hot cast iron skillet. Brown, 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until caramelized. Add diced Butternut Squash and stir, cooking another 3 minutes. Season with salt & pepper and add the cooked quinoa or cooked rice, Cider, Almonds and Cranberries, cook another 2 minutes and check seasoning.

Serve hot.

Enjoy as a healthy and colorful vegan side for Thanksgiving- then add chunks of leftover turkey for a great meal after Thanksgiving.

This dish will be on the lunch menu in Sea Glass this winter.

Executive Chef Mitchell Kaldrovich

Sea Glass Restaurant / Inn by the Sea, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

www.innbythesea.com 207-799-3134

About Inn by the Sea: Located on sandy Crescent Beach, just 7 miles from Portland’s urban chic small port city, Inn by the Sea is Maine’s premier beach destination and the state’s only Virtuoso® and Preferred Boutique® property, offering guests personalized service, luxury accommodations in 61 suites and rooms, intimate ocean view dining in Sea Glass, and a full service Silver LEED® certified SPA. Selected one of the Best 50 resorts in the US by Travel & Leisure in 2012, and Top Ten Green Hotels worldwide by Tripadvisor.