photo by wholesomegal.com
Even though it was around 85 yesterday and stinkn’ muggy out, I really wanted a “comfort” dish for dinner…..well, what better than a casserole! So I used Quinoa as my base for this casserole – It really adds lightness to dishes. I tossed together a simple Arugula Salad that just had olive oil and fig balsamic vinegar in it-so amazingly good! Then I paired it with some nice cold Pinot Grigio with Lemon Verbena leaves in it that I plucked from my garden. Fantastic comfort dinner for summer!
Even though I didn’t aim to do so…..this is a really good “figure friendly” dish to make. There’s none of the ingredients that you normally would find in a casserole like canned cream-of-mushroom or chicken, mayo, sour cream, etc…So incorporate this dish in with your weekly meals and suffer no guilt!
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casserole…not just for winter. try my light summer version! Recipe
By Published: July 3, 2012
- Prep: 20 min mins
- Cook: 30 min mins
- Ready In: 50 mins
This comforting casserole is so light, tasty, and super figure friendly! There's no cream-of-mushroom or mayo or sour cream in this dish! Just 3 simple ingredients- Quinoa, Broccoli, Cheddar Cheese!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 Cups Quinoa
- 3 Cups water
- 1 head broccoli steams and head chopped in bite sized pieces
- 1 block sharp cheddar cheese grated
- 1/2 block sharp cheddar cheese *this is extra for on top of casserole-grated
- 2 1/2 tsp dried tarragon
- 1 1/2 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 1 Tbsp sea salt *taste to add more if like
- 1 Tbsp pepper
- tomatoes use whatever is in season and chop up & serve on top
- 3 stalks green onions thinly slice and serve on top of casserole
- arugula toss in whatever olive oil and balsamic vinegar of your prefrence-s&p
Instructions
- bring Quinoa and water to a boil then cover and simmer. TIP to cooking quinoa- LET IT BE! Don't keep stirring it, just let it do it's thing.
- chop up broccoli & tomatoes. grate block of cheddar cheese.
- boil water on stove for the broccoli-let broccoli boil for 10 min. Drain.
- mix EVERYTHING in casserole dish: quinoa, cooked broccoli, cheese, tarragon, dijon mustard, s+p. Grate 1/2 block of cheddar cheese on top.
- TIP: i use Tarragon in anything that has broccoli in it, especially cream of broccoli soup! It really elevates the flavors. I also use it in any omelet I make (i learned that little secret from one of my favorite restaurants!)
- put into oven at 400 degrees - for 30 min until cheese is completely melted on top
- my Pampered Chef casserole dish i love! thanks dad & leanne!!!
- wash your arugula-dry-and just toss in some olive oil, and balsamic vinegar, s+p. I usually use balsamic glaze, but I also have this fantastic fig flavored balsamic that really adds a sweetness. belive me, you'll enjoy any salad with just flavored oils and vinegars!!
- serve casserole topped with fresh, in-season tomatoes, chopped green onions and your salad.
- yum
- eat with no guilt