LIGHT & EASY QUINOA RISOTTO

4 servings, 20-30 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed

• 2 cups water

• 1/4 tsp turmeric powder

• Juice of half a lemon

• Salt & pepper to taste

• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 1/2 cups veggie broth

• 1 tbsp ghee

• 1 leek, rinsed and chopped

• 3 stalks celery, chopped

• 1/2 cup green peas (frozen is fine - optional - omit if vata)

• 1 tsp dried thyme leaves

• 2-3 dashes of red pepper flakes (omit if pitta)

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Fresh parsley and extra lemon juice for serving

• Steamed broccolini or kale for serving

5-minute steamed broccolini

• 1 bunch of broccolini

• 1 tbsp ghee

• Salt & pepper to taste

• Dash of red pepper flakes

• Tiny pinch of asafoetida powder

• Drizzle of olive oil

• Fresh lemon juice for topping

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the lentil puree: Add the red lentils, water, and turmeric to a medium pot over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, simmer until the red lentils are soft (about 15-20 minutes). Add salt, pepper, olive oil, and 1/2 cup of veggie broth once done. Mash together into a puree using a potato masher.

2. While that is cooking: heat the ghee over medium heat in a medium pot. Add the leeks and celery. Heat until leeks are soft (about 2-3 minutes). Add the green peas, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, and quinoa. Add the broth and salt, bring to a boil, the reduce to simmer. Allow to simmer until the quinoa is soft (15-20 minutes).

3. Once the quinoa is cooked, stir in the red lentil puree. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Top with fresh parsley and lemon juice. Top with steamed veggies.

4. 5-minute steamed broccolini:  Add broccolini to a medium pan over medium heat with 2 tbsp water. Cover and allow to steam (3-5 minutes). Remove cover, add ghee, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, asafoetida, and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes. Drizzle with lemon and olive oil and serve.

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Notes

• Overall, good for all doshas when consumed in the cold winter/ fall months. BUT if pitta, omit the red pepper flakes - other than that it is pretty good.

• A comforting warm meal on cold nights - no it is not one pot, because you cook the lentils and veggies separately, but it is very easy and good for weeknights. Even my 1-year-old ate it!