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Quinoa, spinach, and roasted tomatoes are combined with pesto and mozzarella and stuffed into portobello mushroom caps.
Light, lean and lick the plate clean. If you're ready to treat yourself to a delicious, super good-for-you lunch or dinner, you are most definitely at the right place!
Quinoa*, fresh spinach and roasted grape tomatoes are combined with a bit of pesto, fresh mozzarella, and toasted pine nuts. The whole works is stuffed into meaty portobello mushroom caps for a delightful meal on its own or a side that pairs perfectly with meat, fish or poultry. A shower of fresh basil adds a whisper of summer to a dish that's already bursting with flavor.
Try it, I think you'll love it! Don't be surprised if your whole body starts smiling from all the wonderful epicurean delights you're treating it to!
- Ingredients
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes halved
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 large portobello mushrooms
- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Sea salt and ground pepper to taste
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- ½ teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- pinch sea salt or kosher salt
- 1 cup quinoa* I used Trader Joe's organic tri-color variety
- 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons pesto purchased or homemade
- 4 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
- 4 ounces fresh mozzarella cut into small pieces
- ¼ cup fresh basil finely chopped
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Preheat oven to 400˚F. Line two sheet pans with foil and spray with cooking spray.
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Toss tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, ground coriander, salt and pepper. Place on one of the prepared sheet pans and roast in oven for 18-20 minutes or until slightly shriveled and until most of the liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool.
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Break off mushroom stems and wipe the caps with a damp paper towel. Dry the caps and drizzle very lightly on both sides with olive oil, then rub to coat with your fingers. Sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper. Place the mushrooms with open cavity facing up on the other sheet pan. Roast for 5-8 minutes or until beginning to soften.
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Remove from pan and place mushrooms open cavity side down, on several thicknesses of paper towels to drain off excess liquid.
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Combine chicken broth and quinoa in a medium size pan. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. Cook 10-12 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
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Remove cover and quickly add chopped spinach. Cover again; set aside for 5 minutes. Spinach will wilt from the heat of the quinoa. After 5 minutes add pesto and stir well. Add roasted tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cubes and stir gently to combine. Add extra sea salt and pepper to taste.
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Scoop up quinoa mixture with a ½ cup measuring cup. Place one scoop into the cavity of each mushroom cap. Mound with your hands so mixture is a bit higher in the center. Bake at 400˚F for approximately 8-10 minutes or until warmed through and cheese is melted. Remove from oven divide among 6 plates. Sprinkle with fresh basil and toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately.
The Café Sucré Farine says
I'm so glad you enjoyed these. Thanks for making the time to leave a comment!
wilson56 says
Chris, I made these for dinner Saturday evening and they are divine!! Thank you for sharing!!