em + the kitchen - quinoa fried rice.

Since moving in with my roommate, we've encouraged one another in developing healthier habits and have embarked on several of them together. We started "competing" in a 25 yoga classes in 30 days challenge - she's totally winning that one. We took a gardening class together. We have plans to start digging into the book of James together. And our fridge and countertops are constantly loaded with fresh produce.

For Lent, she decided she wanted to go without meat on Fridays, so I've inconsistently joined her in that. We ventured to Spiral Diner (shockingly good!) and I started a Meatless Mondays board on Pinterest. This is one of many veggie-friendly recipes that I've pinned and I'm in love with it.
It's a play on fried rice - and vaguely tastes like it - but quinoa has such an interesting flavor on it's own, that it's hard to pass it off as anything else. Also, this recipe made at least 6 servings, so I was eating healthy all week.

Quinoa "Fried Rice"
(recipe adapted from here)

2 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 eggs, beaten
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 large onion, diced
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
1 zucchini, chopped
1/2 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup frozen peas
2 carrots, grated (I cut mine into ribbons)
3 cups cooked quinoa
1/2 tsp powdered ginger (or 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger)
3 tbsp soy sauce
chopped green onions for garnish (optional)
Sriracha (optional)

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large skillet and make scrambled eggs. Set aside in small bowl to be added back in later.
Using the same skillet, heat remaining tbsp olive oil. Add garlic and onion, sauteing until onion is translucent.
Next, add mushrooms, broccoli, and zucchini, stirring until veggies are tender, about 3-4 minutes.
Then, add corn, peas, carrots, and quinoa. Stir constantly until veggies are thawed and mixed in well, about 2 minutes.
Add ginger and soy sauce, stirring until everything is completely coated.
Remove from heat, add scrambled eggs and mix together.
Serve immediately with extra soy sauce and Sriracha if so desired.

Happy meatless Monday! Have you jumped on this bandwagon yet?
-e.