Apple-Pork Quinoa Casserole with Green Beans

I have to admit that quinoa is a totally new ingredient for me. I've heard of it but I've never had it before. But, I got a free pack from Bob's Red Mill so I had to do something with it.
The Red Mill quinoa didn't need to be soaked before it was already pre-soaked and dried.
Here's what I put together with what was left in my freezer:

Ingredients

- 2 cups quinoa (soaked in water for 5 min then rinsed off to remove the bitter saponin) 
- 4 cups water or stock
- 2 lbs pork, cubed
- 2 small apples peeled, cored and diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- A pat of butter (optional)
- Chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper to taste

For the side (optional)

- Green beans (or any other vegetable) 
- Salt, garlic powder, onion powder, onion flakes to taste
- Oil/butter for stir-frying


Method


Preheat the oven to 400F. 


Put all the ingredients in an oven-safe pan or casserole dish. Mix well and put it in the pre-heated oven, covered for 25 min.

After 25 min, remove the cover, stir the mixture and bake uncovered for an additional 20 min.


In the meantime, heat oil/melt butter in a frying pan. Add the green beans and seasonings and fry until cooked.


Serve together. 


Verdict: The quinoa looked and tasted a little strange at first but the more we ate, the more we loved it. Even my fussy toddler, Maya loved it. Quinoa would probably go very well with liver, onions and peppers, as well as make a good nutritious filling for burritos.


Look  out for future blog posts for more recipes, or if any of my readers has suggestions or recommendations, please let me know!


Where to get the ingredients:

In the US, you should be able to get the quinoa at most grocery stores. I believe even Target and Walmart carry it. You can also get it on Amazon*

I got my organic frozen Bydee Farms green beans from my local Costco. It was about $1.99/lb which I thought was a decent price for organic beans (since the lowest price I've seen here is $0.88/lb at Sunflower Market for in-season non-organic beans)


* Disclaimer: I am an Amazon affiliate