Spring Fling: Quinoa with Peas, Onion & Walnuts

A wonderful hot side dish filled with the superfood quinoa, fragrant onion, spring peas, and walnuts for crunch.  Add a sprinkle of lemon juice to brighten it up and you have one fantastic side dish that goes with any main course!

Quinoa with Peas, Onion & Walnuts

I have an easy hot side dish for you.  This quick dish can be made in under 30 minutes and will go with all kinds of main courses.  Perfect to go along with beef, chicken, fish, or pork, I served this along side a grilled flank steak with a southwestern flair.  

While this does take two pans this dish is simple to throw together.  It's filled with caramelized yellow onions for flavor and spring peas which you can buy frozen for a pop or green color and a veggie addition.  I've also added some walnuts for crunch, and then doused it with some lemon juice to brighten it all up.  This is a great dish that you will want to make over and over. 

What Ingredients do I need?

• quinoa
• peas
• yellow onion
• walnuts
• garlic
• lemon

Substitutions and Variations

• Combinations: asparagus, mushroom, and green onions with pine nuts

• red bell pepper, corn, and cilantro with pepitas

• zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and basil with pine nuts

Kitchen Tips and Notes

• For more flavor cook the quinoa in chicken or vegetable broth

• While the quinoa is cooking, cook your vegetables in a skillet, then add to the cooked quinoa

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Quinoa with Peas, Onion & Walnuts

serves 6

2 cups water
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1/2 cup yellow onion, chopped

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 1/2 cups frozen peas

2 cloves garlic, minced

salt & pepper

2 Tbsp chopped walnuts

juice from 1/2 lemon

Bring water to boil in a large saucepan.  Add quinoa. Reduce heat and cover, simmering for 12-15 minutes until water is absorbed.  Remove from heat and fluff with a fork.

Meanwhile in a large skillet over medium heat add olive oil.  When hot add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally until tender and starting to brown.  About 8-10 minutes.  Add in the frozen peas and garlic.  Cook until heated through about 5 minutes.  Add the cooked quinoa to the skillet stirring to combine.  Add sat and pepper to taste.  Pour into a serving dish, add chopped walnuts and sprinkle with the juice of 1/2 a lemon.  Serve.