I actually jogged outside today with shorts and a tank top on – yay for nicer weather! Spring is almost here and I’m so ready for this season’s fresh produce. I actually couldn’t wait any longer and spontaneously grabbed a huge bunch of asparagus the other weekend. It all ended up going in this lovely red quinoa dish along with chickpeas, red peppers, toasted almonds, and a yummy lemon goat cheese dressing. Apolinaras said this was my best quinoa dish so far and I think it was because you get some goat cheese goodness in every bite!
Quinoa with Chickpeas, Asparagus, and Lemon Goat Cheese Dressing
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
2 large red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 2-inch long pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch long pieces
2 1/2 cups quinoa (1 1-pound box of red quinoa from Trader Joe’s)
5 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 red onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup chopped toasted almonds
Juice of 1 lemon
6 ounces goat cheese
Directions:
Heat oven to 400˚F. Place bell peppers on a large cookie sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Roast at 400˚F for 8 minutes, then add asparagus, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix well, and roast 12 minutes or until tender.
Meanwhile, place quinoa and chicken broth in a large stockpot over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 10 to 15 minutes or until all water is absorbed and quinoa is soft.
Place remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and onion in a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium high heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender; add garlic and cook one additional minute.
Stir cooked onions, asparagus and red peppers, chickpeas, and almonds in the large stockpot with the quinoa and mix well. Stir lemon juice and goat cheese together in a small bowl and mix well with the quinoa. Makes 8 servings.
Nutrition: 538 calories, 21.8g fat, 11.8g fiber, 21.8g protein per serving
Cost: $2.08 per serving
just so happens that I have ALL of these ingredients on hand. hello dinner!
I’ve been having a serious quinoa craving lately. This dish looks so bright and fresh for spring!
A beautiful presentation, and the dish looks fantastic, great combination of ingredients, and loving the lemon goat cheese dressing here.
gotta love anything with goat cheese. great dish and yay for warmth!
fabulous. we must’ve been on the same wavelength, b/c i made something remarkably similar… quinoa, chickpeas, steamed asparagus, sundried tomatoes and feta with a meyer lemon/tahini dressing
i, however, didn’t manage a picture! now i’m craving it again 
Goat cheese is always a winning ingredient for me so this is a winner. I’ve been seeing quinoa on a lot of blogs again and now I’m thinking it may be time for some in my lunchbox. Nice!
Yay for good running weather! It’s actually a bit too hot to run here today…but hopefully it’ll be just perfect in Boston on monday! I love the sound of this salad…goat cheese in every bite is just perfect in my opinion!
Quinoa rocks. I love seeing how others prepare it, gives me more ideas. This looks so fresh and delicious!
Yum! This looks delicious!! Love the spring flavors.
This sounds so good! I’m not a fan of chickpeas but I’m sure I can find a substitute. The goat cheese just puts this over the top. Yay to nice weather!!
This sounds perfectly spring-like. I really enjoy chickpeas!
Perfect salad! This is exactly my type of dish!
i was ALMOST tempted to run outside yesterday, but i talked myself out of it. winter has made me lazy.
on a more jolly note, this is a stellar side dish! the dressing is oh-so-enticing.
I have asparagus on hand and goat cheese…hmmm! Thanks for the inspiration!
beautiful presentation and I love the sound of goat cheese ANYTHING!
Lemon Goat Cheese Dressing? That sounds out of this world! There have been a lot of chickpeas around the blogosphere lately…I love. They’re definitely a favorite of mine
I am jogging outdoors after work today…I can’t wait! Spring! Spring! Spring!
Perfect flavor combination! I’m so excited for spring and summer local produce.enjoy your thursday
The lemon goat cheese dressing just sealed the deal for me…yum!
i just started eating quinoa. finding out how good it is for you–did you know it has all 7 amino acids in it? i did not and that is one of the many reasons i started to eat it. so, i’m looking for ways to cook with it. it does need dressing up lol
(thanks for adding me as a link, i did the same for you)
what cooking contests are you going after this summer? i need to get back into that….again.
have a good wknd.
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Thanks everyone!
Shannon – Mmm, a lemon tahini dressing sounds amazing!
Dawn – I don’t think there are too many big ones this summer, which is nice because I’m ready for a break!