This protein-packed dish is
fabulously light but has flavor that certainly holds its own as a meal.
It also makes a great side dish paired with almost anything.
Gluten-free
Serves: 2 meal; 4 side.
Want the vegetarian version? Replace the shrimp with 2 cups (500 mL) of rinsed and drained, canned soybeans.
Don’t have fresh herbs?
Nothing
beats fresh ingredients, but if you don't have fresh herbs simply add 2
tsp (10mL) of each dried basil and thyme instead.
Add the dry herbs the same time you add the cream to the saucepan.
½ cup (125 mL) quinoa
1 cup (250 mL) water
1 cup (250 mL) half & half cream
½ tsp (2 mL) Worcestershire sauce (or use Braggs Liquid seasoning if you want gluten-free)
½ cup (125 mL) white cooking wine
2 Tbsp (30 mL) fresh chopped sweet basil
2 Tbsp (30 mL) fresh chopped thyme
2/3 cup (160 mL) Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp (15 mL) vegetable oil
1 cup (250 mL) white onion, finely chopped (about 1 medium onion)
1 tsp (5 mL) fresh chopped garlic (about 2 cloves)
1 large red pepper, diced
1 lb (500g) cooked shrimp, shelled and thawed
½ cup (125 mL) raw, unsalted pumpkin seeds
salt, to taste
Place the quinoa and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the
heat to low and cook for 10 minutes. Turn the heat off and leave the saucepan on the burner
for another 4 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff the cooked quinoa with fork. Set aside.
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the cream, Worcestershire
sauce and wine. Slowly heat for 4 minutes. Add the Parmesan cheese, basil and thyme.
Continue to simmer on low for an additional 3 minutes.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the
red pepper and garlic and continue to cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the onion is opaque
and tender. Add the shrimp, cooked quinoa and pumpkin seeds. Sauté until heated throughout.
Evenly divide the hot mixture between two large pasta bowls or dinner plates. Top with the
simmering Parmesan sauce. Serve and devour immediately.
Looking for additional flavor? Add an extra clove of garlic and an extra shot or two of
Worcestershire. And don’t be shy with the fresh herbs! Veggie lover? If you want even more
vegetables, add as many as you like to this dish.
