What started out as a simple request for breakfast pastries and a late-night treat turned in to a whirlwind weekend of family-style brunches, and plentiful finger foods and snacks (and breakfast pastries and many late-night treats). In the end, the weekend was filled with as many laughs as calories. {Do not be dissuaded – this recipe is healthy!}
To celebrate the upcoming nuptuals of the sparkly and delightful MMH, we, her nearest and dearest, rented a house in a quaint vacation town, and did it up right. If I could start every day of my life seated at a long farm-style table surrounded by a dozen laughing friends, with warm, sweet and savory filling brunches and coffee flowing like it would not quit – I guarantee I would do it. Two such days last weekend will have to suffice for now, I suppose! Most other details from the weekend will stay in the vault.
The Quinoa Casserole was a dark horse. Originally planned as an experimental dish for our gluten-free crew, I figured one 8 x 8 pan would last them for two mornings, supplemented with roasted potatoes and fruit. Negative. The whole group could not get enough of it, and we had one pan each morning – in addition to a plethora of other dishes {stay tuned for more recipes!} – and everyone dug in. If you have eggs, milk, quinoa, and some sort of green vegetable, you will be loving this in an hour. It is a great way to start – or end – the day. I just made one for dinner!
- .5 c uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
- 8 eggs {it would work to use just 7 eggs, or 6 eggs and 4 egg whites, but I do not recommend a higher ratio of egg whites than that}
- 1.25 c skim milk
- 1 T minced garlic
- 1 t chopped thyme, or ½ t dried thyme {I have also added 1 T pesto - experiment with different herbs and flavors!}
- .5 t pepper
- 2 c packed baby spinach, roughly chopped {I have also added ½ c chopped raw broccoli, and had there not been a slight preference by the crowd against mushrooms and onions ... sauteed mushrooms and onions probably would have made their way in}
- shredded, grated, or shaved Parmesan-Reggiano cheese {definitely experiment with other cheeses!}
- Preheat oven to 350. Although, there were no numbers on the stove I used the first time I made this (next time I will also tie one hand behind my back), so I think anything from 350-400 would be fine.
- Spray an 8" x 8" baking dish with olive oil spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients except for the vegetables and cheese.
- Stir in the vegetables (don't use the whisk - they will get stuck!), and pour mixture into prepared pan.
- Cover the pan tightly with foil, then rock the pan a bit so the quinoa settles toward the bottom.
- Bake just until the eggs set - it will look a little puffy, and no liquid should remain on top of the middle of the pan. This should take about 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle the top evenly with cheese to your taste. Return the pan to the oven and bake, uncovered, 10 to 15 minutes more, until the cheese is brown and crisp.
- As soon as it cools a bit, slice and serve!
Original link: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipe/quinoa-egg-bake-thyme-and-garlic
Aaaaannnd, your moment of zen:
I made this & accidentally omitted the milk! ?
Anyway, the quinoa turned out more like a crust – a bit hard and crunchy but still edible. Have you heard of Himalayan pink salt? That’s all we use since ditching the cheap stuff and we actually go through less salt. It’s the cheap stuff responsible for the health issues most of the time.
I sauteed an onion, a yellow & a red bell pepper, and a zucchini for mine. I also smashed an avocado on top of the quinoa (I layered mine – quinoa at the bottom, avocado smoosh, sprinkle of spices, veggies sauteed in same spices, minced garlic and eggs with the last of the spices).
A note for some other milk options: there are nut milks, rice milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and even A2 milk. You can also try goat milk (the best powdered version is on Amazon: powdered whole goat milk Mt. Capra brand).
I am generous with my coconut oil usage, and others who are may find some liquid on top of their casserole. Just make sure it’s not eggs and you’re good to go!
Instead of aluminum foil, I covered mine with a small silicone baking mat. It didn’t cover completely, but adequately.
This is a delicious recipe… thanks! Now if only my kids liked it. ?
Hi Chelle!
Ha! I recommend next time using milk, and tin foil. The foil helps to hold the liquid in so it doesn’t evaporate, and it will be absorbed by the quinoa. The avocado may have also sealed in the quinoa so liquid from the eggs couldn’t reach it. But if you liked the crunch – that’s wonderful.
I’m glad you liked the backbone of the recipe and made it your own!
Becky
I couldn’t tell from the print out if the quinoa amount is 5 cups or .5 cups/one half cup? This sounds great, planning to make ahead for a camping trip. Thanks
It’s half a cup (.5 cup). Same with the pepper – half a teaspoon, not 5 teaspoons! Have a great camping trip!
Oh my gosh this is my favorite recipe ever! Thank you so much for sharing! Do you have the nutritional information on it? specifically macros? Just trying to track what I’m putting in my body for some fitness goals.
I am so glad you like it! I am sorry, I don’t have nutritional information on it, and I have never counted macros, so you would probably be better at calculating that with a nutrition calculator than me! I’m sorry, but again, so glad you enjoyed!
Do you think it would dry them out too much if I made in a brownie pan?
I think it would probably be ok! I didn’t realize that I was using pyrex for everything – I find them easier to clean – but I don’t see why a brownie pan would be different. Let me know!
Did you cook the quinoa first? I did and worked out well, but wondered if I should try it raw next time. I will also add sauteed onions and garlic or sea salt, needed something extra. I did a double batch and made in 9 x13 pan. Thanks you.
Hi Lori,
I don’t cook the quinoa first. There is enough liquid in the recipe to cook the quinoa while it’s in the oven. Either way works! It’s just one less step to not have to cook the quinoa first. The recipe calls for a Tablespoon of garlic – if you doubled the recipe and two Tablespoons wasn’t enough for you, by all means add more – I am not one to shy away from garlic! For breakfast though… it’s up to you! How about adding some pesto? I try to cook without salt for health reasons and let my guests add salt to their taste.
Thanks for stopping by!
Becky
would like to try more quinoa recipes
Hi Pat! Have you tried these?
http://www.myutensilcrock.com/2016/01/01/sweet-potato-black-bean-quinoa-veggie-burgers/
http://www.myutensilcrock.com/2013/05/22/chicken-fried-quinoa/
http://www.myutensilcrock.com/2013/04/15/sweet-potato-quinoa-chili/
I hope you like them – they are some of my staples!
Becky
I love quinoa – this dish has gone straight onto my “to cook” list