Quinoa Salad with Broccoli-Avocado Pesto

Photo by Katie Morris

Katie Morris November 7, 2012

http://greatist.com/health/recipe-quinoa-broccoli-avocado-pesto

Inspired by the Orzo and Broccoli Pesto Salad in Heidi Swanson's Super Natural Every Day and the Barefoot Contessa's Parmesan Roasted Broccoli. Serves 2-3.

What You'll Need:

1 cup quinoa, cooked
2 medium heads broccoli, cut into florets
8 cloves garlic, peeled but left whole
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
Sea salt
1 ripe avocado, pit removed
2 tablespoons pine nuts or almonds
1/2 tablespoon butter
1/4 pound mushrooms
2 oz. parmesan cheese, cut into small chunks
fresh lemon juice (optional)

What to Do:

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Toss the broccoli and garlic cloves with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. Roast for 15-20 minutes, until both broccoli and garlic are beginning to brown. Stir part way through if anything looks like it's burning.
3. Set 1/2 cup of the roasted broccoli pieces aside.
4. Add the remaining roasted broccoli, roasted garlic, avocado, parmesan cheese, and remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil to a blender, and blend until a smooth puree is formed. Taste and season with salt. Stir in a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
5. Mix half a cup of the broccoli pesto and the reserved broccoli florets into the cooked quinoa. Save any leftover pesto in the fridge for another use.
6. Heat a frying pan over medium heat. Add the nuts to the dry pan and toast, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes, or until fragrant and beginning to turn golden brown. Remove from pan and add to cooked quinoa.
7. Add the butter to the same frying pan and let it melt. Add mushrooms and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add to the salad and serve the whole mixture warm.

Looking for more roasted vegetable recipies? Check out our roundup of five favorites from around the web.

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