Bok Choy, Lentil, and Quinoa Bowls with Quick-Pickled Radishes
SEASON: Winter
VEGAN
Bok choy used to be intimidating to me, until I learned how easy it is to cook. Now it’s a go-to vegetable for nights when I want to jazz up a dish using inexpensive staples like lentils and quinoa. The quick-pickled radishes add spice and crunch to an otherwise soft, mellow dish.
Serves 4 | Prep time: 5 minutes | Cook time: 35 minutes
¾ cup lentils
4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
4 radishes, thinly sliced
2 to 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon ground ginger
4 baby bok choy, leaves separated and stems chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup quinoa
1.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, bring the lentils and vegetable broth to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
2.
While the lentils are cooking, put the sliced radishes in a small bowl with the white wine vinegar to marinate.
3.
Heat the olive oil and garlic in a skillet or saucepan over medium heat, cooking 1 to 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the sliced mushrooms, ground ginger, baby bok choy, and soy sauce, and sauté for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
4.
While sautéing the vegetables, add the quinoa to the pot with the broth and lentils, then stir and continue to cook for 12 to 15 more minutes.
5.
To serve, divide the quinoa and lentil mixture into bowls, top with the mushroom and bok choy mixture, and garnish with the pickled radishes.
Prep tip: Make a larger batch of pickled radishes (or any pickled veggies ) in advance, and use to garnish.
VARIATIONS:
Broccoli and Lentil Quinoa Bowl: Use broccoli or rapini (broccoli rabe) in place of the bok choy if you’re just getting into veggie dishes.
Bok Choy Noodle Bowl: Add an extra 8 ounces of vegetable broth and replace quinoa with udon noodles for a veggie-filled noodle bowl.
PER SERVING: Calories: 391; Total fat: 10g; Carbohydrates: 60g; Fiber: 9g; Protein: 18g; Calcium: 61mg; Vitamin D: 4mcg; Vitamin B12 : 0mcg; Iron: 5mg; Zinc: 3mg