Eggplant Parmesan Bake with Quinoa and Green Beans

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa (white, rinsed well)
• 2 cup water (or no-salt-added vegetable broth)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for toasting)
• 0.25 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
• 0.25 tsp salt (optional, for low-sodium version)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2 tbsp parsley (fresh, finely chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   Rinse the quinoa

   • Place the quinoa in a fine-mesh sieve.
   • Rinse thoroughly under cold running water for at least 1 minute, rubbing the grains with your fingers to remove the bitter saponin coating.
   • Drain very well.
2. 2

   Toast the quinoa (optional)

   • Heat the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
   • Add the rinsed and drained quinoa and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until it smells nutty and is slightly golden.
3. 3

   Cook the quinoa

   • Carefully pour the water into the saucepan. Add the garlic powder, black pepper, and salt.
   • Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat.
   • Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. 4

   Rest and fluff

   • After 15 minutes, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it stand, still covered, for 5 minutes. This allows the quinoa to steam and finish cooking.
   • Remove the lid and gently fluff the grains with a fork.
5. 5

   Finish and serve

   • Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
   • Serve warm as a side dish.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Green Beans (Fresh, ends trimmed)
• 2 cup Water (For steaming, will not be consumed)
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil (Extra virgin recommended)
• 0.25 tsp Salt (Or to taste)
• 0.25 tsp Black Pepper (Freshly ground)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Green Beans

   • Rinse the green beans thoroughly under cold running water.
   • Pat them dry with a paper towel.
   • Snap or trim the tough stem ends off each bean.
2. 2

   Set Up the Steamer

   • Pour about 1-2 inches of water into a large pot or saucepan.
   • Place a steamer basket inside, ensuring the water level is below the bottom of the basket.
   • Bring the water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
3. 3

   Steam the Green Beans

   • Carefully place the trimmed green beans into the steamer basket, arranging them in a single layer if possible.
   • Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and reduce the heat to medium.
   • Steam for 5-7 minutes. The beans are done when they are bright green and crisp-tender (easily pierced with a fork but still have a slight bite).
4. 4

   Season and Serve

   • Turn off the heat and carefully remove the steamer basket from the pot.
   • Transfer the hot green beans to a serving bowl.
   • Immediately drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
   • Toss gently to coat evenly and serve warm.