I have been a little under the weather lately, nothing like a good end of the season cold I always say. It has made me extremely unmotivated in the kitchen. Today I woke up feeling better than I have in days so I decided to do a little meal prep for the week. I didn’t have much hope for blog material when my crock pot breakfast casserole was pretty good, yet not quite ready for the masses. However, I got lucky when I threw together this spicy cajun dirty quinoa! It was actually supposed to be the classic dirty rice….but apparently we ate all the rice at some point and I was not aware. Quinoa to the rescue!
I whipped this up for Kenny and I’s lunches this week and when I took a bite my eyes popped out of my head and I ran for my camera. I got another dose of luck when the lighting worked in my favor! Usually it is AM photo shoots or bust….but this afternoon’s light was workable 🙂
It’s the little things.
This recipe is a one dish wonder. I recommend it as a quick entree but you could totally use it as a loaded side. It is spicy, fiber rich, cajun-y, and pretty true to the classic version you grew up with. Or, I should say the classic version I grew up with. I am embarrassed to say my favorite dirty rice was always the fast food chain Popeyes. This is not exact, but if you switched it out with rice like I originally intended, you will have a healthy close alternative.
Any fast food chain dish you want me to replicate? I’m always down for a challenge! Let me know in the comments below. Also, snap a pic and tag me @peppers_peaches/ use my hashtag #peppersandpeaches if you make this tasty recipe!
- 1½ cups cooked quinoa (I cook it with veggie broth instead of water)
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 1½ cups vegan beefy crumbles
- 1 tbs coconut oil
- ½ tsp cajun seasoning ⅛ tsp red pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- There are two ways to begin this dish. 1) cook your quinoa with the diced onion in a rice cooker 2) boil rice according to directions
- Add coconut oil in skillet, then add bell pepper (if chose 2nd option at the beginning add onions as well). Sautee for 5 minutes.
- Add vegan beefy crumbles. Saute for another 5 minutes
- Next, add your quinoa, cajun seasonings, salt, and red pepper. Stir well. Taste, add more seasonings per taste.
April says
I definitely pinned this for later! I’m trying to enjoy quinoa more but rice, I just can’t quit it. What brand of beefy crumbles are you liking these days? I got some of the Beyond Beef ones, and also the Publix brand ones and… I just am not liking them very much.
Jenn says
I love rice too! Im currently obsessed with forbidden rice, where has it been all my life?? Haha! I used Beyond Meat for this and I enjoyed it, sorry to hear it wasn’t your favorite. Luckily there are a bunch of new ones out so I hope you find one you like! Goodluck 🙂