EASY EATS : PESTO QUINOA CHICKEN BROCCOLINI
Arriving home after a big day of work and cooking for 1, 2 or 10 can be exhausting, the key is to keep it simple, delicious and nourishing (of course…). Simplicity and nutrition comes from just a few ingredients on hand in the fridge and freezer and the delicious factor coming from their combination. If you keep these ingredients in the kitchen you’ve a winner meal ticking all the nutrient boxes – protein, carbs, fats, green goodness offering antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to boot.
Freezer:
Chicken breast
Frozen peas
Fridge:
Pesto (can be frozen too if you don’t use an entire pot before its shelf life is up)
Broccolini
Avo
Lemon
Pantry:
Quinoa
Sea salt and pepper
There may even be a few items left over for the following day and a different way to use them too… A couple of ways to use up leftover vegetables:
1. Blanch peas and smash with pesto and avocado, a drizzle of lemon and serve with eggs
2. Top toasted sourdough bread with pesto, avocado, broccolini, lemon, sea salt and black pepper
But for now, let’s dive into one of the quickest, easiest, delicious and heart warming meals going around town.
PESTO QUINOA WITH CHICKEN PEAS AND BROCCOLINI
Serves 1
180-200g chicken breast
1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 tablespoons pesto
1/2 bunch broccolini, trimmed
1/2 cup frozen or fresh peas
1/2 avocado, sliced
1/2 lemon
sea salt and black pepper
To poach the chicken…Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to the boil, add whole chicken breast, turn off heat, cover and poach for 20 minutes. Once cooked drain and set aside covered.
To make the quinoa…combine quinoa and 1 cup water in a small saucepan, bring to the boil, cover and reduce to simmer for 12-15 minutes. The quinoa is cooked when the ‘tails’ of the quinoa begin to show. Once cooked toss with pesto, place in a bowl for serving, cover and set aside to stay warm.
To cook the vegetables…bring a small saucepan of water to the boil, take off heat, add broccolini and blanch for 2-3 minutes, remove broccolini and set aside. Quickly blanch peas for 1 minute, drain completely and toss with pesto quinoa.
To serve… slice chicken and place on top of quinoa with broccolini, avocado and lemon. Season with sea salt and black pepper.
