Gluten-Free Quinoa Stuffing
Happy Thanksgiving week! If you have room on your menu to add this quinoa stuffing; your guests will thank you. Gluten-free bread or cornbread stuffing can be tricky. You have to have the right amount of liquid and the right type of gluten-free bread to make it work. Even then, it sometimes comes out dry and lacking flavor. Not with this stuffing. Quinoa Stuffing may be made ahead of time and in less than 45 minutes. Are you smiling yet? Quinoa is a wonderful ancient grain that is packed with nutrients and essential amino acids. You are not only helping out your sanity this holiday season, but your body will thank you as well. Light, flavorful and satisfying; you will make this quinoa stuffing time and time again. Enjoy your holidays!
Quinoa Stuffing
Time: about 30 minutes. Serves 6-10 depending on portion size.
Ingredients:
- One 12 ounce box (or 2 cups) of regular or red quinoa, by Ancient Harvest.
- 4 cups (32 fluid ounce) chicken or vegetable stock
- 2 gala apples with skin, diced
- 4 small/medium stalks celery with leaves, diced
- 1 small white onion, minced
- 4-6 fresh sage leaves, minced
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup champagne vinegar
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- juice of 1 small lemon
- handful fresh Italian parsley, rough chop
- one 1.75 ounce bag of Lemon Thyme Hail Merry Pecans, or 1/2 cup regular pecans
Instructions:
Cook quinoa according to directions, in vegetable or chicken stock. In separate skillet, saute apple, celery, onion and sage in olive oil, vinegar and Grand Marnier. Until liquids are reduced and vegetables are soft. Season with salt and pepper. Add in garlic and lemon juice, saute for 3 minutes. Add cooked quinoa to skillet. Stir to join all ingredients. Mix in fresh parsley and top with chopped pecans.
Make ahead of time to let flavors blend, serve room temperature or warm.
Other Thanksgiving recipes:
2010:
Butternut Squash with Ricotta and Fresh Thyme
Butternut Squash Pizza with Goat Cheese and Fried Sage
2009: (Wow, my pictures have come a long way!)
Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Roast
ATX Gluten-Free 
Today I came across a great quinoa recipe too, quinoa stuffed mushrooms. I really love this stuffing too, it’s a bit different than mine. Thanks a lot for sharing it.
Naomi
My mother (from Louisiana) used to make her dressing with long grain rice, giblets, and a whole bunch of other spicey deep-South additions. I prefer quinoa much more than rice and I bet that would work out as a substitution. Thanks for the great inspiration!
Thank you! I loved the quinoa stuffing. IT was a huge hit!!! Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.