Ingredients
Gathering these ingredients will feel like collecting memories, each one a crucial piece of the culinary puzzle. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional, but for me, essential)
Substitutions are a cook’s best friend. Don’t have quinoa? Bulgur wheat or brown rice can step in. No zucchini? Swap it with what’s in season, perhaps eggplant or even some sweet potatoes for a twist. Flexibility is key, much like adapting to whatever the day throws at you in the kitchen.
Instructions
Let’s turn those humble ingredients into a meal that wraps you in comfort, much like a beloved family story shared over the dinner table.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent—about 3 minutes. This aroma always takes me back to Mum’s kitchen, where the smell of onions sizzling was a morning staple.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon (my preferred tool) and cooking until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and a touch of cinnamon—trust me, it adds a magical warmth.
- Stir in the diced red bell pepper, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with paprika and oregano, stirring to combine. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add the quinoa and chicken broth to the skillet, giving it a good stir. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15-20 minutes until the quinoa is cooked and the liquid absorbed.
- Once done, garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot. This is when the kitchen starts to feel like a gathering place, much like those Sunday afternoons filled with laughter and stories.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International