Brussels Sprouts, Leek and Bacon over Red Quinoa

Brussel Sprouts, Leek, Turkey Bacon, and Almonds over Red Quinoa

I've always enjoyed cooking but generally stick to recipes from cookbooks or online recipes. On occasion I'll throw together my own recipe based off previous experience and either smile at the tasty results or take mental notes of what to do better next time. Nothing has really been written down before. With a little push from local food bloggers Barbara and Jackie, with ingredients from Melissa's Produce, this is my first recipe!

Melissa's Produce Challenge: Together with a few other San Diego food bloggers, we were each sent a box of produce and were to use 3-4 of the ingredients to create a recipe. The box included included Dutch Yellow Potatoes, Cleaned and Cut Leeks, Baby Brussels Sprouts, Ojai Pixie Tangerines, Steamed Red Beets, Steamed Fava Beans, Dried Chanterelle Mushrooms, and Red Quinoa.

Melissa's Produce Challenge box of ingredients

I wanted to make something that wasn't too complicated and was relatively healthy. I also wanted ingredients that were at least somewhat familiar to me so I chose brussel sprouts, leeks and the red quinoa. I also had some fully cooked turkey bacon in the fridge that I needed to use. Near the end, I decided to throw in some almonds for a little more protein and this is what I created!

Brussels Sprouts, Leek and Bacon over Red Quinoa

Ingredients:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 (6 ounce) package Melissa’s washed & sliced leeks
  • 2 tsp pre-minced garlic (approx. 4 cloves)
  • 4 slices of fully cooked turkey bacon, cut into 1/2 inch squares
  • 2 (10 ounce) package Melissa’s baby Brussels sprouts, washed and quartered
  • 1/4 cup almonds, slivered
  • 1 (6 ounce) package Melissa’s Red Quinoa

Directions:

Prepare the quinoa according to package directions. Rinse the quinoa with cold water, strain and place in a pot. Add 2-1/4 cups of water. For more flavor, use broth instead of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until quinoa absorbs all of the water. Fluff with fork.

While the quinoa is cooking, heat the oil in a medium sized pan. Add the leeks and cook for about 2-3 minutes on medium-low heat. Add the garlic and saute for about 1 minute. Add the turkey bacon and brussels sprouts and saute for 5-7 minutes, or until they get crisp tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Toss in the almonds and stir through. Remove from the heat.

To serve, scoop the quinoa onto a bowl or plate and top with the brussel sprout saute. Enjoy!

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Comments

Barbara's picture
Submitted by Barbara (not verified) on Wed, 03/19/2014 - 11:58am

Bacon and leeks are so good together. What a great way to make bacon "healthy" by pairing it with quinoa and brussels!

Liz@Virtually Homemade's picture
Submitted by Liz@Virtually H... (not verified) on Wed, 03/19/2014 - 12:32pm

This looks so yummy - you got your quinoa cooked better than mine! Fun doing the challenge with you :)

Faye's picture
Submitted by Faye (not verified) on Wed, 03/19/2014 - 2:49pm

Your dish looks amazing! Makes me want to jump right in!!

Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence's picture
Submitted by Brandon @ Kitch... (not verified) on Thu, 03/20/2014 - 7:23am

Looks great Lynn! Bacon and Brussels are a favorite combo of mine ;)

Puja @ Indiaphile.info's picture
Submitted by Puja @ Indiaphi... (not verified) on Thu, 03/20/2014 - 8:53am

Yay! Congratulations on your first recipe! :)
It looks delicious!!

Miss Kim @ behgopa's picture
Submitted by Miss Kim @ behgopa (not verified) on Sat, 03/22/2014 - 1:31pm

Looks delish! Btw since you and Faye's blogs are focused on SD restaurants, what are the top 5 SD restaurants on your list? Like if anyone was visiting SD for the first time, which places would you recommend as a MUST GO?

Do you Yelp your reviews on Yelp as well? I've been Yelping regularly since last year, but Yelp does have its flaws and limitations.

lynn's picture
Submitted by lynn on Fri, 03/28/2014 - 2:54pm

I do not write reviews on yelp but I've seen that they have events for elite yelpers which makes me curious. I also prefer being able to edit my posts whenever I like which I can only do on my own blog.

Everyone's food preferences are different but I'll send you a list of my personal favorites through your website.

Nancy Rose Eisman's picture
Submitted by Nancy Rose Eisman (not verified) on Thu, 04/03/2014 - 3:03pm

Congrats on your first recipe and thanks so much for being part of our 1st ever Melissa's/San Diego Food Bloggers' Surprise Box Challenge!

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