Simple Kale and Quinoa Pilaf

This speedy, simple dish features two — no, three — vegan faves — quinoa, kale and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast provides a big B-12 boost and terrific cheesy flavor. What’s not to love? Tart this dish up with a handful of your favorite chopped herbs, pair it with grilled vegetables or tempeh or serve with a salad.

• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed in and drained
• 2 cups water or vegetable broth
• ⅓ cup pine nuts (or substitute crushed walnuts)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1 big bunch kale (about 3 cups), tough sterms removed,
  leaves sliced into skinny bite-sized ribbons
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1/2 cup white wine
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
• Chopped fresh herbs of your choice

In a medium-sized pot, bring water or vegetable broth to boil.  Add quinoa.  Reduce heat to low and cover.  Cook quinoa for about 12 to 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed and quinoa is plumped.  Remove from burner and set aside to cool.

Place a large dry skillet over medium-high heat.  Add pine nuts. Toast nuts, stirring or give pan a shake every few minutes, until nuts are golden brown and smell luscious and buttery, about 5 minutes. Pour pine nuts into a small bowl and set aside.

Pour the olive oil into the skillet and return to heat. Add chopped garlic and cook, stirring, until garlic turns soft and golden, about 5 minutes.

Add kale by the handful and stir until it is just wilted, 3 to 5 minutes.

Stir in quinoa, nutritional yeast wine and season to taste. Cook another few minutes or until heated through. Add pine nuts and toss to combine. Stir in fresh herbs or use them to top individual servings.

• Here are more recipes for hardy greens.
• Here are more quinoa recipes.

Ellen Kanner writes the Meatless Monday column for The Huffingon Post, is the Edgy Veggie, a syndicated columnist, and Dinner Guest blogger on Culinate. She is also a contributor to Bon Appetit, Relish, Eating Well, Vegetarian Times, More, the Miami Herald and regional publications across the country including Pebble Beach and Palm Beach Illustrated.