Dinner for One: Cashew Broccoli & Quinoa Lettuce Cups
A quick + easy veggie-loaded meal that serves just one person!
Ingredients
- 1 small crown of broccoli to yield about 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 3/4 cup cooked quinoa*
- 2 Tablespoons roasted unsalted cashews
- 1/2 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- a pinch each of garlic powder ginger powder, and black pepper
- 8 leaves of Bibb Butter, or Boston lettuce, or 4 large leaves of romaine
- 1/2 an avocado a wedge of lime, and crushed red pepper flakes, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- 1. Place a large skillet over medium heat. While skillet heats, chop broccoli into bite-sized pieces.
- 2. Add broccoli and olive oil to the pan and cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring/tossing occasionally, until broccoli is starting to soften and turn crispy around the edges.
- 3. Add cooked quinoa and cashews, and cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Finally, add the soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and black pepper, and stir to fully combine. Taste and add an extra squirt of soy sauce if not salty enough for your tastebuds.
- 4. Turn off the heat and let your stir-fy mixture sit in the pan while you assemble the lettuce cups. Place lettuce on a plate (2 leaves per cup for Bibb, butter, or Boston lettuce, to make a sturdy enough lettuce cup to be picked up) and fill with a spoonful of the stir-fry mixture. Add slices of avocado, a squeeze of lime juice, and crushed red pepper flakes on top, if desired. Eat immediately, using your hands to pick up each lettuce cup and eat it like a taco.
Notes
*If you don't already have cooked quinoa sitting in the fridge, rinse 1 cup of dry quinoa and add it to a small pot with 2 cups of water and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce to low and let cook for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and let sit in the pot for another 5 minutes, covered, before using. Any other grain like rice, farro, etc can also be used here instead.
Looking to boost the protein content of these lettuce cups? Try adding 1/2 cup crumbled tofu, finely diced chicken, or salmon to the recipe. Cook any of them in the pan with the broccoli, and proceed with the recipe as written, doubling the quantity of soy, sesame oil, and spices, since the protein will need extra flavor.
Looking to boost the protein content of these lettuce cups? Try adding 1/2 cup crumbled tofu, finely diced chicken, or salmon to the recipe. Cook any of them in the pan with the broccoli, and proceed with the recipe as written, doubling the quantity of soy, sesame oil, and spices, since the protein will need extra flavor.