Quinoa and Roasted Potatoes with La Kama Spice Blend and Fresh Herbs in Season

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Raise your hand if you thought quinoa is healthy because you won’t eat too much of it [like one would do with chocolate].  Gee, am I alone here again?  Well, today I learned that quinoa is not only packed with essential amino acids like lysine, and good quantities of calcium, phosphorus, and iron, but also has the yum factor and can be very versatile.  OK, it is NOT replacing basmati for me, but it is a welcome addition to my culinary repertoire.  Well, I don’t really have a repertoire, but I wanted to check if I can spell the word.

Here’s the spice blend adapted from Paula Wolfert’s recipe “Baked Moroccan Chicken with Charred Tomatoes” from her book Mediterranean Clay Pot Cooking.  You can get your copy here.

MOROCCAN LA KAMA SPICE BLEND

  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
  • 1 tablespoon ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg

Roasted Potatoes with La Kama Spice Blendroasted potatoes

  • 1 pound potatoes, washed and quartered
  • chopped French tarragon
  • chopped chives
  • 1 tablespoons truffle oil
  • sea salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • lemon juice and truffle oil to finish
Fresh Lemons from Moonglow Gardens, The Daily Palette

directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400F.  Toss all ingredients in a bowl.  Transfer to baking sheet.
  2. Bake for 30 minutes.
  3. Truffle oil to finish.  Serve with a wedge of lemon.

Since I grabbed a bag of organic quinoa from Costco over the weekend, I am now committed to 4 lbs or 40 servings of these grains.  Fortunately for me, my opening dish turned out deliciously and I cannot wait to cook another batch.  I cooked with whatever I have available in the garden and pantry:  tarragon, chives, lemon, and truffle oil.

ingredients

  • 1/2 cup quinoa
  • 1 cup water or broth [I used vegetable broth]
  • pinch of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon Moroccan La Kama Spice Blend
  • French tarragon, chopped
  • chives, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon truffle oil [more or less according to desired taste]
  • juice of lemon

directions

  1. Rinse quinoa.
  2. Combine quinoa with water, broth, salt, and Moroccan La Kama Spice Blend in a pot.
  3. Bring to a boil, turn down heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
  4. Let cool for 5 minutes, add chopped tarragon and chives.
  5. Fluff with fork, finish with truffle oil and lemon, then serve.
Quinoa with La Kama Spice Blend, The Daily Palette.com

30 thoughts on “Quinoa and Roasted Potatoes with La Kama Spice Blend and Fresh Herbs in Season”

  2. Hi Annapet! I definitely need to buy truffle oil. I’ve been thinking about it but forget every time. The potato looks so good. By looking at that, my mouth water…I am really a potato person! I also don’t use enough tarragon. I’ve used a couple of times and I’m really surprised with the fragrance and flavor it gives. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!!
    Nami | Just One Cookbook recently posted..Sesame Dressing

  4. I mentioned to you that the first time I tasted Quinoa was when I visited my daughter in Cal, she cooked this for me and when she came home again over the summer, she did cook up something with quinoa again. I guess it’s part of her culinary repertoire now , hmmm i also know how to spell the word, no red line for auto spell check haha.
    Truffle oil? terragon? Moroccan La Kama Spice blend? Wow Ninang I have to upgrade my spices rack into a gourmet one like yours!
    Have a great weekend,
    Malou
    skip to malou recently posted..the BIG change

  6. Love your writing MIss Annapet. So entertaining, refreshing and honest to goodness the truth but nothing but…:) I can completely relate, lol. I got the same bag and as much as I know in my mind the benefits of quinoa just like you basmati got my heart. I do make it once in awhile awhile when I want to be good. Like your use of Paula Wolfert’s cookbook. Yay! :)
    foodwanderings recently posted..Indian Shakshuka – Poached Eggs in a Curry Sauce

  11. This panda loves quinoa! Makes me happy to see you liked it too. Your garden tweets/photos/comments make me wish I had one too. I live in an apt and will move to another apt but I’m already searching for options to have an edible garden in my soon to be rooftop. Expect a lot of questions from me :)
    Yuri recently posted..Hi there…

  12. after that, i’ll have to add quinoa to my grocery list. ok, i just did.
    the potatoes will have to be roasted TONIGHT. my body’s asking for starch, smothered with moroccan spices and truffle oil! what’s not good about that?!

  13. I read your post over the weekend & you got me thinking about quinoa so finally made some for dinner tonight. Even though I didn’t have trufle oil & my tarragon died I think it still came out good (the bunso kept saying pass me the rice LOL).
    Thanks for reminding me about quinoa, It’ll be part of the family’s repertwa again (easier to spell my way) ;)
    carolineadobo recently posted..Salted Duck Egg and Tomato Salad

  14. I love quinoa but it’s one of those things I never think to cook with! I love this flavorful recipe and should really get back to cooking dishes like this. Thanks for sharing. I should get her book.
    Jamie recently posted..A TRIP TO OMAN