Recipe: Basil Beef Bowl with Quinoa Stir-Fry

I have to say cooking this dish was WAY out of my comfort level, but it really was so easy and it was SO good. I can’t wait to make it again. This is a dish that my husband loved as well, which I wasn’t sure if he would since it was so different from what we normally eat. If it’s outside of your comfort level, I recommend trying it, because it’s really super easy!

Ingredients:
2/3 cup of quinoa
1/2 cup of peas (frozen and thawed are fine)
10-12 oz of flank steak
2 scallions (green onions), sliced
a handful of thai basil, cut into strips
2-3 carrots, cut into thin slices
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 lime, cut into wedges
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons of vegetable/canola oil
1 cup of water
salt & pepper
1 teaspoon of honey
2 teaspoons of soy sauce- divided
2 teaspoons of Sriracha – divided

Directions:
First thing I do is cut up everything and place it on my board next to wear I will be cooking. This makes cooking so much easier!

Now you will need to cook your quinoa. Place 1 cup of water and a pinch of salt in a pan with quinoa, bring to boil, reduce heat low to simmer. Cook for approximately 10 minutes until water has evaporated and quinoa is tender. Remove from heat, cover, and set to the side.

Next, slice your beef very very thin, against the grain. It should be in strips. Place the beef in a medium bowl with 1/2 of your lime (juice it into the bowl), minced garlic, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of Sriracha, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to 3 hours. 10 minutes really is enough since the beef is really thin.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. After a few minutes add in carrot and onion. Saute until the onions are translucent, about 5-8 minutes. Add in the peas and saute just until warmed through, about 3 minutes. Stir in your cooked quinoa, 1 teaspoon of soy sauce, 1 teaspoon of Sriracha, cook together until all is combined. Put in a separate bowl and set aside.

Take your clean skillet and add 1 tablespoon of oil over high heat. Let the oil heat up. Add beef, but reserve any marinade in the bowl. Cook the beef until just cooked through which will be about 1 minute per side. Reduce the heat to medium and add in your Thai Basil and your marinade that was leftover. Cook for another minute.

Next you are going to plate your food, this is enough for 2 large servings. Divide the quinoa/stir-fry between 2 bowls, add your beef on top and spoon your sauce over top. Garnish with some lime wedges and green onions. Then Serve!

Check back throughout the end of this month for this to be updated with more recipes from the Blogger Recipe Challenge! Read on below for more recipes!

Disclosure: The above mentioned recipe was adapted from a Plated.com dish that I received, purchased by EverythingMommyhood.com. A few things were changed as well as the wording.