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Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts

Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts ~ Sweet pomegranates and crunchy Brussels sprouts are tossed with savory quinoa in this savory side dish.

Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Spouts ~ The Complete Savorist

This post is sponsored by Whole Foods Market at Trolley Square in downtown Salt Lake City. I received  five free food products in exchange for a post, however all thoughts and opinions, glowing, gushing, or otherwise are 100% my own.

Recently, I was invited to attend an event at one of the five Whole Foods Market in Utah.  I chose to attend the Trolley Square store in downtown Salt Lake City.  Being downtown made me realize how much I actually miss “city” life, as now I live in the country.

The event they hosted was for Utah Bloggers and it was absolutely fun.  I got to meet a handful of other bloggers whom I have only known online. Even better, we got to sample many delicious foods prepared by the store, including a Sriracha salmon and a lovely frozen custard.

Cheeses were everywhere and if you knew my depth of love for cheese, you know I was in heaven.

Upon arrival they presented us with a swag bag.  And we got to assemble a cookie kit in a jar. But the real pleasure (and stress) of the evening was being told that we were going to be let loose in the store and we could pick any FIVE items we wanted–ANY FIVE ITEMS.  They encourage us to write a post, but it wasn’t mandatory.

Now, I am cooking/food show tv junkie.  Top Chef has been a favorite for years.

You know those scenes where the chef-testants run into Whole Foods scouring the shelves for the needed items for their dishes? That’s what it felt like, except I didn’t run in knowing what I wanted to make.

Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Spouts ~ The Complete Savorist

Shopping at Whole Foods

Grocery shopping is one of my favorite things to do (yes, I am odd). But usually I go with a list and then know at least a dozen other items will make it into my basket that have inspired me while wandering the aisles.

But this time, this time, I was just told to go, scour, find any five things I wanted and go for it. The sheer agony of my ADD brain thinking of recipes for every single thing I saw was joyous torture.

At one point I had buffalo in my hand.  Then a whole duck. I wandered up and down the aisles, bumping into other happy, ecstatic, and slightly overwhelmed bloggers-each trying to craft their own dishes as well.

Finally, I settled on pork belly. They had Brussels still on the stalk.  I wanted quinoa.  Cheese seemed like a natural choice. Pomegranates just felt seasonally festive.

Once my protein was chosen, the rest of the dish just came together and Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts formed in my mind.

Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Spouts ~ The Complete Savorist

I ended up making two different dishes, an appetizer using all these same products, an entree and a side dish.  The appetizer is a Pomegranate Pork Belly Crostini which I posted last week.

Check back tomorrow to see the Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Pork Belly. Here is the side, a fabulously satisfying quinoa with my favorite Brussels and the sweet and festive pomegranates.  Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts is a  perfect side dish if I ever tasted one.

Thank you Whole Foods for such a fun evening.

Things to Make with Quinoa

Grilled BBQ Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Loaded Quinoa and Edamame Salad

Chicken and Quinoa Salad

Mexican Quinoa Dinner

Sweet pomegranates and crunchy Brussels sprouts are tossed with savory quinoa in this savory side dish. ~ The Complete Savorist by Michelle De La Cerda

Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pomegranate, quinoa, side dish
Author: Michelle De La Cerda

Sweet pomegranates and crunchy Brussels sprouts are tossed with savory quinoa in this savory side dish.

Print

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 onion , sliced
  • 1 lb Brussels sprouts , trimmed and sliced
  • 1 pomegranate , seeded
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1/8 tsp salt and pepper; adjusted to taste

Instructions

  1. Clean the quinoa.

  2. Bring to boil 2 cups of water on medium high heat.

  3. Once the water is boiling, salt the water and add the quinoa, stir.

  4. Allow the pot to resume boiling then stir well. Reduce heat to low, cover and allow to cook for 12-15 minutes.

  5. Meanwhile, over a medium-high flame, heat a sauté pan, add the olive oil.
  6. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes, then add the Brussels sprouts.

  7. Allow the Brussels to get some color on them, reduce heat to medium and cook for about 7 minutes.

  8. Add the pomegranate seeds, mixing well.
  9. Add the salt, pepper, and red wine vinegar.

  10. Once cooked through, set aside.
  11. When the quinoa is cooked, add it to a large bowl. Then add the sautéed Brussels mixture to the bowl and mix well.

  12. Serve and enjoy.

Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts ~ Sweet pomegranates and crunchy Brussels sprouts tossed with savory quinoa ~ The Complete Savorist

Thank you for sharing!

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44 Comments

  • Reply
    Linda (Meal Planning Maven)
    December 30, 2014 at 11:38 am

    5 stars
    Everything about this dish screams ‘eat me!” Colorful, healthy and delicious.. Beautiful post!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 30, 2014 at 9:00 pm

      I do love the colors! Thank you Linda.

  • Reply
    fabiola@notjustbaked
    December 30, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    Perfect salad and beautiful colors, I love this!

  • Reply
    peter @feedyoursoultoo
    December 30, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    This dish is as beautiful as it is healthy.

  • Reply
    Sandra Shaffer
    December 30, 2014 at 3:14 pm

    5 stars
    Oh, love all the ingredients in this recipe, especially the pop of red pomegranate seeds!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 30, 2014 at 9:05 pm

      The seeds add the right pop of sweetness.

  • Reply
    Lauren Kelly Nutrition
    December 30, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    This salad is gorgeous!

  • Reply
    Tonia from TheGunnySack
    December 30, 2014 at 4:27 pm

    What an awesome combination of flavors!

  • Reply
    Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious
    December 30, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    Simply delectable!

  • Reply
    Angela
    December 30, 2014 at 8:30 pm

    What a beautiful looking salad! Perfect healthy recipe for the new year!

  • Reply
    Patty Haxton Anderson
    December 31, 2014 at 6:27 am

    I agree with Linda Shapiro – everything about it does scream eat me! Looks and sounds delicious. Great photos.

  • Reply
    Dan from Platter Talk
    December 31, 2014 at 8:09 am

    5 stars
    Loving this super combination of super foods! Nicely done.

  • Reply
    Mary
    December 31, 2014 at 9:00 am

    I can’t wait to give this recipe a try. All of my favorite ingredients in one healthy bowl! Happy New Year!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 31, 2014 at 9:41 am

      Thank you Mary, hope you enjoy it.

  • Reply
    Linda @ForkandForage
    December 31, 2014 at 10:12 am

    5 stars
    What a beautiful medley of colors and ingredients. I bet this tastes amazing!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 31, 2014 at 11:34 am

      Thank you Linda! It is really tasty.

  • Reply
    Patricia @ Grab a Plate
    December 31, 2014 at 10:20 am

    Score! Colorful, healthy, and fab flavors! Sounds delicious!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 31, 2014 at 11:34 am

      Thank you Patricia!

  • Reply
    KC the Kitchen Chopper
    December 31, 2014 at 10:49 am

    5 stars
    That sounds like a blast. Did you contact them or did they come to you. I’d love to know how to get involved in some of this kind of “sponsored” fun! Great read and recipe! Happy New Year!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      December 31, 2014 at 11:35 am

      Thanks KC! Im part of a Utah food bloggers group and they approached us.

  • Reply
    Bowl Me Over
    January 1, 2015 at 8:27 am

    I think I would be totally overwhelmed also, but what you chose is just a perfect combination of bright fresh flavors. How delicious!!!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      January 1, 2015 at 11:46 am

      Thank you Debra! The dish really came together quite nicely. I was pleased despite the pressure.

  • Reply
    Inspiring Kitchen
    January 1, 2015 at 12:57 pm

    That looks wonderful, Michelle. I love quinoa and am always looking for new ways to cook with it. Pretty presentation too.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      January 1, 2015 at 1:07 pm

      Thank you so much! It really came out well.

  • Reply
    Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen
    January 1, 2015 at 5:08 pm

    I have never made quinoa before – but I see it everywhere! I need to step out of my comfort zone and try this! This recipe looks delish, and since we adore brussels sprouts & pomegranates, what’s not to love? Happy 2015!

    • Reply
      Michelle
      January 1, 2015 at 5:21 pm

      This was my first go with the qunioa too. Super easy.

  • Reply
    Foodies Network » Quinoa with Pomegranate & Brussels Sprouts
    January 5, 2015 at 10:54 am

    […] Quinoa with Pomegranate & Brussels Sprouts […]

  • Reply
    Marlys (This and That)
    January 24, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    I have been on quinoa kick.. also pomegranate and this sounds like a wonderful recipe. Would be a prefect recipe to try brussel sprouts for the first time.

    • Reply
      Michelle
      January 24, 2015 at 7:12 pm

      First time for the Brussels!!! Oh man…You’re in for a treat. Love them.

  • Reply
    Pomegranate-Honey Glazed Pork Belly
    April 4, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    […] paired this fabulous hunk of meat with the Quinoa with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts and sprinkled crumbles of gorgonzola. When I was finally able to serve this, a friend who has never […]

  • Reply
    Nutmeg Nanny
    December 2, 2015 at 7:13 am

    What a delicious looking winter salad! I love quinoa but even better when you throw in Brussels sprouts and pomegranate!

  • Reply
    Florian @ContentednessCooking
    December 2, 2015 at 9:35 am

    Love the colorful look of this! All my favorite flavors in one bowl, love it! 🙂

  • Reply
    Julie @ Texan New Yorker
    December 2, 2015 at 7:48 pm

    I’ve been so reluctant to try quinoa, but since you added Brussels to it, I think I would. This does sound great!

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      December 3, 2015 at 5:32 pm

      I was reluctant to give quinoa a try as well, but I was utterly delighted by it.

  • Reply
    Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert
    December 2, 2015 at 11:03 pm

    These are some of my favorite fruits and veggies, combined in a salad! Looks amazing!

  • Reply
    18 Delicious Recipes For Quinoa Bowl Recipes - Slay At Home Mother
    March 15, 2022 at 8:11 am

    […] Quinoa Bowl with Pomegranate and Brussels Sprouts is a great option for either a side dish or even making it a […]

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