Roasted Cheezy Broccoli over Golden Saffron Quinoa.

I've been swooning over broccoli all afternoon. Doesn't everyone??

This recipe is simple, vegan, healthy and my idea of awesome..

Roasted Broccoli Over Golden Saffron Quinoa. The flavors: Spunky soy and maple-roasted "cheezy" broccoli rests on a bed of fluffy golden quinoa. The quinoa is accented with sweet saffron and infused with garlic, nutritional yeast and pepper.

This is a recipe where everything just goes effortlessly right, and simplicity is bliss..

Golden Saffron Quinoa:

With Broccoli:

I Love Broccoli. I've been dreaming about posting nutritional yeast roasted broccoli somewhere on my blog for a long time - especially since I make it at least once a week. Broccoli is so delicious on it's own - I steam, roast or flash boil mine - but a sprinkle of my favorite nutritional yeast brands (Kal, One Lucky Duck or Bragg's) makes it even better.

Seasoned broccoli before roasting..

..So when I found two giant stalks of farm fresh broccoli at the union Square Farmer's Market, I decided now was the time to post my beloved cheezy broccoli.

NYC Broccoli. When I say "cheezy" broccoli I really mean NYC-style cheese (Nutritional Yeast Cheese).

Enter Quinoa. I love quinoa and broccoli. And really, there are a million ways you can flavor quinoa with mixed spices and veggies. Today I did a saffron/garlic/nutritional yeast quinoa. Fluffy and light.

Cooking Tips: How to make quinoa fluffy every time.

More info on Nutritional Yeast.

This recipe is a perfect lunch. Or add some tempeh croutons or braised tofu to morph it into a healthy dinnertime feast!

Golden Saffron Quinoa with Maple-Roasted Cheezy Broccoli
vegan, makes 2-3 servings

Broccoli:
2-3 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce (or bragg's Liquid Aminos)
1-2 tablespoon maple syrup
6 cups broccoli (stalks sliced thin and florets cut into bite-sized pieces)
2-3 tablespoon EVOO
⅓ cup nutritional yeast flakes
1 teaspoon black pepper

Quinoa:
¼ teaspoon saffron
1 tablespoon garlic powder or 2 cloves, minced
2 tablespoon nutritional yeast flakes
1 cup + 2 tablespoon dry quinoa (measure before rinsing)
1 ⅔ cup water, salted
*double this recipe if you'd like larger servings of quinoa or leftovers!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. Boil your salted water. Dissolve garlic powder and saffron directly into the water.

3. Rinse your quinoa. This step isn't necessary - but it can help if you are having issues getting your quinoa fluffy. Add quinoa to the boiling water. Cover with lid. Reduce heat to low-med. Walk away from quinoa for 10 minutes.

4. Prep your broccoli. Add to a large bowl. Add in soy sauce, maple syrup, oil and half of the nutritional yeast. Toss well. Pour onto a baking sheet. Place in 450 degree oven for 10 minutes.

5. Return to your quinoa. After 10 minutes, turn heat off and allow quinoa to sit for an additional 10 minutes. When the time is up, uncover lid and fluff with a fork. Add in the nutritional yeast and continue fluffing. You can add in additional spices if you'd like.

6. When your broccoli is roasted (takes around 10-15 minutes). Remove from oven. Sprinkle with the remaining nutritional yeast and black pepper and let sit. I like to drain off any excess marinade liquid.

7. Plating: add a few scoops of fluffy quinoa..