Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa & Broccoli

Instructions

• Start by rinsing the quinoa under cold water until the water runs clear. This is to remove the bitter coating that quinoa naturally has.
• In a medium-sized pot, add the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water or vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for around 15 minutes or until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid and is fully cooked. Fluff it with a fork and set it aside.
• While the quinoa is cooking, you can start preparing the broccoli. Steam the broccoli florets until they are bright green and just tender. You can do this in a steamer or by boiling them in a small amount of water in a covered pan. Once done, set them aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pan, cooking each side for about 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink.
• Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté it with the shrimp for about a minute, or until the garlic is fragrant.
• Zest the lemon and squeeze its juice into the pan, stirring well to coat the shrimp. Season with salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes if you like a bit of heat.
• Add the cooked quinoa and steamed broccoli to the pan, stirring everything together so that the quinoa and broccoli soak up the lemon garlic sauce.
• Serve the Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Quinoa & Broccoli immediately, garnishing with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy this healthy and delicious meal!