Quinoa Risotto with Arugula-Mint Pesto - PCOS-Friendly Recipe

Servings: 4

Lunch

This Quinoa Risotto with Arugula-Mint Pesto is a PCOS-friendly recipe.

Nutrition per Serving

0 Calories

0g Protein

0g Carbs

0g Fat

Recipe by The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen Swap out rice for quinoa in this protein-packed riff on risotto.

Ingredients

1/2 c. packed arugula
1/3 c. grated Manchego cheese (about 1 oz.)
1/4 c. packed fresh mint leaves, plus more for garnish
2 garlic cloves
1 tbsp. pine nuts, toasted, plus more for garnish
kosher salt
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil, plus 2 tsp.
2 medium shallots, chopped
1 1/2 c. quinoa, rinsed and drained
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
1 can (15 oz.) garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
Microgreens, for garnish

Instructions

In a food processor, pulse arugula, Manchego, mint, garlic, pine nuts and 1/4 teaspoon salt until finely chopped, scraping down side as needed. Transfer to a medium bowl; stir in 1/4 cup oil.
In a 4-quart saucepan, heat remaining 2 teaspoons oil on medium. Add shallots; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add quinoa; cook 1 minute, stirring. Add 2 cups warm water and 1 ⁄2 teaspoon salt and heat to boiling on high. Reduce heat; simmer until most of water is absorbed, stirring occasionally; 6 to 8 minutes. Add another 2 cups warm water; simmer until quinoa is just tender, stirring occasionally; 15 to 18 minutes.
To quinoa, add butter, lemon juice, half of pesto, and 1 ⁄2 cup water, stirring to combine. Fold in beans. Divide quinoa mixture among 4 serving bowls and spoon remaining pesto over quinoa. Garnish with microgreens, additional mint and pine nuts, if desired.

PCOS-Friendly Foods in This Recipe

This recipe contains the following foods that may benefit PCOS management: Lemon, Nuts.

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form. Nuts are a natural source of Inositol, a derivative of Vitamin B (which is often prescribed in the form of supplements for...

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Quinoa Risotto with Arugula-Mint Pesto good for PCOS?

Yes, this Quinoa Risotto with Arugula-Mint Pesto recipe is designed to be PCOS-friendly., it supports balanced blood sugar and hormonal health.

Can I eat this for Lunch with PCOS?

Yes, this recipe works well as a PCOS-friendly Lunch. Pair it with other PCOS-friendly foods throughout the day for balanced nutrition.

How do I fit this recipe into a PCOS meal plan?

This recipe can be part of a structured PCOS meal plan. It makes 4 servings, making it great for meal prep. For a complete weekly plan tailored to your PCOS type, take our free 60-second quiz at pcosmealplanner.com/pcos-quiz to get a personalized 7-day meal plan.

Comments

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