Quinoa risotto (quinotto) with roasted cherry tomatoes

A delicious and healthy rice free risotto.

📝 Ingredients

• 250 g cherry tomatoes (1 1/2 cups)
• 2 cloves of garlic (paper on)
• 2 tbs olive oil
• 4-5 cups of vegetable stock
• 1 tbs butter
• 1/2 brown onion (diced)
• 1 1/2 cups quinoa (rinsed under running water for 2 minutes)
• 1/3 cup white wine (optional)
• 3/4 cup rocket leaves
• salt and pepper
• BASIL PESTO:
• 1/2 cup basil leaves (packed)
• 2 tbs cashews
• 2 tbs grated parmesan cheese
• 1 clove small of garlic
• 1 1/2 tbs olive oil
• salt and pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 180 celsius (350 fahrenheit) and toss the cherry tomatoes and garlic in 1 tbs of olive oil and place in a small baking tray. Roast for 20 minutes or until tender and the skin has started to shrivel and split.
2. 2While the tomatoes are roasting place the basil leaves, cashews, garlic, parmesan and oil in a food processor. Pulse to combine.
3. 3Place a medium saucepan over a high heat and add the vegetable stock. Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce the heat to low.
4. 4Place a large saucepan over a medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter has melted add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove the garlic cloves from baking tray and squeeze the garlic from the paper and add to the onions. Squash the roasted garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the quinoa and coat in the butter, onion and garlic mixture until the quinoa starts to turn translucent.
5. 5Add the wine and cook until it's absorbed. Add the stock, a ladle at a time, and cook until absorbed before adding another ladleful, stirring as you go. Once the quinoa is tender remove the saucepan from the heat and add the remaining 1 tbs of olive oil and half the cherry tomatoes. Stir, squashing the cherry tomatoes against the side of the saucepan to release their juices. Check the seasoning and adjust as necessary. Lastly add the rocket leaves and stir to combine before serving immediately with dollops of pesto.