Meyer Lemon Quinoa with Turmeric, Black Pepper and Basil
This simple yet aphrodisiac side dish balances the bold flavors of marinated and grilled or roasted meats (or vegetables).
Served warm or cold, this lemon quinoa features the light, fresh flavors of citrus and basil plus the nutritional boost of black pepper and turmeric. It’s a healthy comfort food recipe you can use year-round.
Ingredient notes
I use Meyer lemon to give my quinoa an acidic spark without taking away from the quinoa’s natural, faintly earthy, nutty flavor.
But what’s a Meyer lemon?
Meyer lemon is smaller than a regular lemon and has a thinner skin. They’re in season in winter and spring. (However, my Meyer lemon tree sometimes produces fruit in summer or fall.) The flavor of this fruit is similar to lemon only sweeter, with less tang.
If you can’t find Meyer lemon, you can use a regular lemon to flavor the quinoa. The final dish will have a little more bite and less sweetness than it does with the Meyer lemon but it’s still tasty.
The other ingredients are all fairly straightforward and can be purchased at most neighborhood grocery stores. Just be sure to use fresh, not dried basil.
The sex benefits of Meyer lemon quinoa
Quinoa is a protein-rich whole grain, which is the kind of food that’s going to support your sex life naturally. But I wanted to make my Meyer lemon quinoa even more aphrodisiac.
So I added turmeric, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. They support heart health and good blood flow. (And blood flow isn’t just important to your heart, it’s also key for sexual satisfaction.)
Turmeric is also noted for supporting brain function and nothing beats a creative lover! There’s just one problem with turmeric. As our Nutrition Director Delahna Flagg taught me, the main active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, isn’t readily absorbed by our bodies.
But if you consume curcumin with black pepper, absorption increases by 2000%. So into my quinoa went the black pepper. And I think you’re going to love the heat the black pepper brings to this otherwise mild dish.
Serving suggestions
As I mentioned at the beginning, I like to pair this grain dish with hearty, grilled meats or grilled vegetables. The quinoa tastes great warm or cold, so heat it or not depending on your mood.
But if you’re going to serve the dish on a date night and really take advantage of its sex-boosting properties, consider keeping it light. Serve it with something like pork tenderloin or even wild game. (Check out my article on why bison is an aphrodisiac for men.) The idea is to not serve it with a meal that might make you sleepy, like a giant steak.
Meyer Lemon Quinoa with Turmeric, Black Pepper and Basil
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- 2 cups water
- 2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp Meyer lemon zest (*sub. regular lemon)
- 1 tbsp Meyer lemon juice
- 5-6 leaves Italian basil
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine quinoa, water and turmeric in a medium saucepan. Bring water to a boil, stir, then turn down to a simmer.
- Simmer for 10-15 minutes, until quinoa is soft and water is absorbed.
- Transfer quinoa to a medium mixing bowl or serving bowl. Allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes.
- While the quinoa is cooling, chiffonade the basil by stacking the leaves and rolling lengthwise. Then thinly slice the leaves into ribbons.
- When the quinoa is cool enough to touch, fold in the black pepper, lemon zest, lemon juice and basil leaves and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm.
Notes
A note on the provided nutrition information
The nutrition information provided has been estimated by an online nutrition calculator and is not a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.Nutrition
This article was written in 2018 and most recently updated in September 2024 with new links, graphics and instruction clarification.Â
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