Ingredients

  • 2 cups quinoa
  • 2 large eggs beaten
  • 3/4 cup sundried tomatoes oil-packed
  • 2 tablespoons sundried tomato oil from oil-pcaked
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 23 cup goat (chevre) cheese crumbled
  • 3 cups basil leaves, fresh loosely packed
  • 1/2 cup pine nuts lightly toasted
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3/4 cup parmesan, parmigiano-reggiano cheese, grated
  • 28 each cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 whole garlic a head, top trimmed to expose cloves
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 medium sweet red bell peppers halved and seeded
  • 2 large mushrooms, portabello chopped
  • 1 large white onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Method

  • Preheat oven to 400F (200C).
  • Prepare the vegetables:
  • Arrange cherry tomatoes and garlic, cut side up, on parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
  • Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper.
  • Add red peppers to sheet, cut side down.
  • Roast in the oven until garlic is softened, peppers blister and tomatoes begin to be dark around the edges, 30 to 32 minutes.
  • Let them cool enough for you to handle.
  • You can turn off the oven now.
  • Then squeeze garlic pulps.
  • Peel and slice peppers.
  • Set aside.
  • At the same time, in a large non-stick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium high heat, add mushrooms, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, saute mushrooms until tender, set aside.
  • Clean the skillet pan.
  • Heat another 1 tablespoon oil over medium-low heat, cook onions, stir often, until onions start to caramelize, 30 to 32 minutes.
  • Stir in 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar.
  • Set aside.
  • At the meantime, in a large pot and saucepan, heat 23 pot or saucepan water until boiling, put quinoa in the boiling water, cook until tender, 12 minutes.
  • Drain and rinse, shaking in colander to remove excess water.
  • Transfer quinoa to a large bowl, fluff with a fork.
  • Let cool.
  • Add eggs, tossing to coat.
  • Set aside.
  • Then in a food processor, blend sun-dried tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes oil, half of the roasted garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper until still slightly chuncky.
  • Toss the mixture with 1 3/4 cups quinoa, press into a greased 9-inch springform pan.
  • Put the roasted cherry tomatoes, red peppers and half of the goat cheese on top, set aside.
  • Then in the cleaned food processor, mix basil leaves, pine nuts, left garlic, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper until smooth.
  • Toss with another 1 3/4 cups quinoa.
  • Press into pan, put the caramelized onions, mushrooms and left goat cheese.
  • Preheat oven again to 350F (180C).
  • Then toss 1/2 cup parmesan cheese with the remaining quinoa.
  • Press the mixture into the pan, now the pan looks almost full, don't worry, just use spatula to press the quinoa mixture, it will be fine.
  • Sprinkle the left parmesan cheese on top evenly.
  • Wrap the bottom of springform pan with double foil paper.
  • Bake in oven for 50 to 60 minutes, until crusty and golden brown.
  • Cool for about 15 minutes.
  • Serve warm.