Start by cooking the quinoa. Rinse and drain 1 cup of quinoa under cold water. In a small saucepan, add the rinsed quinoa along with 1 and 1/2 cups of either water or vegetable broth. Bring it to a light boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when all the liquid is absorbed, and the quinoa looks fluffy.
While the quinoa is cooking, it’s time to prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the onion and bell pepper. Next, slice the mushrooms and cut the asparagus into one to two-inch pieces, removing any woody ends. This ensures they cook evenly and are tender.
Now, take a large wok or skillet and place it over medium-high heat. Add the toasted sesame oil to the hot pan. Once the oil is shimmering, carefully add the sliced onions to the pan. Sauté them for about three to four minutes, or until they become translucent and fragrant.
Next, add the sliced bell pepper, mushrooms, asparagus, and snow peas to the wok. Stir everything together and sauté for six to seven minutes. Keep an eye on them, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are crisp-tender and vibrant in color.
While the vegetables are cooking, let’s prepare the stir-fry sauce. Mince the garlic and place it in a small bowl. Add the tamari, vegetable broth, and cornstarch to the bowl. Whisk everything together until well combined. This will be the flavorful sauce that brings your dish together.
Once the vegetables are at the perfect texture, reduce the heat to medium-low. Whisk the stir-fry sauce again to ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved, and pour it over the sautéed veggies. Stir well to coat everything evenly, and continue to sauté for two to three minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Finally, it's time to assemble your bowls. Take the cooked quinoa and divide it among four bowls. Top each bowl generously with the saucy stir-fried veggies. For an extra touch, sprinkle with sesame seeds and add more tamari if desired.
Serve the Quinoa Vegetable Stir Fry warm and enjoy the delightful medley of flavors!