Looking for a nutritious and delicious way to spice up your dinner routine? Try this slow cooker Mexican quinoa and rice dish! It's packed with protein, fiber and flavor, and it's perfect for a busy weeknight. Plus, it reheats well so you can enjoy leftovers all week long.

I've talked a good bit about how much the boys and I enjoy cooking together. I am so proud that they are able to prepare meals for themselves, and will even cook a simple meal for the family sometimes.
My boys are picky eaters, but one thing I'm thrilled about now that we are cooking on a regular basis is that if they cook it they are much more likely to try it.
Since the boys and I have been in the kitchen on a near daily basis, I thought I'd share some tips for getting your kids involved in cooking.
Tips for Getting Your Kids Involved In Cooking
The biggest things that changed for us with cooking was my attitude. Don't be afraid to let them make big messes and don't expect perfection.
Along the big messes line, DO get them involved in age appropriate clean up. One of my boys loves to scrub pots, and the other is great with a broom and dust buster. Knowing they are going to help clean up makes me much more relaxed when a cup of flour goes flying across the room.
Make it sacred time. Most kids (at least up to a certain age) love any time where they have mom or dad's undivided attention. This is especially true in today's digital world. I don't check my email or phone when we are cooking together. It is their time.
Believe it or not, TV can be a great motivator to cook, especially for boys. Neither of my boys consider cooking to be strictly for women. Since I do 95% of the cooking in our house, I can only assume it's because they've watched so much TV with me and associate cooking with strong male chefs.
Although cooking with my kids means they are much more likely to try things, it is still important to respect their likes and dislikes. Don't destroy their joy of cooking by making their least favorite dish together.
Let them help you pick out what you are cooking. I keep most of my recipes in Evernote, and I make a folder of things the boys and I might like to cook together. I then let them go through the folder and make the final choice.
If your children are old enough, let them be in charge of reading the recipe and getting the ingredients out. My boys treat it like a scavenger hunt. (I'm not sure what that says about my kitchen organization.)
Learn to step back. I'm so used to doing everything in the kitchen, I realized that I was over-managing the boys. Once you've taught them basis skills, let them use them without further instruction. The sense of pride they get from successfully completing a new to them task is amazing.
Start small. We are working on the boys being able to do at least 80% of a recipe by themselves. I'm keeping these recipes simple, like today's Mexican Rice. They can do everything in this recipe with little supervision.
Slow Cooker Mexican Quinoa & Rice
Ingredients
Instructions
- Spray slow cooker with vegetable spray. Add rice, quinoa, olive oil, salt and chili powder.
- In a saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a simmer. (The point just before boiling.) Whisk in tomato paste and garlic and pour over quinoa and rice.
- Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. Remove lid and place a clean towel over the slow cooker. Replace lid and allow to sit for 5 to 10 minutes.
Js Richardson
This is my standard base: quinoa/brown rice. Works well with curry and Mexican seasonings
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Ashley
Simple and perfect! This will be a staple for us.
lori
can you make this in advance and heat up over the stove when ready to serve (day or two later)? this looks amazing!
Wendy Polisi
Yes, that would work! I like to make it to have on hand so I can quickly make a grain bowl for lunch.
Josephine
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for sharing your recipes and knowledge that us folks that need gluten free recipes and recommendations. I have a question. I do not have an instant cooker and I am assuming that I can cook this the old fashioned way. If not can you tell me what the best way is to accomplish this delicious recipe. Thank you so much.
Josephine
Wendy Polisi
You could cook it on the stove top for about 20 minutes!