Quinoa is a very popular health food that is rich in protein, fibre, iron, potassium and what not! This super food is gluten free and non GMO grain.
I got to know about quinoa only after shifting to USA and my first try was a store bought instant cook flavored quinoa . But it tasted so bad that we resisted eating it after the first experience.
I didn’t want to give up after the first try. I decided to give an Indian twist to quinoa and bingo! It turned out to be very delicious:)
Here is one recipe which turns out absolutely perfect and delicious ?
Ingredients:
INGREDIENTS:
Quinoa – 2 cups
Water – 3.25 cups
Ginger – 1/4 inch – chopped finely
Garlic – 1 Clove – chopped finely
Curry leaves – few
Salt – to taste
To grind:
Coriander leaves – 1/2 bunch
Mint leaves – few (about 3-4)
Green chillies – 2
Tamarind paste – 1/4 tsp
Sugar – 1/4 tsp (to retain the color of the paste after grinding)
For tempering:
Oil / ghee – 1 tbsp
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp
Peppercorns – 1/2 tsp
Cloves – 2
Cinnamon – 1/2 inch stick
Bay leaf – 1
Star anise – 1
Mustard seeds – 1/2 tsp
Urad dal – 1/2 tsp
Peanuts / raw groundnuts – a handful
Dry red chillies – 2
Method:
METHOD:
P.S : I used instapot for making this. But you can also use an electric rice cooker or use exact same recipe in a normal pressure cooker by cooking for just 2 whistles on high.
Grind together the ingredients mentioned under ‘To grind’ section using little water. Keep it aside.
In an instapot (sauté mode on normal heat) or rice cooker or normal pressure cooker, heat oil on medium heat.
Add cumin seeds, peppercorns, cloves, cinnamon, star anise, bay leaf, mustard seeds and urad dal. Sauté well till done.
Then add the ginger, garlic, curry leaves, peanuts and dry red chillies. Sauté for 3-4 minutes or till the peanuts are roasted and the raw smell of the garlic is gone.
Now add the ground paste and sauté till the raw smell fades away.
At this point add the washed quinoa, salt and mix well.
Add the required amount of water, mix well and check for salt.
If using instapot, turn off sauté mode, close the lid and cook the Quinoa in manual, high pressure for 8 minutes (Natural release).
Note: if using rice cooker, just cook as you do for the rice.
Once done, serve hot with onion-tomato raita 🙂
Full recipe: Quinoa Pulao