Vegetable Quinoa Pulao

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Quinoa – here is another latest craze buzzing around … What exactly is this Quinoa? It is generally agreed as an ancient grain but is actually a seed which can be cooked just like any other whole grains such as rice or barley. Its gluten free, rich in protein, iron and fiber. Don’t confuse Quinoa with millets, they are totally different but taste similar.  If i try anything new the first time and if I do like it… it will be incorporated in idli dosa for a safe trial… if it scores a pass mark then it goes into other dishes. You must have already read my post on Quinoa Idli Dosa.. and now it’s slowly taking over the place of rice in my kitchen. I really didn’t like it with sambar rasam or curd but suits beautifully for any kind of mixed rice / stir fry dish. I make this easy vegetable pulao for my hubby’s lunch box once a week and it comes clean with no.complaints what so ever… with simple rata or curry it will fill up your tummy with healthy nutrients.

Quinoa can be cooked over by stove top or an electric rice cooker or pressure cooker. Cooking Quinoa in the rice cooker is very easy and fool-proof, just blindly follow the measurements and cook quinoa in any liquid of your choice (water / veggie broth / chicken broth / light coconut milk)  and you have beautiful fluffy quinoa every time. Here is the table

Always rinse quinoa to get off the bitterness and to get rid of the coating.  Using a fine mesh seive rinse organic quinoa in cold water. Transfer the washed quinoa into your rice cooker and add the desired liquid and about 1/2 teaspoon of salt and cook. Regular rice cooker will beep after about 20 minutes, unplug and allow the quinoa to set sometime and then fluff with a fork. If you want more softer texture then increase the liquid measure by 1/2 cup.

Cook quinoa the way you wanted and keep aside.

Let’s make the vegetable gravy… heat oil in a pan, add little cumin seeds and and start frying the onions & chopped green chilies. Let them brown a bit and then add ginger & garlic. Fry them until slightly tender. Followed by chopped tomatoes along with veggies of your choice. Add a pinch of sugar, salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder & garam masala. Mix and stir fry for few minutes, cover and cook over low flame for 6-7 minutes or until the veggies becomes tender.

Now add the cooked quinoa to this and mix to coat the masala all over. Again cover and cook over very low flame for 5 minutes just for the quinoa to absorb the flavor from the masala. Switch of, garnish with coriader leaves and serve. Have it plain or serve with any raita or curry of choice!

Notes

• Sugar is added to keep the color of the veggies intact. It is purely optional.
• Adjust salt based on your taste.
• Adjust water level to get the desired textured quinoa.
• Timed electric cooker takes about 30 minutes for fluffy quinoa.
• Quinoa does not belong to millet family but do taste similar.