Quinoa is a seed with a pleasant nutty taste and has high protein content. Here’s a healthy and tasty quinoa pulav that goes really well with carrot raita (recipe below).
Quinoa Pulav recipe
Ingredients (Serves 2)
1. Quinoa – 1 cup
Water – 2 cups
Oil / ghee – 1 tsp
Salt – To taste
Turmeric powder – 1 pinch
2. Oil / ghee – 1.5 tbsp
3. Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp
Whole spice – Bay leaf – 1, cloves – 3, whole pepper corns – 3, cardamom – 2, cinnamon stick – 1/2 inch
Cashews – 8 (optional)
4. Ginger – 1 tsp, minced
Garlic – 1 tsp, minced
Onion – 3 tbsp, chopped
5. Carrot – 1/4 cup, cut into small cubes
Bell pepper / green beans / fresh green peas – 3 – 4 tbsp
6. Garam masala powder – 1/4 tsp
7. Lemon juice – 1 tsp
8. Cilantro – 2 – 3 tbsp, finely chopped
Method
1. Place quinoa in a fine mesh colander and wash thoroughly under cold running water. Drain well and put it in a pan along with 2 cups of water, enough salt, a pinch of turmeric powder and a tsp of oil / ghee. Cover and cook at medium-low heat for about 15 mts until done. Fluff the cooked quinoa and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a pan at medium heat. Splutter cumin seeds and fry whole spices until fragrant. Fry cashews until golden. Add ginger, garlic, green chilies and chopped onion. Saute for a minute. Add carrots and bell pepper / green beans/ peas etc. Saute for 2 – 3 minutes until veggies are almost done. Add garam masala powder and cook for a few seconds . Next add cooked quinoa. Mix well and cook for 1 – 2 minutes. Finally sprinkle lemon juice and mix well. Switch off. Garnish with chopped cilantro.
Carrot Raita Recipe
Ingredients
1. Carrot – 1 medium-small or 1/2 cup, grated
2. Yoghurt – 3/4 – 1 cup, beaten
Cilantro – 2 tbsp, finely chopped
Green chilly – 1 small, cut into thin rounds
Sugar – 1/4 tsp
Chat masala – 2 pinches or to taste
Salt – To taste
To season
3. Oil – 1.5 tsp
Mustard seeds – 1/4 tsp
Cumin seeds – 1/4 tsp
Curry leaves – A few
Method
1. Place grated carrot in a bowl, sprinkle a tbsp water and microwave for 1 minute. Alternatively steam cook for a minute. Cool down. (Cooking the grated carrots is optional. You can directly use it in the raita.) Add yoghurt, cilantro, green chilly, sugar, chat masala, salt and mix well.
2. Heat 1.5 tsp oil in a small pan. Splutter mustard seeds, cumin seeds and fry curry leaves. Pour over the carrot raita. Mix well and serve this delicious carrot raita with the prepared quinoa pulav. Enjoy!
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