Quinoa Pulao

Quinoa is more a vegetable than a grain. It is tasty, a go-to diet for weight watchers and it is rich in fiber. Quinoa grain has balanced amount of amino acid, vitamins, minerals, fibers and proteins. It will satisfy your hunger and not make you feel deprived. The fiber found in quinoa will reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.It is a replacement for rice. For the first time,I had no idea how to cook it. But thanks to my sister, she gave me this healthy and delicious recipe. It can be cooked in many ways, one such is pulav. Stay tuned for many different dishes using Quinoa. This post is dedicated to my sister :) Here you go with the recipe. 
                         

Ingredients

Quinoa & Water	1cup & 1 1/2 cups
Onion (chopped)	1
Oil	2 tbsp
Carrot ( chopped to cubes)	1
Beans ( chopped to medium)	8-10
Green peas	½ cup
Capsicum ( chopped to cubes)	½
Tofu ( cut into cubes)	1cup
Lime juice	½
Red chili powder	1 tsp
Coriander powder	1 tsp
Cumin powder	½ tsp
Turmeric powder	¼ tsp
Cumin seeds	½ tsp
Bay leaf	1
Cardamom	2
Cinnamon stick	1
Cloves	2
Pepper	2

Grind to paste 

Green chilies	2
Garlic	5
Ginger	1inch
Coriander	Hand full
Mint	Hand full

                               

                                    

Method 

• Wash quinoa 3-4 time and soak for 30 minutes.
• In a skillet heat oil, add bay leaf, cardamom and cinnamon stick. Meanwhile powder cloves and pepper. Now add the powder and cumin seeds. 
• When the cumin seeds starts to splutter, add onion fry till it turns transparent pink color. Then add carrot, beans and green peas with a pinch of salt for the vegetables. Give it a fry for 2 minutes without changing the color of the vegetables.
• After the vegetables are half cooked add the ground paste, give it a fry for 2 minutes.

                                     

• Then add red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and garam masala powder. Mix well until the masala coats with vegetables. 
• Now drain the water from the quinoa and add it to the masala mixture, give it a quick stir. 
• Add water and allow it to boil, at that time add salt for quinoa and give a mix. Reduce the flame to as low as possible and close it with the lid and cook for 30 minutes without disturbing it.

                                   

• Meanwhile in a pan add 1 tsp of oil, add tofu, give it a stir, then add salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder and cumin powder. Fry till the tofu gets golden brown color, now add capsicum and saute for only 2 minutes (it should not be cooked for a longtime because capsicum must have a crispy taste in the dish). Once done, turn off the flame and keep it aside.

                                 

• Now check if the quinoa is cooked.Take a fork and fluff the quinoa, at that time add the tofu and capsicum to it. After fluffing it, close with the lid and give it 5 minutes of resting time.
• Once done serve it hot with mint cilantro raita, chips or you can have as such. 

                              

Tips

• If you soak the quinoa for 30 minutes then water should be 1 1/2 cups, otherwise 2 cups should be added.  
• Always wash the quinoa several times, so that the impurities are washed away.
• Cook the quinoa in low flame as mentioned in the steps.
• If you want quinoa to be sticky then you can add little more water while cooking.   

Do check our other Tofu recipe veggie tofu fry   

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