My mom’s neighbor, Jaya aunty invited us over for dinner. I love when people from different parts and cooking styles invite us for dinner because there are new sources of inspiration. She made us a feast! Among the delicious south Indian fare was a quinoa pulao, made andhra style, almost like a biryani. The fact that it was made with quinoa made me feel so good about eating it! Quinoa is high in protein and is a healthy carb. It was sautéed with veggies, spices and had soya chunks in it to give additional texture and protein. The dish was topped with fried onions and cashews. A cool cucumber, tomato and onion raita on the side is a perfect complement for this warm, spicy pulao. This recipe is not vegan, but the pulao can be made vegan. A vegan alternative to raita can be a cucumber salad, omitting the yogurt. A big thank you to Jaya aunty for sharing this delicious recipe!
(Nutrella soy chunks)
Quinoa Pulao
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa rinsed
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1/2 cup Nutrella found in most indian stores
- 1/4 cup peas a handfull of carrot sticks, any other veggies as desired (I added cauliflower)
- 3-4 tsp of ghee (this adds a lot of flavor but as a vegan option, canola oil is perfectly acceptable!
- Spices: whole cinnamon stick bay leaves, coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala, turmeric, red chilli powder
- Garnish: Fried onions coriander, cashwews
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Soak Nutrela for 2-3 hours. Squeeze out water well. Cut in half if desired.
- Cook quinoa in rice cooker with 2 cups of water.
- Heat 2 tsp of ghee in a skillet, 1 tsp oil. Add a cinnamon stick and a bay leaf.
- Once the oil is hot add chopped onions, Saute for a few minutes and add the nutrela chunks.
- Add 2 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp chilli powder and 1 tsp turmeric powder.
- Stir and add all the vegetables. Add 1-2 tsp salt and stir fry until cooked.
- Mix in the quinoa and a 2 tsp ghee or oil.
- Garnish with cilantro, fried onions and cashews. Yum!
Cilantro- Mint Raita
Cilantro-Mint Raita
Ingredients
- Whole milk yogurt
- 1 large vine ripened tomato or 2 small tomatoes
- 1/2 English cucumber seeded and peeled
- 1/2 red onion. some people don't like how strong the onion is so use to taste
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Cumin powder red chilli powder, garam masala if desired
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Chop veggies finely
- Add 1 cup of yogurt to a bowl and add in some water
- Season the yogurt with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp of cumin powder, and a pinch of red chilli powder. (You can sprinkle with garam masala if desired)
- Add in veggies and stir
- If it is too thick, add more water, if too watery, add yogurt
- Garnish with chopped herbs, about a handful of cilantro and a few sprigs of mint
- Serve with the spicy quinoa pulao for a cooling effect
Makes 4-5 servings
So, so beautiful
Amazing recipe, amazing photos, love it!!
Thank you so much!