Quinoa Veg Pulao | Protein Packed Veg Pulao

Quinoa is considered one of the world's healthiest foods.It is loaded with protein,fiber and minerals and is gluten free.Quinoa is a complete protein consisting of all nine essential amino acids and so regarded as a 'super food'.It is light and fluffy in texture and easily fills up as like eating whole grains.I had earlier tried the quinoa idlis which tastes delicious too,check that out if you haven't and I had a request from one of the readers to post more quinoa recipes.And here it is friend as promised,yet another simple and satisfying meal.The first time I made this pulao,it just vanished before I could click any pics.However,this time I made it a point to click pics before serving.I made it mildly spiced for kids to enjoy but you can add more spices as per tolerance.It has no special tastes of its own and so can be easily mixed up with recipes of our style.Try & enjoy !!

Ingredients
to cook
quinoa 1 cup
water 2 cups
ghee 1tbsp
turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
cinnamon 1" stick
cloves 2
cardamom 2
bay leaf 1
salt to taste

for pulao
onion 1 finely chopped
ginger garlic paste 1tbsp
tomato 1 chopped
carrot 1 or 1 cup chopped
green peas 1/2 cup(frozen)
chilly powder 1/2 tsp
garam masala 1/4 tsp

salt to taste
oil 2tbsp

to garnish
cilantro chopped 2tbsp
mint leaves 2tbsp
lemon juice 1tbsp

Method

• Rinse the quinoa under running water holding in a sieve.In the mean time,heat ghee in a cooker.Add in the whole spices;cinnamon ,cloves,cardamom and bay leaf.Fry till its fragrant,and add the turmeric powder on low flame.Now,add 2 cups of water,salt to taste and bring this to a boil.When the water starts boiling,add the rinsed quinoa.Reduce the flame to medium and cook the quinoa covered until done.
• Heat oil in another wok.Add in the onion when hot,saute until translucent.Add in the ginger -garlic paste and saute until raw smell disappears.Add the spice powders and saute till its nice and fragrant.
• Add in the chopped tomatoes and cook until it turns mushy.Now,transfer the chopped carrots and green peas in it.Toss it well with a dash of salt.
• Add 1/4 cup water and cook covered for 5 mins on medium flame.The water tends to get evaporated and the carrots gets 3/4 th cooked.
• Transfer the cooked quinoa and mix well.Cover and leave for 3 mins on low flame.Garnish with chopped cilantro and mint leaves and lemon juice.Switch off flame,serve warm with raitha.(We had with mint raitha)

Serves ~ 2 adults

NOTES
*You can add more vegetables like green bell pepper,red bell peppers,beans.I generally don't add bell peppers in pulao as kids don't favor it much.
* You can replace the ghee with oil if you wish but ghee adds a nice flavor to the pulao.
* You can even add fried cashews or almonds for garnish.