Quinoa is known as the “mother of all grains”. For those who are new to cooking with Quinoa, please refer this.
This has got high protein content and it comes in different colours – white, red and black. In this recipe, I have used all white, red and black quinoa together. This is a superfood and is also high in calcium and magnesium which are very essential for good health.
Another useful info – This is completely gluten- free.
Quinoa can be used in place of rice for many recipes. Here, I have tried a mixed vegetable version. You can add or substitute any ingredient according to your taste buds. Traditionally, Pulav is made with vegetables and rice cooked together. But in this version, I have cooked Quinoa separately to make it a bit dry. I have tried both versions, but preferred the dry version to the wet one.
Ingredients:
| Mixed colour Quinoa | 2 cups |
| Chopped onions | 1/2 cup |
| Mixed veggies(I used french beans and carrots) | 1 cup |
| Water | 4 cups |
| Cinamon stick | 1 small |
| Bay leaf | 1 crushed |
| Chopped ginger | 1 tsp |
| Pav Bhaji Masala / Garam Masala | 2 tsp |
| Oil | as needed |
| Salt | as needed |
Preparation:
Wash the quinoa very well with the help of a strainer. This is a very important step. Quinoa has a bitter coating and if it is not washed properly the dish would also be bitter.
Cooking method:
1. Boil water in a wide pan and when it comes to boil, add the quinoa with enough salt. The flame should also be adjusted for best results – first 5 minutes on high flame, next 5 minutes on medium and the last 5 minutes on low flame. That makes it 15 minutes in total. Once the quinoa gets cooked, fluff it up with a fork. It is going to be perfect. In case you find it a bit watery, you can drain it again. The idea is to keep it dry. I do not find mushy quinoa to be appealing. But again, it is up to you. If you want your Pulav to be a bit mushy, go ahead..
2. In another pan, add enough oil. When the oil becomes hot, add bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
3. Add chopped onions, chopped veggies (I did not cook the veggies separately. I like them to be a bit crunchy).
3. Saute the veggies and then add the masala. I used Pav Bhaji Masala. Add salt and mix well. Let the masala lose its raw taste. You can sprinkle a few drops of water at this stage.
4. Mix the cooked quinoa with the veggies. Check for salt again. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes and switch off the flame.
5. Yummy and nutritious Quinoa Pulav is ready.
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