Quinoa Upma

Recipe by Cook's Hideout

Quinoa is such a versatile grain, just like rice, but nutritionally way better than rice. I love the way quinoa swells up with the distinct white ring and the kernel turning transparent – it’s just beautiful. I also like the slightly nutty bite and taste that the cooked grains have. I use quinoa pretty much like rice and make pilafs or even pulihora with it. When I saw this recipe for Quinoa upma in India Cookbook by Pushpesh Pant, I wanted to try it right away. I don’t know if it happens to you too but sometimes when I see...

Ingredients

• ⅔ cup quinoa
• 1 red chili (Dry)
• 1 tsp Mustard seeds
• 20 curry leaves
• 1 onion (- large, finely chopped)
• 1 green Chili (- slit vertically)
• cup almond meal (" - finely grated)
• 1 tomato (- coarsely chopped)
• cup almond meal (Red (or to taste))
• 1 tbsp cilantro (- finely chopped)
• cup almond meal
• to taste Salt
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method

1. Soak quinoa for 15 minutes. Then drain and rinse with cold water. Add quinoa and 1¼ cups of water to a heavy-bottom pan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer covered for about 18-20 minutes or until the grains are cooked and the characteristic white ring around the kernel is formed.
2. Heat tbsp oil in a sauté pan over medium heat, add the dry red chili and mustard seeds and once the seeds start to splutter, add the curry leaves and fry till they are nice and crisp.
3. Add the onions and cook until they start to turn golden, about 6-8 minutes. Next add the green chili and ginger and stir for 1 minute.
4. Add the chopped tomato, salt and red chili powder and cook until tomatoes turn mushy and the mixture starts to dry out.
5. Add the cooked quinoa and cook until heated through.
6. Finish with sugar, sprinkling of cilantro and lemon juice. Mix well and serve hot.

View the recipe instructions at Cook's Hideout