Ekadashi is a very auspicious day, suitable for fasting from grains. This humble fasting can be turned into feasting with Quinoa Pulao. Quinoa, a substitute for grain is filled with lots of nutrients including fiber and protein. Today is auspicious Putrada Ekadashi. So I thought of writing about this recipe. This recipe goes well with cucumber Dahi Raita.
Ingredients:
One cup quinoa
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 green chili (optional)
Few curry leaves
1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
1/4 cup sliced carrots
1/4 cup Broccoli and cauliflower florets
1/4 cup zucchini cut into cubes
1/4 cup bell peppers cut into slices
1/4 cup shredded cabbage
olive oil
Black pepper
Lemon juice
Procedure
Wash quinoa in 3 to 4 cups of water thoroughly and drain the water. let it rest in the colander or any container till you cut the vegetables. Prewashing is necessary to avoid a slightly bitter taste.
Cut all the vegetables into small cubes, wash them and keep them aside.
in a pan, add 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil. Once the oil is warm, add cumin seeds, let them splutter. Add grated ginger, green chili, and curry leaves.
Next add all the vegetables cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, bell pepper, and carrots. Add salt as per your taste and mix them well,
Now add prewashed quinoa to the vegetables and cook for one minute.
Add one and a half cup of water to the pan and bring it to a boil. After 5 minutes simmer the stove and cover the lid. Let the quinoa get cooked on a lower flame.
Squeeze some lemon juice and sprinkle black pepper powder before serving. Garnish with coriander leaves.
*** If you feel your quinoa is a little dry and not fully cooked, then add one to tablespoon water while cooking. You can add fried paneer cubes to quinoa pulao to make it richer.