Veggie Quinoa Pilaf

Veggie Quinoa Pilaf is just like vegetable rice pulao; replacing rice with quinoa making it more healthy. Check out information regarding benefits, how to clean and cook quinoa here. Before making any dish make sure to give good rinse or wash 2-3 times to quinoa to get rid of its bitter coating.

A wonderfully nutritious side dish featuring quinoa, a super-grain that contains more protein than wheat, rice or millet. Give it a try to this pilaf, delicious yet much healthy.

Sending pilaf to healthy morsel - pregnancy event.

Time: 20 minutes

Serve: 4 

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water or vegetable broth

1 small potato(chopped in square)

1/4 cup green peas

1/4 cup peanuts

1 small eggplant(chopped in square)

1 onion(chopped)

1 bay leaf

1 cinnamon stick

2 cardamom pods

4 black pepper 

1 tsp turmeric power

2 tsp red chili powder

2 tsp garam masala

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 tsp mustard seeds

4-5 curry leaves

1 tbsp oil

salt to taste

1 tsp lemon juice

Method:

1. Heat oil in deep skillet, once hot add cumin seeds, mustard seeds and curry leaves. Let spatter for a minute. then add whole spices; bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cardamom pods and back pepper. Saute for a minute.

2. Add onion and stir for few minutes or until translucent. Now add veggies; potatoes, eggplant, grean peas and peanut. Stir well.

3. Add spices; turmeric power, red chili powder to taste and garam masala. Cook for 3 minutes more, stirring occasionally. 

4. Wash or clean quinoa thoroughly. Now add quinoa and saute for a minute. Add water or vegetable broth. 

5. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer, cover and cook 15 minutes, or until quinoa is tender and fluffy.

6. Add lemon juice, mix well and serve hot.

Note:

1. Add your choice of veggies to make it whole some like carrot, sweet potato, green peas, eggplant, squash and many more.
2. Also add nuts like peanut, walnut, pecans, cashew.
3. Herbs like mint, coriander, parsley and thyme goes well here, I have not added any herb.