Quinoa upma

Who said eating healthy has to be boring? Not with this curried quinoa recipe. This spicy quinoa upma is as healthy as it can get with loads of veggies and the super healthy quinoa. We find quinoa in the health aisles of all supermarkets these days and rightly so as this protein packed grain is also rich in iron, magnesium, and fiber. Its fluffy texture makes it an ideal substitute for rice and other starchy grains for all us health fanatics out there. This upma makes a good lunch box recipe or you could also whip it up for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 onion chopped
• 1/2 tomato chopped
• 1/4 cup mixed vegetables of your choice (I used corn and bell peppers)
• 1 tsp sambar powder or garam masala
• 3-4 curry leaves
• 3-4 green chillies slit
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp urad dhal
• a pinch of asafoetida
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
• salt to taste
• water for cooking

Method:

Cook the quinoa according to package instructions with some salt to taste until they are fluffy and soft. Set it aside.

In a pan, add 1 tbsp coconut oil. When hot, temper with mustard seeds, cumin, urad dhal, asafoetida, curry leaves and green chillies.

Add the chopped onions and saute until the onions are soft and translucent. Then add the chopped tomatoes, vegetables (you could add peas, potatoes, carrots, beans, broccoli, corn, bell peppers), turmeric powder, sambar powder and saute until the tomatoes and vegetables are cooked.

Add the cooked quinoa to the vegetable mixture and mix well.

Adjust salt as per taste and garnish with finely chopped coriander leaves. Serve hot with some yogurt and papad.