Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Coconut quinoa

Quinoa is a very interesting grain and a nutrition storehouse .. Lot of the recipes I have found online have a western tinge to them. A lot of the entrees and preparations didn't seem to naturally belong with quinoa as they would with rice or bread for example.
This recipe feels like it has arrived as far as quinoa was concerned.

quinoa - 1 cup
coconut (shredded frozen/fresh) - 1/2 cup
mustard seeds - 1 tsp
urad dal (black gram lentils) - 1 tsp
Peanuts - 1/4 cup
dried red chillies - 2-3
curry leaves - few
oil - 1 tsp
salt to taste

To cook quinoa add 2 cups of water, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes until completely dry and al dente. (If using half a cup of quinoa add 1 cup of water and cook for 10-15 minutes).
In a pan, add the oil, mustard seeds, black lentils, peanuts, chillies and curry leaves and let it sputter.
Add coconut and fry till it is dry and browned a little bit.
Add cooked quinoa and salt and toss. Serve by itself or with kadhi/kootu.