Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf Recipe- Gluten Free- Protein Rich- Healthy

Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf Recipe- Gluten Free- Protein Rich- Healthy: Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf recipe is Gluten Free, Protein Rich, and a super healthy dish. Quinoa is an edible seed that has become increasingly popular. It’s loaded with many important nutrients, including fiber, protein, folate, and magnesium.  It is also high in fiber, naturally gluten-free, and a good source of protein. Today we will include this healthy seed in our diet by preparing Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf. We can say that it is almost like the vegetable pulao we cook in our Indian kitchen. Pilaf is usually made with rice, but the nutty flavor of quinoa is an excellent canvas for the colors of the spices.

Still, looking for reasons to try this recipe? Let me tell you a few-

• It is super quick.
• Great source of plant-based proteins.
• It is Gluten Free.
• You can have this super filling one-pot dish at Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner
• Very few spices and ingredients.
• Super easy.

How to make Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf

Course: – Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner

Total Cook Time: – 30 minutes

Serving: – 3

Calories: – 324/serving

Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf Ingredients

1¼ cups quinoa

1 red onion, diced

1 carrot, diced

1 tablespoon coriander seeds or Coriander powder

2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)

2 teaspoons minced ginger

1 Green Chili minced (substitute ½ to 1 jalapeno for less heat)

2 tomatoes chopped

1 cup sliced baby spinach (or kale or mustard greens), stripped from stems

½ teaspoon ground cardamom

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon rock salt

1 tablespoon Olive Oil

Optional: 2 tablespoons silvered almonds (Almonds -peeled, split & cut into tiny strips)

Vegetable Quinoa Pilaf Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse Quinoa – Place the quinoa in a large sieve and rinse it until the water runs clear.
2. Heat a medium sauté pan over medium heat with 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil. Add the onion and carrot and cook until they are just soft, about 3 minutes. Add the coriander cook for 1 minute.
3. Add the garlic, ginger, and chili and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, baby spinach, cardamom, cinnamon, and salt and cook for about 1 minute.
4. Add the uncooked quinoa and cook, stirring occasionally for a couple more minutes.
5. Add 2 cups of water and half teaspoon of rock salt. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to low so that the quinoa and water are simmering while the pan is partially covered (enough to let out some steam).
6. Simmer for 20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and put into a large serving bowl. Fluff up with a fork.
7. Add silvered almonds, if desired.

Nutritional Values

Per serving: 324 calories, 15.6 g protein, 62 g carbohydrate, 4 g sugar, 5 g total fat, 14 % calories from fat, 9 g fiber

Some Healthy Tips

1. Use Stainless Steel or cast-iron pan.
2. You can add other healthy vegetables like beans, peas etc.
3. You can use Steamed Quinoa (Takes 20 minutes). In that case just add Quinoa after stirring vegetables at least for 5 minutes. And just stir once to mix properly.
4. We can use Organic ingredient to make this dish healthier.

Have a Happy and Healthy Eating