Friday, January 28, 2011

Quinoa Katte Pongali / Quinoa Pongal



I have started experimenting with 'quinoa' only very recently. I tried it at a friend's place and I found very interesting, versatile, not to forget healthy and  simply cute.
Cute?? ya the grains are so tiny and so cute...:))

It is so versatile because it can take on any added flavors just like rice.
Its full of protein and a good substitute for non-meat eaters, to get their daily protein.
I have been seeing so many quinoa related recipes and I was very eager to try it out.
Quinoa being a so healthy, I am determined to make it a part of my diet. Even if not every day, maybe once a week is a good thing isn't it?...:)


The way you know that quinoa is cooked, is when a tiny twisted tail grows out of the grain and the grain becomes translucent! For Pongal I wanted it to be much softer, so I cooked it a little longer. If you don't want it soft, add less water and cover cook on low heat when all the water is absorbed, just like rice.

Makes about 2 - 3servings

Ingredients:

3/4 cup quinoa
1/4 cup pesar pappu, moong daal

3 1/2 cup water
pinch of turmeric
salt to taste

1/2 onion, chopped
3-4 green chillies, chopped
1 tbsp cashew nuts

tempering:

1 tsp ginger grated
1/2 tsp black peppercorns
1/4 tsp mustard seeds
1/4 tsp jeera, cumin seeds
pinch of hing, inguva, asfoetida
1 dry red chilly, broken
few curry leaves
1/2 tbsp oil

Method:

Dry roast pesar pappu until light brown. Wash when cold.
Wash Quinoa atleast 3-4 times.

Mix the roasted moong daal with quinoa,add salt and turmeric, add 3 1/2 cup water and cook until all the water is absorbed. Cover and let cook on low heat till soft and fluffy. Add the onions and green chillies. Keep cooking till soft. Add some more water if required.

Prepare for tempering by heating 1/2 tbsp oil. Roast the cashew nuts till brown.
Add the mustard seeds, jeera, black peppercorns, ginger, red chilly, hing and curry leaves. When everything splutters, add to the cooked quinoa. Mix well.

Serve hot with chutney or plain.
Enjoy!!!



Quinoa on FoodistaQuinoa






22 comments:

  1. Very healthy, perfect for this weekend breakfast.

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  2. There is nothing better and healthier than Quinoa Smitha. Looks fab. will give it a try this weekend.

    Hope all is well.

    Siri

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  3. Looks yum and what a idea ...gud one dear

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  4. That's cool. I wish my family liked quinoa as much as I do

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  5. This is something new for me. I never tasted quinoa dish, This looks really tempting!! I bet you can make it as a sweet dish too..Lovely pics!!!

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  6. wow i love pongals like this especially on winter days :)

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  7. Such a healthy,delicious,yummy and beautiful pongal..

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  8. very interesting recipe :) love the cute tails and grains :)

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  9. Looks delicious..Beautiful pictures!

    G
    http://ensamayalarangam.blogspot.com

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  10. Wow...lovely dish....I have to try this...
    Reva

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  11. POngal looks very yummy!Never cooked quinoa so far,have to try soon!

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  12. This is such an interesting preparation for quinoa. First time at your beautiful blog.

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  13. Yummy n definitely healthy...loved the clicks too :)

    US Masala

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  14. Sounds and looks very interesting....delicious looking too

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  15. What is Quinoa in telugu?

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  16. Quinoa in telugu is called Korralu.

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  17. Looks good! will give this to my Mom, anyways There is no Telegu name for Quinoa, and Little millet or foxtail millet is called Korralu. i know this because, my parents eat Quinoa for lunch and dinner, because it is so expensive and they are so used to eating rice, they mix Rice, Korralu and Quinoa in equal parts and cook them together just the way you cook rice, since they started eating this, their blood sugar levels have been under control and constant through out the day, it doesn't fluctuate from day to day either.

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  18. Healthy pongal. I searched for quinoa recipes, it sounds good.

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