I have always been looking for the best spice combination that brings the best from Quinoa and also has the traditional taste from Indian cuisine. Spinach Quinoa does just that!
If you have never tried Quinoa in Indian cuisine, here's a wonderful recipe that you will love Spicy Spinach Quinoa. It is one of my best fusion recipes that I have tried so far. Quinoa is not common in Asian or Indian cuisine, but the nutritional benefits are so much better compared to white rice or brown rice.
The dry texture from cooked Quinoa is typically good for salads. So I started looking for ways to make it creamier. So I tried a blend of spinach, tomato, and cashews to make it creamy. More than the choice of vegetables it is the spice combination of cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, and ginger that gives it an irresistible aroma.
I used a teaspoon of chili powder and green chilies to suit my taste (7, on a scale of 1 to 10). You can try changing it a little to suit your preference. The dish hardly needs any prep time.
So you can be done in 30 minutes or less 😉
Step by step directions
- Cook the quinoa with 2 cups of water.
- Meanwhile, blanch the spinach and blend with tomatoes, ginger, cinnamon, chilies, cashews, and about half a cup of water. Blend well and keep aside.
- Place a pan over medium heat. Saute the cumin seeds in a teaspoon of coconut oil. After a few seconds, add cloves and continue to saute for a few seconds.
- Add onions and continue to saute until they are transparent.
- Add cauliflower florets, turmeric powder, chili powder, and crushed black pepper. Place a cover and let cook for 5-10 minutes.
- When the vegetables appear cooked, add in the spinach blend and stir well. Add salt to taste.
- When it starts to boil, add the cooked quinoa and stir well. Cover the lid for 5 minutes and let the quinoa blend with the gravy.
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📖 Recipe
Spicy Spinach Quinoa
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa
- ½ cup spinach
- 1 cup cauliflower florets
- ½ cup chopped onions
- Half tomatoes chopped
- 2 green chilies chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 3-4 small piece cinnamon
- 3 cloves
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
- 5-6 cashews - optional
- 2 teaspoon coconut oil
- Salt
Instructions
- Cook the quinoa with 2 cups of water.
- Meanwhile, blanch the spinach and blend with tomatoes, ginger, cinnamon, chilies, cashews and about half cup water. Blend well and keep aside.
- Place a pan over medium heat. Saute the cumin seeds in a teaspoon of coconut oil. After few seconds, add cloves and continue to saute for few seconds.
- Add onions and continue to saute until they are transparent.
- Add cauliflower florets, turmeric powder, chili powder, and crushed black pepper. Place a cover and let cook for 5-10 minutes.
- When the vegetables appear cooked, add in the spinach blend and stir well. Add salt to taste.
- When it starts to boil, add the cooked quinoa and stir well. Cover the lid for 5 minutes and let the quinoa blend with the gravy.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Now spinach quinoa is ready to serve. Serve hot with a cold glass of plain or mango lassi! 🙂
Lucie @WIN-WIN FOOD says
I would never have thought of using quinoa when cooking Indian. What a brilliant idea!
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health says
never thought of combining these two but sounds great for a quick side 🙂
Uma Raghupathi says
My new experiment and turned out very good:) a Thank you Dixya!
Kelly Page (@TastingPage) says
Love all of the bold flavors in this dish. I feel like I could convince my on the fence quinoa eaters to eat this!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Kelly!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
Yum Uma! Love spinach and the use of quinoa in this! I make something similar, but need to try your version! Perfect easy and quick dinner!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thanks Anjali! Definitely easy and quick meal 🙂
Molly Kumar says
Spicy Spinach Quinoa sounds amazing. I love having quinoa for dinner and will try your recipe soon.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Molly ?
Mel @ avirtualvegan.com says
What a great way to pack the flavour into quinoa. It sounds delicious, especially with a mango lassi!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Mel!
Donna says
Ooh yum, I have never tried quinoa in an Indian dish before, but now I have to - this sounds amazing!!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Donna! Hope you will like it!
Linda @ Veganosity says
Spinach, Spice, and quinoa. Say no more, I love it!