Simple Sumptuous Cooking

Home / Recipes / Lunch Menu / Spicy Spinach Quinoa

Spicy Spinach Quinoa

by 37 Comments

Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe
spicy Spinach Quinoa for quick week day lunch or dinner !

spicy spinach quinoa

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 white rice or brown rice. So 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. Spicy Spinach Quinoa does just that!

spicy spinach quinoaThe 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 from cinnamon, cloves, turmeric and ginger that gives it an irresistible aroma.

spicy spinach quinoaI 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 😉

spicy spinach quinoa

Print Recipe
0 from 0 votes

Spicy Spinach Quinoa

Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time30 mins
Total Time35 mins
Author: Uma Srinivas

Ingredients

  • 1 cup quinoa
  • 1/2 cup spinach
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets
  • 1/2 cup chopped onions
  • Half tomatoes chopped
  • 2 green chilies chopped
  • 1 tbsp minced ginger
  • 3-4 small piece cinnamon
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp black pepper powder
  • 5-6 cashews optional
  • 2 tsp 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. Sauté the cumin seeds in a teaspoon of coconut oil. After few seconds, add cloves and continue to sauté for few seconds.
  • Add onions and continue to sauté 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.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Spicy Spinach Quinoa
Amount Per Serving (2 g)
Calories 0
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @simplesumptuouscooking or tag #simplesumptuouscooking!

Now spicy spinach quinoa is ready to serve. Serve hot with a cold glass of plain or mango lassi! 🙂 

spicy spinach quinoa

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Wandercooks

    Yum! I absolutely love the sound of that combination of spices and chillis, it would be absolutely perfect combined with the texture of the quinoa. To get even more fusion about it I’d even serve with crispy fried roti. Mouth is literally watering as I type. 😛 Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  3. Aarika

    This sounds fabulous! I love quinoa, and this one sounds absolutely delicious. I love cumin and turmeric, and I am always looking for new ways to spice up my quinoa recipes. This is perfect! Thanks.

    Reply

  17. Donna

    Ooh yum, I have never tried quinoa in an Indian dish before, but now I have to – this sounds amazing!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *