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.
Check out my other recipes
📖 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! 🙂
Audrey says
This sounds really yummy! I'll try it soon 🙂
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Audrey!
Ahu says
Yum, I am always looking for new ways to prepare quinoa. This sounds amazing!
kage2015 says
Always looking for great spinach recipes and just found a great one.
nicoleanndawson says
Indian flavors & quinoa, I'm in!
foodhuntersguide says
this sounds super healthy and delicious.
Jenn says
Oh, I love that there is cauliflower in there too! Sounds delicious...very flavorful!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thanks Jenn 🙂
Strength and Sunshine says
What a delicious quinoa dish! Love the spice!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Rebecca!
recipesfromapantry says
Love your creative take on things. Saving this for later.
Soma Saharay says
Such a healthy dish it is....
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes it is thank you Soma!
Tara says
I don't prepare quinoa nearly enough. Love all the veggies with little prep time! Perfect healthy weeknight meal.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thanks Tara!
maggieunz Unzueta says
Pinned! I need more quinoa recipes. Thanks for sharing.
Gloria Duggan says
This sounds so good. I love spinach and quinoa. Perfect for a lite meal any day of the week.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you 🙂
Aarika says
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.
Pavani says
That's a very healthy bowl of quinoa Uma. Will have to try this some time. Thanks for sharing.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Pavani! I am glad that you liked it:)
Wandercooks says
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!
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you 🙂 yes I liked your idea too:)