Quinoa Pulao is an Easy Indian Intermittent Fasting Dish. It is an Indian fusion dish you can make within minutes.
Quinoa is pronounced as kiːn.wɑː, kinwa or kinuwa, is an edible seed; as per sources on the internet, the seeds are rich in protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and dietary minerals. It is said that when measured in amounts it is greater than found in many grains.
Quinoa is a pseudocereal. It is popular in western countries, is now catching up in India as well.
If you are following the Intermittent Fasting Diet, this seed becomes an easy one to make.
I paired it with a quick Kadai Paneer with cucumber on the side and you have a whole plate of a protein-rich meal during your fasting!.
Jump to:
Ingredients needed
I have used a mix of vegetables along with onion and tomato saute. Boiling it separately and sauteeing it together makes this a very simple and easy dish to make.
Quinoa - I have used the regular seed, we do get mixed coloured Quinoa as well.
Vegetables - You can practically use any vegetable of your choice. I have used carrots, beans, capsicum, and peas.
Spices - Use red chili powder, and garam masala for that pulao effect with green chilies as well.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions to follow ~ Step by Step Pictures
Since I didn't make it in the regular method, you can call this upma or pulao. Quinoa gets mushy very quickly, so keep an eye on it. So I cook it separately and then add spices and vegetables
Prepping the Vegetables
Wash and soak the quinoa for 10 minutes.
Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
Drain the quinoa, add to the pan and let it cook together. Simmer when it starts to boil.
Takes about 5 to 7 minutes to get done
Wash and chop the vegetables. Microwave the chopped beans, carrots, and peas. Keep it aside.
Making the Pulao
Meanwhile, heat a kadai with oil, saute onions, and green chilies until it changes colour.
Add chopped tomatoes, capsicum, etc. Next, add the other boiled vegetables.
Once the vegetables are cooked, add the spice powders and mix well.
Now add the cooked quinoa toss everything together, and adjust the salt.
Serve hot with Kadai Paneer.
Substitutions you can make
You can use colour quinoa as well. The cooking time will almost be the same.
This is a gluten-free dish, so you actually don't have to substitute the ingredients going into it. However, you can add a bit of ghee if you prefer, and ok with nonvegan dish
Variations you can make
Add roasted paneer to make this dish more protein-rich.
You can add boiled chickpeas, or other lentils as well to make it more wholesome.
Other quinoa dishes you will love!
Expert Tips to make this Easy Indian Intermittent Fasting Dish
- We just parboil the vegetables, you need not cook it fully, keeping it crunchy makes this tasty.
- You can parboil the quinoa and cook it together with the vegetables as well if you can manage to cook quinoa without making it mushy.
- You can make this other Intermittent Fasting Diet like Pumpkin Soup.
Recipe
Quinoa Pulao Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quinoa
- 2 teaspoon Cooking Oil
- 1/4 cup Onions
- 1/4 cup Tomato
- 2 Green Chilies
- 1 cup Mixed Vegetables I have used carrots, beans, peas, capsicum
- Salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon Red Chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Garam masala
- 1/8 teaspoon Turmeric powder
Instructions
- Wash and soak the quinoa for 10 minutes.
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Add the drained quinoa and let it get cooked. Simmer when it starts to boil.
- It takes about 5 to 7 minutes to get cooked.
- Wash and chop the vegetables. Microwave the chopped beans, carrots, and peas. Keep it aside.
- Meanwhile, heat a kadai with oil, saute onions, and green chilies until it changes colour.
- Add chopped tomatoes, capsicum, etc. Next, add the other boiled vegetables.
- Once the vegetables are cooked, add the spice powders and mix well.
- Now add the cooked quinoa toss everything together, adjust salt.
- Serve hot with Kadai Paneer.
Notes
Nutrition
PIN This for Later!
kpartha12 says
I do not fast, intermittent or regular, but feast on all happy occasions! I have not eaten quinova (Tamil equivalent?) in any form but looks like Javvarisi kichdi.Will ask my daughter to make one day.
I have not visited your blog or any others for long.. I will be regular henceforth.
Vaishali says
The quinoa pulao looks nice and colourful . I do intermittent fasting , but eat practically everything, but with portion controls . This pulao definitely will be a good addition to my meal.
Radha says
We love having quinoa in our diet and this is one often made. Your recipe is amazing! Colorful and inviting!
Narmadha says
Quinoa pulao looks too good and colorful as well. With paneer on the side, it must a feast. Would like to try it out soon.