Baked Quinoa

Tis is another variation of making quinoa.Here also the grain is first cooked and then used.This is more of Italian because it is baked with toamato pizza sauce and plenty of cheese.Tomato sauce can be made at home or can be store bought.

For Tomato Sauce

Ingredients	Quantity
Blanched Tomatoes	2
Chopped Garlic	1 tbsp
Chopped Onions	1 tbsp
Bay Leaf	1
Chopped Capsicum	1 tbsp
Pepper Powder	1½ tsp
Tomato Ketchup	2 tbsp
Sugar	1 tsp
Dried Oregano	1 tsp
Tomato Puree (optional)	¼ cup
Salt	to taste
Olive Oil	1 tsp

Method

1. Blanch the tomatoes in hot water and remove the skins.Chop the tomatoes into small pieces.


2. Take a pan and add the oil and heat it.Add the bay leaf and onions, chopped garlic and capsicum and fry.


3. Add the tomato pieces,tomato puree,sugar,pepper powder and salt and cook till the quatity becomes less.


4. Lastly add the oregano and remove from the heat.


5. Remove the bay leaf from the sauce.Keep it aside until use.

For Baked Quinoa

Ingredients	Quantity
Quinoa	½ cup
Water	½ cup
Grated Cheddar Cheese	¾ cup
Grated Parmesan Cheese	1 tbsp
Tomato Sauce (as made above)	1½ cup

Method

1. Cook the quinoa either in the pressure cooker or outside in a pan with more water. and keep it aside.


2. Take a baking dish and spread evenly half of the tomato sauce at the bottom.


3. Next spread the cooked quinoa evenly and then the remaining tomato sauce.


4. On the top spread the grated cheddar cheese and sprinkle parmesan cheese over it and bake it in a preheated oven at 250 to 300degrees centigrade first covered with aluminium foil for 15mins and remove the foil and bake it till the cheese melts and turns light brown in colour.


5. Serve it hot with garlic bread and steamed vegetables.

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Quinoa Pulav

Quinoa (pronounced as ("keen-wah") is a grain used mostly in South American cuisine. It is not available in India. It is rich in protein unlike other grains. It's light and cooks fluffy and can be used as a main dish or in soups, stirfries or in breakfast, like rice with vegetables or meat. This recipe is especially for Indians who live in places where this grain is easily available. When I was in the U.S, I tried out these two recipes which were well received. The quantity used becomes nearly double when the quinoa is cooked. It is gluten free and good for kids, old people and pregnant women. Try it and enjoy it!

Ingredients	Quantity
Quinoa	1 cup
Water	1 cup
Sliced Bellpepper (Capsicum)	2 tbsps
Grated Carrot	3 tbsps
Sliced French Beans	2 tbsps
French Green Peas	3 tbsps
Chopped Onions	3 tbsps
Ginger Garlic Paste	1 tsp
Chopped Cilantro (Coriander) Leaves	1 tbsp
Turmeric Powder	¼ tsp
Cumin Seeds	1 tsp
Bay Leaf	1
Garam Masala Powder	1 tsp
Salt	to taste
Oil	1 tbsp
Fried Cashewnuts	6

Method

1. Cook the quinoa with water in a pressure cooker till done like rice. If you do not want to use the cooker it can be cooked in a pan with more water. If you need it softer more water can be added.


2. Take oil in a pan and heat it. Add the cumin seeds and bay leaf and fry.


3. Add the onions and ginger garlic paste and fry till light brown.


4. Add the finely chopped vegetables and stir fry till they are cooked.


5. Add the tumeric powder, garam masala powder and salt and mix.


6. Lastly add the cooked quinoa and mix it with the vegetables and cook it till it is hot.


7. Serve hot, decorated with fried cashewnuts and chopped cilantro.This can also be prepared like South Indian Upma too.

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