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Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe
Try Quinoa Matar Pulao as an alternative to making rice-based peas pulao. This protein-rich recipe is both traditional and healthy too.
This easy peas pilaf with quinoa is a way to include healthy quinoa and replace rice in your diet. The taste of matar pulao with the fresh peas available in winter gives a lovely flavour to the meal. Not to mention it is an easy, filling gluten-free dish and a great way to eat on a lazy weekend or busy weeknights.
This recipe is inspired by my hubby after I made these quinoa idlis. I loved the idea and the fresh green peas that we shelled together used to make this pulao much better. Make some Matar Ka Nimona with the balance peas a hearty curry.
Contents:
- This Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe and me
- Why MSK Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe
- Let's Get started
- For Your Questions
- Some more quinoa recipes we love
- Recipe card
- Pin for later
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This Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe and me
I try to include healthy grains in our diet. Quinoa is one of them.
I have tried many recipes with quinoa as I love the grain. (You can check this compilation of Quinoa Recipes)So the idea of making pulao with quinoa was not far from the surface of the madly bubbling cauldron of my thoughts.
Once the idea takes root it is difficult to shake it off from my head. So I made the delicious Mattar Pilaf with quinoa. Can serve it with Tomato Saar Recipe.
Why MSK Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe:
Make MSK Quinoa Mattar Pulao as
- It is, as usual, easy and delicious
- Quick
- Gluten-free
- Whole grain
- Can be made vegan too
- Pairs with just about any dish
Let's Get started:
Ingredients:
These are the ingredients you will need. For quantities please check the recipe card.
- Quinoa soaked
- Fresh green peas
- Clarified butter ghee
- Cinnamon
- Cloves
- Bay leaf
- Green chilli
- Onions
- Garlic cloves
- Ginger
- Salt to taste
- Water
- Garam masala
- Cahewnuts
- Garlic slices
- Mint leaves
Method:
- Rinse and soak the quinoa for about an hour.
- Make a fine paste of ½ onion, ginger, garlic and chilli with water. I used the chutney pot. You can also do it manually with a mortar and pestle or use a nutribullet.
- Heat clarified butter in a thick-bottomed vessel. Lower the flame.
- Add the garlic and stir fry till golden. Add the cashew nuts and fry them too.
- Temper the cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf until you get a distinctive aroma.
- Add the onion, green chillies, garlic and ginger paste. Cook till the raw smell goes away.
- Stir-fry onions on medium flame until translucent.
- Strain the quinoa and add to the pot. Mix well.
- Add water, salt, garam masala and stir. Raise the flame.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil add the green peas. Mix well.
- Cover and cook on medium heat stirring occasionally.
- Once done let the mix sit covered for about 5 minutes.
- Garnish and serve.
Substitutes:
- Quinoa: substitute with foxtail millet, little millet, barnyard millet, rice.
- Fresh green peas: use frozen peas and I am reluctant to use dehydrated peas but if you need to please soak them overnight and use them.
- Other vegetables: You can also use vegetables like cauliflower, carrots, soya nuggets.
- Meat eaters: can use chicken, shrimp. ( I have never cooked)
- Clarified butter ghee: use any nonaromatic oil like vegetable oil, sunflower, rice bran oil.
- Water: in Indian cooking we use water but you can always use stock.
- Garam masala: powdered garam masala is something that adds delicious aroma and flavour. Make a batch and store it does taste good in many dishes. Having said this Garam masala is optional you can also use any masala you like biriyani masala.
Variations:
- Spicy- Now this quinoa matar pulao is very bland. Use more green chillies to jack up the spice levels. You can also Thai birds eye chilli while grinding.
- Deluxe- Want to deck up the pulao? Try adding fried nuts, raisins, sprinkle chopped mint and coriander leaves. Add fried barista as garnish.
- You can add any other vegetabe like cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, tofu, paneer to make atasty and more filling pulao.
- Kid-friendly - Want the toddlers to be attracted? Line a mould something like mickey mouse or Pippa the pig with some clarified butter/ oil. Pack the quinoa pulao and invert to a plate.
Equipment:
- Bowls
- knife / board
- Chutney pot of the mixer
- Thick bottomed pan
- Spoons and ladles
How to serve:
- Serve hot with raita, pickle.
- Pair it with a spicy curry or how about this vegetable chilli to go with it.
- I love to serve this pulao as a part of my pegan diet bowl which we make occasionally.
How to store:
- Quinoa peas pilaf stay good for about 4 days in the fridge. Heat well before serving.
- Pack it up for your child’s lunch, tastes awesome with raita and papad.
This is an old post that I am updating with newer pictures and a write up as a part of the group Foodies_RedoingOld Post.
For Your Questions:
Protips:
- Cook the quinoa till done. The best visual indicator of cooked quinoa is the germ is visible.
- Rinse the quinoa well and soak it for sometime. Cooks faster and tastes less bitter.
- To make the quinoa pilaf vegan use oil in place of clarified butter.
Frequently asked Questions:
-
How do you cook quinoa?
Take the dry quinoa and rinse it. Quinoa swells after cooking so take that into account. If you need 3 cups of cooked quinoa use 1 cup dry quinoa. Add 2 ½ cups of liquid and cook in a pan for 20 minutes. The germ separates once the quinoa cooks.
-
How do I know quinoa is cooked?
When cooked you can easily squish the cooked grain. Visually it becomes translucent. The germ separates and the cooked quinoa has a bite you can say it is al dente.
-
Quinoa tastes bitter how do I get around it?
Quinoa is naturally bitter. That is the reason you need to rinse it well. Since the grains are small use a fine wire mesh.
-
How do I improve the taste of quinoa?
Add salt to the cooking quinoa. Use stock I use vegetable stock you can use chicken stock. Add aromatics ginger, garlic, sage, rosemary, pepper. For a desi, taste use garam masala.
Some more quinoa recipes we love:
Recipe card:
Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe
Quinoa Matar Pulao also Quinoa Peas Pulao a fusion dish in which the rice in matar pulao is replaced by quinoa.
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Servings: 4 people
Calories: 119kcal
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Ingredients
- 1 cup quinoa soaked for 1 hour
- ½ cup green peas
- 2 tablespoon clarified butter
- 1 inch cinnamon stick
- 2 cloves
- 1 bay leaves
- 2 Green chillies finely chopped
- 1 cup onions sliced
- 8-10 garlic cloves
- 1 inch piece ginger
- Salt to Taste
- 2 ½ cups Water
Instructions
- Rinse and soak the quinoa for about an hour.
- Make a fine paste of ½ onion, ginger, garlic and chilli with water.
- Heat clarified butter in a thick-bottomed vessel. Lower the flame.
- Add the garlic and stir fry till golden. Add the cashew nuts and fry them too. Transfer to a dish and set aside.
- Temper the cinnamon, cloves, bay leaf until you get a distinctive aroma.
- Add the onion, green chillies, garlic and ginger paste. Cook till the raw smell goes away.
- Stir-fry onions on medium flame until translucent.
- Strain the quinoa and add to the pot. Mix well.
- Add water, salt, garam masala and stir. Raise the flame.
- Once the mixture comes to a boil add the green peas. Mix well.
- Cover and cook on medium heat stirring occasionally.
- Once done let the mix sit covered for about 5 minutes
- Garnish and serve.
Notes
Protips:
- Cook the quinoa till done. The best visual indicator of cooked quinoa is the germ is visible.
- Rinse the quinoa well and soak it for some time. Cooks faster and tastes less bitter.
- To make the quinoa pilaf vegan use oil in place of clarified butter.
Nutrition Facts
Quinoa Peas Pulao Recipe
Serving Size
100 g
Amount per Serving
Calories
119
% Daily Value*
Fat
5.2
g
8
%
Carbohydrates
13.9
g
5
%
Fiber
4.3
g
18
%
Protein
4.3
g
9
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutritional Disclaimer: I am not a certified nutritionist and make no claims to the contrary. Please check with your nutritionist for your dietary needs and restrictions. Ultimately you are responsible for your decisions.
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Srivalli Jetti says
That's an interesting version of pulao and a twist that's good..very nice Arch.
Seema Sriram says
Loved it Archana.i am big on quinoa and the recipe was wonderful.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks.
Priya Suresh says
Such a super nutritious pulao, wowwing here. Love anything cooked with quinoa, beautiful pulao there.
Harini Rupanagudi says
A definitely nutritious pulao!
Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth says
I am definitely not liking quinoa and there are still some little quantity in my fridge that needs to be finished ASAP before it expires... hehe... the pulao is a good way to use it up...
Vaishali says
Let me try this Pulao instead of the salad that I make , nice variation .
Priya says
surely a hit for weight watchers like me. Loved it
Sandhiya says
Using quinoa in pulao is interesting !! Healthy & tasty pulao!!!
Kalyani says
this looks fab
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Kal.
Chef Mireille says
I would love this pulao as a healthier way to enjoy pulao
ArchanaPotdar says
😀
Nisha Ramesh says
True, that these peas are powerhouse of nutrition. Small things loaded with goodness. A nice variation to our Pulav.
sonal says
There is no better grain like Quinoa when adapting recipes with whole grains. It absorbs the flavors so well. Love this pulav.
ArchanaPotdar says
Yes Sonal it is definitely a foodies delight to work with.
sonal says
Love Indian recipes using Quinoa. This is a fantastic take. .
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 Thanks
FREDA says
Looks so yummy!! I've begin loving quinoa off late, can't wait to try more dishes with it 🙂
ArchanaPotdar says
Same here Freda.
Nivedita Thadani says
Hi Archana,
very nutritious food and adding the peas makes it more colorful. Would love to have it anytime.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Nivedita
Sharmila Kingsly says
Such a healthy pulao this is!!
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Sharmila
Jagruti says
What a healthy and delicious version of Matar Pulao! I wouldn't mind with a bowl of yogurt and roasted papad.
Ruchi says
Such a healthy and delicious pulao. Quinoa , a very nutritious ingredient can be be paired with many. Lovely share
Nayna Kanabar says
A really healthy alternative to eating rice. I love cooking with quinoa, and making a pilaf is an excellent idea.
Sapana Behl says
Pulao with quinoa sounds healthy and tasty too.
Lathiya says
Lovely recipe..so healthy ,nutritious and delicious too
Jayashree says
This is a healthy twist to the usual pulao. Nice share.
Priya Srinivasan says
I love quinoa arch! It is a regular at home. I make it just like rice and eat it with sambar and rasam. Love this peas pulao with quinoa,nice variation from the rice dishes !
ArchanaPotdar says
This way eating with sambhar and rasam I must try. Will love it.
Mayuri Patel says
What a twist to the quinoa.. making it into an Indian flavor. Its definitely a must try recipe and healthy too.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks Mayuri
Mayuri Patel says
Love how we are able to enjoy quinoa in so many different ways. Quinoa Matar Pulao is a must try recipe. Best part is that it can be made in a jiffy. Filling and healthy. With papad and yogurt on the side, a perfect meal.
ArchanaPotdar says
The combo sounds yum. I must make some soon.
Priya Srinivasan says
I love cooking with quinoa archana! this simple quinoa matar pulao looks very inviting . Love your detailed FAQ on how to cook quinoa perfect.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Priya. Glad you find the faq helpful.
Renu says
Love quinoa and mint pulao and this looks tasty and delicious.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks, Renu.
Jayashree T.Rao says
Quinoa Pulao looks tasty and ideal to serve for lunch, brunch or dinner. I make this one and tastes awesome. I will try your version.
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks.
Seema says
The quinoa mattar pulao is what I made today. I loved it as soon as the taste test. I saw my kids taking some into thier breakfast plate itself. So I guess this recipe is to stay.
ArchanaPotdar says
Thanks.
sizzlingtastebuds says
the khila-khila look of this quinoa peas pula is enticing. Must bb8y a pack of quinoa just to make this now for hubby and me !
ArchanaPotdar says
😀 thanks.