Quinoa (pronounced as keen-wah) is a pseudo-cereal which is not technically grain or cereal, but in general we consider it as a wholegrain. When compared with white rice, quinoa has very good amount of protein and less carbohydrates. The protein in quinoa is considered good protein since it has all nine amino acids. Quinoa is a very good source of protein and is gluten free and so it is a healthy option to consider for people who are intolerant of gluten.

In Indian dishes, Quinoa can be replaced with white rice when accompanied with wet curries, stews and curd. In USA we buy it in Costco.

For Indian readers: Quinoa is available in few selected super markets, but is over priced.

Quinoa Pulihora is the first item when I was thinking about 5 Whole grain prasadm for Saddula bathukamma.

Ingredients:

1. Quinoa – 1 Cup
2. Tamarind –  Small lemon size
3. Oil – 1 Tbsp
4. Mustered Seeds – 1 tsp
5. Dry red chilli – 2
6. Chana dal – 1 Tbsp
7. Urad dal – 1 tsp
8. Peanuts – 1 Tbsp
9. Green chillies- 2 (slit them to half vertically)
   
10. Curry leaves – 10
11. Turmeric – ¼ tsp
12. Jeera – Methi Powder – ¼ tsp
13. Salt – ¾ tsp
14. Jaggery- ½ tsp

Method:

1. Cook quinoa and keep it aside to cool.
2. Soak tamarind in hot water and extract pulp.
3. Heat oil in a cooking vessel, add the mustard seeds and let them splutter, add dry red chillis, channa dal, urad dal, peanuts and fry until peanuts are golden brown.
4. Add the slit green chillies,turmeric and curry leaves and fry for a few seconds.
5. Add the tamarind extract, salt, Jeera-Methi powder and cook for 3 mins and add jaggery, cook until the raw smell of tamarind disappears, and oil should come on top of paste.
6. Remove from heat.Add the cooked tamarind mix  to quinoa and combine well. Add small amounts of tamarind mix and check whether you need more.
7. Adjust salt and serve.

Note:

• Tamarind quinoa or rice pulihora tastes better couple of hours after preparing so plan ahead.

Variations:

• You can add roasted sesame powder or mustard powder or coconut powder to Pulihora when you are mixing tamarind paste.
• You can use white rice or brown rice instead of quinoa. Process is same for any grain.