Find Out All About How To Make Quinoa Upma And More - 24 Mantra Organic

Quinoa upma is a twist on the traditional Indian breakfast upma—a dish for those who are looking for a healthier and taster alternative to the bland dish. Quinoa, pronounced ‘kinuwa’, is a substantial protein source and a healthier alternative to rice or flour. But how to make quinoa upma that please the body and the mind? Here you go:

Why Quinoa?

Before we understand how to make quinoa upma, you must know that Quinoa has a very soft and chewy texture. But unlike Sabudana, another popular upma dish, this has a better crunch. They fit any spice and flavour pallet with a few changes to the recipe.

To guarantee an exceptional dish, you must source quinoa from an authentic and organic source. Organic products are free of any additives, making them better for your health and the planet. They are also sourced with utmost caution to ensure zero exploration of the farmers.

The regular quinoa bough from an untrustworthy source contains dirt and mixtures that could alter the taste or the health benefits. The advantages of quinoa are that it is gluten-free and a rich source of protein.

Traditionally, quinoa is not an Indian ingredient, but the versatility has made it a perfect fit in this recipe. So here is how to make quinoa upma:

Cooking Time:

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
Time Takes: 30 Minutes

Ingredients

How to make quinoa upma that kickstarts your morning? The first step is having a quality selection of ingredients. Depend on organic products for better taste and healthier lifestyle.

For Upma:

• 1 medium onion
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped ginger
• 5-6 curry leaves
• 1-2 green chillies
• 1 medium-size carrot
• Half-cup green peas
• 2 cups of water
• Salt to taste

For Tempering:

• 1.5 tablespoon cooking oil
• ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon urad daal
• ½ teaspoon chana daal

Directions For Cooking

Prep:

1. Take the desired quality of quinoa; here, we take one cup and wash it in a bowl. Cleaning this is the same as rice. Use a strainer under running water or with your hands in a bowl.
2. Keep aside and ensure all the water drains for the best results.
3. Chop one portion of ginger and onion.
4. Slice carrots into long and slim cuts. If you are using peas, wash them. You can also use healthy and organically packed frozen peas.

How to Make Quinoa Upma:

• In a hot pan, add the oil.
• To the oil, add mustard, channa daal, urad daal, and cashews. Also, add cumin seeds and mustard seeds as you like. If you wish, you can skip the deals.
• Fry them gently till the daal and cashew start to turn golden brown, and the mustard seeds crack.
• Now add onions, sliced green chilli, and curry leaves. Saute them till the onion turn transparent.
• Now add the carrots and the peas. If you wish to add other veggies, you can do that now.
• Fry them for a while until they are half cooked.
• Add water and salt to taste.
• Add the washed and dried quinoa to this, and let it cook till the water evaporates.
• When cooked, the upma will look transparent.
• Once cooked, keep the dish closed till the steam settles fully.
• Service with a side of your choice. Garnish with chopped coriander for colour and aroma.

Side:

Now that you know how to make quinoa upma, what do you eat it with?
You can serve this upma as it is. The dish is an ideal source of energy and protein. If you find the upma too bland, you can add pickles, chopped onions, or fresh curd. Some true-blood south-Indians also eat this upma with a side of coconut chutney.

Cooking Notes:

• Alter the qualities based on the number of people. This dish is ideal for one or two people.
• Squeeze some lemon juice on the upma just before eating for better taste.
• Many also wish to add ginger-garlic paste to the oil when cooking the onions.
• If in doubt about how to make quinoa upma to the perfect consistency, add one part of quinoa with two parts of water.
• If you like your upma more compact, add a few extra tablespoons of water while cooking to adjust the texture.
• You can replace the vegetable oil with heather options like olive or nut-oil.
• Ensure you wash the quinoa thoroughly and many times for the best results. Soaking it in a bowl is recommended.

Alterations and Variations:

While this recipe recommends adding carrots and peas, you can also add other vegetables like cauliflower or beans. You can also decide to skip the veggies and flavour it with the tempering directly.
You can also use grated carrots if chopping is an effort.
If you wish to add tomatoes, ensure they are cooked at the first step, with the onions to eliminate the raw taste. Also, use it without the seeds for a healthier option.
If you like your food on the hotter side, feel free to increase the spice level with chilli powder or using a pre-mixed masala.

Nutrition Estimate:

Closing Thoughts

For the fact that that you are here reading about how to make quinoa upma, you are taking a step towards a better lifestyle. This upma is an excellent source of energy, ideal for both breakfast or a light dinner.

The superfood for all body-types, with an easy-to-follow recipe. You do not need to be a master chef to make this dish.

Try 24 Mantra Organic’s Quinoa and savour the taste of organic goodness.