Fennel Seed Spiced Quinoa

Fennel Seed Spiced Quinoa

By Namit Kathoria

 

Soaking time: Overnight

Preparation time: 10 min

Cooking time: 25 min

 

Serves 2-4 people.

Ingredients:

4-5 mushrooms finely sliced

½ large/1 medium sized white onion sliced

½ red pepper diced

2 teaspoons in total of any combination of fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, cumin seeds and mustard seeds

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup quinoa

1¼ cup vegetable stock (instant pot)/ 2 cups vegetable stock (normal pan)

¼ teaspoon Himalayan rock salt

 

 

Preparation:

1. Soak the quinoa overnight, rinse it through the next day and rub through with your fingers to remove any bitter saponins.
2. Slice the onions and the mushrooms and dice the pepper.

 

Note for steps 3 to 6 deglaze with some water if needed to prevent burning.

 

3. Heat up some of the oil (if you are using an Instant Pot use sauté function) on a medium to high heat with one piece of the onion. Once it starts to sizzle, add in the rest of the onion. Cook for 4-5 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Add in the mushrooms and the red peppers with some more olive oil if needed and cook for 2-3 minutes.
5. Add in the seeds you have chosen plus more oil and cook for about 30 seconds, constantly stirring.
6. Add in the quinoa with a bit more oil again if needed and constantly stir for about 1-2 minutes so that the quinoa really absorbs the flavours in the pan and allow it to become a little bit crisp and golden all over.
7. If you are using an Instant Pot, switch off the sauté function now. Add in the vegetable stock and salt and stir. Close the lid and set the valve to the seal position. Cook for one minute and wait for the natural release to happen. If you are using a normal pan again add in the vegetable stock and salt, stir and cook for 15 minutes.
8. Taste and see if you need to add in any more salt. Also make sure that the quinoa has absorbed all of the liquid.
9. Fluff up with a fork, garnish with pumpkin seeds and fresh corriander if you want to and serve.

 

Where does your protein come from?

It comes from the quinoa which has all the essential amino acids that the body needs.

 

To get more inspiration for healthy plant-based recipes please see our new nutrition and recipe book “Life” which is due to come out in 2022.