Ginger Garlic Quinoa

Have you wondered how you can make a protein-packed meal easily for your family that is flavor packed too? This quinoa is! This ginger garlic quinoa is phenomenal in flavor, and as the name suggests, it is packed with the flavors of ginger and garlic. This vegan, savory, and spicy quinoa can be a meal by itself.

This easy quinoa recipe is made in the same way we make the South Indian version of ginger garlic rice, except that rice is replaced with quinoa. Unlike any other grains, quinoa is a complete protein, which means it has all the essential nine amino acids that our body system can’t synthesize. Though oats and soy also give the nine amino acids they do not have the required amount of lysine. This leaves quinoa as the only plant-based complete protein source. If you are looking for more quinoa recipes, here are a couple of them

Quinoa Burrito Bowl

Cilantro lime quinoa

Quinoa garbanzo Tacos

Multigrain Veggie Roti

What are the ingredients required to make this recipe?

Quinoa - protein-rich quinoa makes the ideal base. Any type of quinoa can be used. This recipe uses tri-colored quinoa.

Garlic - flavor booster with immune-building properties 

Ginger - flavor enhancer with anti-inflammatory properties, aids digestion

 

Salt - adds flavor 

Oil - sesame oil gives the perfect flavor to this dish. It can be replaced with any oil of your preference 

Asafetida - Adds flavor and aids digestion

Thai chili, Red chili, and Chili flakes - These add to the spicy kick. Adjust the quantity as per heat tolerance.

Mustard seeds, Curry leaves - add flavor.

Do you know the best part of the recipe? Leftover quinoa can also be used. If you do not have leftover quinoa, cook quinoa, cool it, and use it in this recipe. 

Why this quinoa recipe?

This simple and easy recipe to follow is a great plus and the flavors highlighted to make this nutrition-packed quinoa a great choice to make often for a meal. The ginger, garlic, and Thai chilies give a flavor punch. This could be a meal by itself or can be a side too. The leftovers will be great for the next day's lunch along with a salad. Add this to your taco or burrito for easy meal ideas. 

What to serve with this quinoa?

This protein-rich quinoa can be a meal by itself. I prefer to pair it with a side salad like kochumber or this Dal Sprouts Salad or Carrot slaw. This Black pepper Tofu and Tofu Burji, or tofu tikka are my favorite sides to pair too. 

Is this vegan?

This ginger garlic quinoa is a vegan recipe. We traditionally use sesame oil to make a similar version with rice, and so the usage of sesame oil makes this recipe vegan. If a regular version is preferred, try making it with ghee or butter. 

Garlic, belonging to the Allium family, is an amazing bulb with loads of benefits while it adds to flavors. The addition of a tiny amount of this bulb gives exponential results in flavor and everything becomes palatable. The pungency and aroma may be a little hard for some, though the majority of the people would love it. And the proportions of garlic can also be adjusted based on tolerance level. With the right proportions, this recipe will always be a hit. If you are a garlic lover, we are too, then this recipe is perfect. Plus there are more amazing recipes by my fellow bloggers at the end of the post. Make sure to click on them for more garlicky recipes. We are sharing garlicky recipes for an event by Christie in #ourfamilytable group. 

Garlic is added to many of our curries as well as main dishes, and it gives a unique flavor profile to the food. No one can deny that. We make garlic chutney as well as pickles. Yes, Spicy Garlic Pickle would be a great side to stuffed parathas as well as to rice. This Garlic Butter Paratha is one of our family favorites. Try these simple Hot Garlic Noodles and you’ll make it a regular one in your menu planning, simple yet delicious that you can’t let it surpass. 

Garlic makes quite a difference in any recipe. Jolene is hosting an event today to celebrate National Garlic Month and I am sharing this quinoa recipe for the same. Check at the end of this post for more garlic recipes we shared today. Thanks, Jolene!

Ingredients

Serves 4 to 8

For Quinoa

Quinoa - 1.5 cups or 5 cups cooked quinoa

Water to cook quinoa

Salt - 1 tsp

For Tempering

Sesame oil - 1/4 cup

Dried red chili - 2, torn

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Split urad dal - 1 tsp

Curry leaf - 1 sprig, torn

Asafetida - 1/4 tsp

To Crush

Garlic - 8-10 cloves, chopped

Ginger - 3-in piece, chopped

Thai chili - 2 to 4, chopped

Dried red chili - 2 to 4

For Cooking

Salt - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric - 1/2 tsp

Cilantro - 2-3 tbsp, chopped

Method

Cook the quinoa according to the directions until fluffy. Set aside to cool.

Grind the ginger, garlic, Thai chili, and red chili to a coarse texture.

This can be done with a mortar and pestle too.

Heat sesame oil on a heavy-bottomed pan over medium flame. Add the dried red chilies and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds splutter, add the split urad dal followed by asafoetida and curry leaves, Fry for 30 seconds.

Add the coarse spicy ginger garlic mixture and cook for about 2 minutes until the nice aroma lifts.

Add some salt and turmeric, and cook for 30 more seconds. 

Add the cooked quinoa.

Mix thoroughly and cook for 3-4 minutes on a lower flame until the flavor blends well. 

Transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with cilantro, and serve with salad and or tofu. 

#NationalGarlicMonth Recipes

Garlic Butter Pasta by Jolene's Recipe Journal

Sauteed Garlic Spinach Agrodolce by Palatable Pastime

Garlic Scape Butter by Art of Natural Living

Caesar Tartlets with Sweet Garlic Butter Crusts by Karen's Kitchen Stories

Garlic Rolls by The Spiffy Cookie

One Pot Penne Alfredo by A Day in the Life on the Farm

Granulated Garlic & Onion Potato Cheese Soup by Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice