Quinoa (Keenwa) Kichidi

Quinoa is a protein packed food.
I shall drop a detailed write up on the tips and tricks to cook a perfect Quinoa, in the coming days.. little hardpressed for time now..

Anyways, my chicken scribbles on the recipe before I forget: ;)

• Wash the Quinoa really well for "atleast" three times
• Since the seeds are tiny, use a fine strainer to wash them (a coffee strainer would do)
• Cook 1/4 cup of Quinoa in 1- 1/4th cup of water with 1 tsp of salt, for 20 mins in medium heat uncovered
• Once the craters form, simmer the stove for lowest possible flame (you may even switch it off if the quinoa has very very little water) for 10 more mins covered
• Do not worry if your cooked Quinoa is not fluffy.. it is very forgiving unlike some humans (ROFL!).. just store your 'messed up' Quinoa in the fridge for an hour or so to make the seeds (yes seeds.. becoz Quinoa is not a grain like some might think.. it is nothing but seeds..  protein rich seeds) grainy and separate
• Fluff the Quinoa with a fork to separate the seeds
• The rest of the recipe is same as any kichidi.. anyways let me elaborate on that for your convenience.. oh my God.. why am I so verbose Today?!!
• Sprinkle little salt over 1/2 cup of frozen peas and carrot 
• Steam the vegetables for 5 minutes in a microwave steamer
• If you don't have one, use an idly cooker or vessel..
• Set aside the vegetables
• In a hot pan add 3 tsp of oil
• when the oil is hot enough, add 1 tsp of mustard seeds
• Allow the seeds to splutter
• Add 1/2 tsp of cumin seeds, 1 tsp of urid dhal, 1 tsp of chana dhal, 1 spring of curry leaves, 1 long green chilly finely chopped
• Stri once and add 1/2 red onion finely chopped
• Sprinkle some salt to the onions and saute the contents till the onions turn translucent
• BE MINDFUL of the salt you add.. as you have already added some into the quinoa and some in the vegetables..
• Toss in a handful of raw peanuts to the mixture
• Fry the peanuts for a minute
• Add a pinch of turmeric powder
• Now add the steamed vegetables
• Stir the contents till the vegetables are slightly sauteed
• Now add the cooked (porbably chilled) Quinoa 
• Fry the contents for 3 to 4 minutes on low-medium flame
• Adjust the salt
• Sprinkle a pinch of any 'rice paruppu (dhal) podi' or rice garlic podi' for an extra zing.. This is optional and adds a personal touch.. my DH LOVES it!
• OPTIONAL: sprinkle 1 tsp of fine ground flaxseeds.. (This is a trial and error operation.. try it and see if your family is upto the risk. :) )
• Another optional add on is squeezing few drops of lemon juice before serving
• Serve the Quinoa as is or with pickle or chutney.. as you would serve any kichidi
• Happy Cooking! Healthy Eating! Alrie.. I am shutting down my voice (chatter) box. ;) See ya, folks!