Easy tomato quinoa
Tomato Quinoa is a wholesome, comforting dish made with fluffy quinoa simmered in a rich, tangy tomato base. Packed with flavor and nutrition, this dish can be prepared within 30 minutes. It can be served as a healthy side dish or, a light yet filling meal perfect for lunch or dinner. It's vegan and gluten-free.
Servings 3
Calories 294kcal
Equipment
- 1 saucepan or small cooking pot with a lid to cook quinoa
- 1 large skillet or pan
- Spatula
- Knife and chopping board
Ingredients
Ingredients to cook quinoa
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa
- 2 cups water
Other ingredients
- 1 medium red onion finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 green chili finely chopped
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon red chili flakes adjust to taste
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust to taste
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse quinoa and put it in a saucepan. Add water and cook uncovered on medium heat for 12-15 minutes or until all the water is absorbed. Turn off the heat.
- Cover the saucepan with a lid and leave covered for 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, remove the lid and fluff quinoa with a fork. Keep it aside.
- Heat oil in a pan. Add chopped onion and saute until it becomes translucent.
- Add minced garlic and saute for about a minute.
- Add chopped green chilies and all the powdered spices. Saute for a few seconds.
- Add tomato paste and cook for around 30 seconds.
- Add chopped tomatoes and salt. Mix and cook covered on medium heat until the tomatoes turn mushy and are no longer raw.
- Add chopped cilantro and cook with tomatoes for a minute.
- Add cooked quinoa and mix well. Turn off the heat.
- Garnish with chopped cilantro.
Notes
- This is a simple tomato quinoa recipe. If you want to make it more hearty, add chopped vegetables like green beans, bell peppers, carrots, cauliflower, green peas, sweet corn, kalamata olives, etc. to it.
- For a protein boost, you can add white beans, chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans or grilled tofu to this dish. Vegetarians may add paneer, feta cheese, parmesan cheese, goat cheese, or any cheese of choice.
- Instead of using fresh tomatoes, you can also add canned crushed tomatoes.
- Feel free to use seasonings of your choice to flavor the dish.
- To add more flavor, cook quinoa in vegetable broth instead of water.
- Season the tomato mix well otherwise the quinoa will taste bland.
- More recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions are shared in the post above.
Nutrition
Calories: 294kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 651mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 967IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg