Time and again we get to hear about how exotic wonder foods are now becoming more and more popular for their magical health benefits and a low-calorie count. From exotic berries like goji berries, seeds like chia or flax, wheat grass and of course, the super-grain - Quinoa. A flowering crop that is mainly grown for its edible seeds, quinoa is gluten-free and thus makes for a great replacement of rice for people who have gluten allergies. Known to be a complete food in itself, quinoa is aptly called the super-grain for being a good source of nutrients such as protein, fibre, magnesium, vitamin B, iron, potassium, calcium and many more. Experts reveal that it also has the lowest ratio of carbohydrates as compared to any other grain, and is also full of fibre - twice as much as any other grain and is great for digestion.
With so many health benefits together, wouldn't life great easier if we could incorporate this healthy grain into our diet? And no, we aren’t asking you to dish out those classic, often boring quinoa salads or bowl meals. We have five amazing ways to incorporate quinoa in your classic Indian dishes. So make your everyday desi meals healthier without compromising on their spicy flavour.
1. Butter Chicken With Quinoa Rice
The combination of butter chicken with rice is the ultimate comfort food one can think of. Imagine if you could make it healthier. Make it with low-carb rice with quinoa, and pair with your favourite yummy butter chicken. Sounds amazing, doesn't it? That is what quinoa is! Eat your butter chicken with quinoa rice and you will never have regular rice again.
2. Quinoa Idli Tikka
Idli tikka sounds delicious already, and we are just giving it a super healthy twist. Simply replace the regular flour for idli with quinoa flour, and serve this delicious and healthy idli tikka as an appetizer. Your regular idli made all the healthier and lip-smackingly delicious.
3. Quinoa Oats Dhokla
Your staple Gujarati snack made healthy, protein and fibre-rich with quinoa. All you need is to mix quinoa and oats with yogurt, salt, eno, oil and water for a thick batter, and steam it to perfection. Isn’t that super easy and quick!?
4. Quinoa Upma
This south Indian breakfast is a favourite comfort food of many across the country. While usually upma is cooked as thick porridge from dry-roasted semolina or coarse rice flour, across many households, this one made with quinoa is perfect for those with gluten-allergies. Sooji isn’t suitable for anyone who has gluten allergy, quinoa being a versatile ingredient can be a great substitute to may gluten ingredients. So why not make use in upma?
5. Chicken Quinoa Biryani
You didn’t see this one coming, did you? Most non-vegetarians love chicken biryani, and it is perhaps the best combination of rice, chicken and masala. But what if we told you that there is a healthier way to make biryani, that is without putting a single morsel of rice? Surprised? Well, all you need to do is replace rice with quinoa on your regular biryani.