Aarti Paarti Ep. 9: South Indian Coconut Quinoa

Don't you just love quinoa? The nutty grain is such a delicious, cheap and flexible source of protein. It works especially well with a South Indian bouquet of fresh coconut, mustard seeds, cumin seeds, tomato and coconut milk. And just because we need to eat our vegetables, how about a head of broccoli in there too?

Oh! And watch for me to play the ukulele! I just learned to play that song two days ago!

You'll need:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
2 tbsp vegetable/canola oil
1 tsp black mustard seeds
1 tsp cumin seeds
1/2 fenugreek seeds
6 dried or fresh curry leaves
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 15oz can whole tomatoes, chopped, juices reserved
1/3 cup fresh coconut (you can get frozen shredded stuff at the Indian shops)
1 15oz can lite coconut milk
1/2 cup tomato juice (from the canned tomatoes)
Handful cashews
2 cups broccoli florets
salt and pepper

1) Warm oil in a saucepan until shimmering
2) Add cumin and mustard seeds. They should sizzle upon contact. Cook for 30 seconds or so, until they're done spluttering.
3) Add turmeric, fenugreek and curry leaves. Cook 30 seconds
4) Add chopped tomatoes and shredded coconut. Cook 5 minutes, until tomatoes break down a bit.
5) Add tomato juice and coconut milk. Season, and bring to a boil.
6) Add quinoa and cashews. Stir, then turn heat down to a simmer, cover and cook about 10 minutes until nearly almost cooked, but still soupy.
7) Add broccoli in one layer over the top of the quinoa. Add more water if it's too dry. Cover and cook 5 minutes until broccoli is tender. Serve!

Opening song: Fast Food Senegal by Amadou et Mariam (with Manu Chao)

All video is mine! Hands off please!

Check out my blog for more food-related chuckles! www.aartilla.blogspot.com

-x-
aarti

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• twinkle twinkle
• star
• curry leaves
• fenugreek
• cheap food
• cheap recipe
• budget recipe
• budget
• easy recipe

[mattholmquist]

On a different note, I was immediately charmed by you and your bright personality :D I spent my Friday night watching episode after episode. Im going to make those bacon wrapped Dates for my guests at my very next party! I was wondering are those fresh dates you get from the produce area or how are they packaged? Thanks for all the great recipes and for being so much fun to watch! You are so cute!

Lisa from Minnesota again ;)

[aartipaarti]

@mattholmquist Thank you so much Lisa! This is such a sweet message. Yup, those dates that you find in the produce aisle should work fine!

[xbebeify]

You need to be on food network!

[hollandhoney]

@xbebeify She is now .......awesome isn't it....

[eriedutchgirl]

Stumbled across your foodnetwork show when I had the flu and my cooking hasn't been the same since! Every recipe really works, and I'm learning so much about different spices. What I like best is that your recipes are organic---I feel that i can swap things in and out and make changes based on what I have on hand at the time... your recipes inspire confidence and experiment and i appreciate it! I'm sending the link to my now-Aarti-addicted brother who went bananas over this one...

[AnitasHealthBlog]

It's actually not a grain, it's a seed:)

[FM897]

What's so great about this is that a vegan student could make it in his or her dorm :)

[s1986ist]

I really really love your shows on this!I saw your show for the 1st time today on Food Network UK. It's brilliant!I'm from Ireland so I had never heard of you!You're brilliant!The very best of luck to you!!I will definately be trying your dishes!!: D Serena x

[gunkapoor]

can i use whole tomatoes instead?

[seanmcpherson1]

you said teaspoons, but it looks like tablespoons.

[whenshaltthoubebetta]

I'm in my 20's yet date older women... this is why. just listen to that mature intellectual vibe she gives off. You can tell she's an intricate intelligent woman. And Really it's the woman that makes the man.

[GaJl2010]

This looks amazing! Going to the store right now to get the stuff to make this tonight!

[KenyainJuly]

I'm a college kid trying to eat (somewhat) healthy on a tight budget. All of your recipes are lovely and fit the bill perfectly! Love these videos and plan on checking out your show on Food Network when I can!