- Updated: October 29, 2020
This is an original recipe. I thought of it while searching for mushroom dishes.
Quinoa is the seed of the Chenopodium quinoa plant originating from South America and is not a grain. However, it is similar in nutrients and eaten the same way as cereal grains.
The quinoa should be well rinsed before cooking it to remove the outer coating, called saponin, which can leave a bitter taste. Some brands do this before packaging their quinoa and will then label them as pre-washed. But it is better to do it again at home just to make sure the saponin is fully washed away.
Quinoa seeds are cooked in the same way as rice, and have a sweet, nutty flavour and texture. When they are cooked, they appear translucent with the germ ring visible along the outer edge of the grain.
Note:
Tsp = tablespoon
Chopped = chopped or cut into ½ cm pieces
How to make mushroom quinoa
1. Take ½ cup quinoa in a fine strainer and rinse well in running water. Soak quinoa in water for 5 – 10 minutes and set aside in the fine strainer. Rinse ½ cup moong dal and set aside.
2. Heat 1½ tsp oil in a pan. Add finely chopped shallots, garlic and ginger.
3. Stir and sauté on a low flame for 2 minutes.
4. Then add the chopped mushrooms.
5. Stir and sauté on a low flame for 2 minutes.
6. Then add the quinoa toasting them on a low flame.
5. Sauté for about half a minute.
9. Then add 1 to 1¼ cups of water or mushroom stock.
7. Stir and sauté on a low to medium flame.
13. Add salt and stir well.
14. Cover the pan with its lid and simmer on a low flame till the quinoa seeds are cooked.
15. Stir the dish once or twice while it is simmering.
16. When all the water has been absorbed and the grains appear translucent and cooked, remove the lid, and switch off the flame. It will take about 20 minutes for the quinoa to cook.
17. Add 2 – 4 tbsp chopped spring onions.
18. Give a quick stir and serve the mushroom quinoa hot or warm. Serve with rice (optional).
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine inspiration: Malaysian Chinese
Ingredients
½ cup quinoa
1 to 1½ tablespoon oil
1 to 2 medium size shallots finely chopped
4 to 6 cloves garlic finely chopped
¼ tablespoon finely chopped ginger
1 to 2 cups water or mushroom stock – to adjust as required
2 – 4 medium shiitake mushrooms chopped
2 to 4 tablespoons chopped spring onions
½ tablespoon salt – to adjust as required