Fried Quinoa

Say it with me - keen-wa. 

Quinoa is considered a superfood. It is has a very high protein content (containing all 9 essential amino acids) and is a good source of dietary fibre. It's also high in iron and magnesium, so good for those who are prone to migraines (like me). As a source of calcium, it is also useful for vegans and those who are lactose intolerant (again, like me).  As it is also actually a seed, and not a grain, it is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Like I said - a superfood. 

It's easy to prepare, just cook it like you do rice and it goes with a whole host of things. As a main dish in itself or just as a side. In this recipe I've done a similar thing to my special rice, using asian influences, but obviously replacing rice with quinoa. 

Again, like in my rice dish, I've pretty much used the veggies that I had at hand so others will work just as well - courgettes, bak choy, sugar snap peas etc.

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, uncooked
500ml (2 cups) vegetable or chicken stock (or water)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon chopped red chilli
1 medium red onion, finely diced
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
1 cup tenderstem broccoli
1 cup baby spinach
1 cup mushrooms (I didn't have any to hand when I made it but wish I'd had some)
1 red to or yellow pepper, diced
3 tablespoons dark soy sauce
2 eggs
Light soy sauce, to taste
Serves 4 (or 2, with enough for 2nd helpings...and lunch the next day)

I also added some leftover cooked chicken to mine, but this is just an extra. Or you could use raw chicken and add it in at the beginning, cooking with the onions.

To Make:

• Rinse quinoa in a sieve under cold water. 
• In a medium pan bring the quinoa and water or stock to a boil
• Allow to cook, covered, for 15 minutes, on a low heat.
• While the quinoa cooks chop the veggies.

• Fluff up the cooked quinoa with a fork.
• In a large pan or wok heat the oil, chilli, garlic and ginger and cook the onions.

• Cook until softened, about 5 minutes on a med-low heat and then add the mushrooms, broccoli and peppers. Cook for another 5 minutes.
• Add the peas and spinach, cook on low until the spinach begins to wilt
• Add the quinoa and soy sauce.

• Stir well to combine.
• Push fried quinoa to the side of your pan to create a hole and crack the eggs inside the hole and let cook for 1 to 2 minutes. 

• Gently mix the quinoa and eggs. Let cook for an additional minute. Mix again. Repeat until egg is completely cooked. 
• Serve immediately. Add soy sauce to taste.