Sunday, February 9, 2014

"Tamarind Quinoa" and "Cranberry Panchamrut"

"Puliogare"(Tamarind Rice) ..the quick version with MTR Puliogare powder..has become my 'to-go' favorite recipe! The rice comes out so flavorful and is ready in minutes! I almost sound like a MTR spokesperson don't I ;)
 In the quest to find more ways to use Quinoa in 'acceptable' ways in an Indian household...I came up with the 'swap' version...where the boiled rice is replaced with boiled Quinoa...and you have a nutritious,wholesome and 'Tangy-Spicy' meal ready!
Spicy-Tangy-Sweet Panchamrut:
Panchamrut is a maharashtrian favorite...sort of  a 'Chutney" made with roasted peanuts, coconut, tamarind, jaggery, green chilies etc. To add to the 'Sweet-tangy' theme..I added dried cranberries to give a boost of color and flavor!

Ingredients:
For Tamarind Quinoa:
3/4th cup quinoa boiled as per package directions with some salt
1tbsp roasted peanuts
1-2tbsp MTR Puliogare powder
1tsp each Urad dal, chana dal
1/2tsp Red chili powder
1/2tsp mustard seeds
few curry leaves
2tsp oil
Cilantro for garnish

Method:
1) Boil quinoa till fluffy.Fluff with a fork and let it cool.
2) Heat oil, add mustard,the dals and fry till light brown. Add the peanuts, puliogare powder,chili powder curry leaves and the boiled quinoa, toss.
Done!
Cranberry Panchamrut

Ingredients:
1/2 cup roasted peanuts
1/4 cup dry roasted coconut
1/4cup dried cranberries
1tsp maharashtrian goda masala
1tsp jaggery
1tsp oil
2 green chilies
1/2 tsp each mustard, cumin, methi seeds
1/2tsp Tamicon tamarind concentrate
1/2tsp red chili powder
1/2tsp turmeric
1 pinch asafetida(hing)
few curry leaves
salt

Method:
1)  In a blender, turn the coconut,peanuts, tamarind, jaggery into coarse paste
2) Heat oil, add mustard, cumin, methi seeds, curry leaves, turmeric.Add the coconut-peanut paste and the rest of the spices and some water
3) Add the cranberries and cook for 1 min.
Serve like 'Chutney" with Chapati/ rice/ Ghavan etc