Serves: 2–3
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min
🥘 Ingredients
Base
- 1 cup quinoa (rinsed well)
- 1 can chickpeas (or 1.5 cups cooked)
- 2 cups spinach (fresh or 1 cup frozen)
- 2.25 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped (or ½ cup canned tomatoes)
- 3–4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1-inch ginger, grated
- 1 green chili, slit (optional)
Spices
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp mustard seeds (optional)
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1–1.5 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- ½ tsp red chili powder (optional)
- Salt to taste
Oil
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil, ghee, or coconut oil
Optional add-ins
- ½ tsp amchur (dry mango powder) or lemon juice
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
🍲 Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot or deep pan over medium heat.
- Add cumin seeds and mustard seeds; let them crackle.
- Add onion, sauté until translucent (3–4 minutes).
- Add ginger, garlic, and green chili; sauté for 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes and cook until soft and pulpy.
- Add all dry spices (turmeric, coriander, garam masala, red chili powder); cook 1 minute.
- Add chickpeas and mix to coat with spices.
- Add rinsed quinoa, toast for 1–2 minutes.
- Add water or broth, bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes, or until quinoa is fluffy.
- Stir in spinach, cover again for 2–3 minutes to wilt.
- Add salt, lemon juice, and adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve hot.

