Tri-colour Quinoa Pongal | How to make Quinoa Ven Pongal
Kalyani
Quinoa Ven Pongal is a Gluten Free, Nutritious Pongal made with Quinoa and split green gram. Served for breakfast, brunch or dinner with Chutney or sambhar
1/2tspAsafoetidaHing / Perungayam, skip for Gluten Free
1tspWhole Black Pepperslightly crushed
1tspGingergrated
1sprigCurry Leaves
Instructions
Wash and soak quinoa in warm water for 15 mins.
Roast moong dal in 1 tsp of ghee and soak for 15 mins with 1 cup of hot water
After 15 mins, cook Moong dal with the soaked wate, 1 tsp Ghee and turmeric, adding 1/2 cup more water for 3 whistles till done.
Wait till the pressure drops
Meanwhile In an open pan, drain the soaked quinoa and cook till done but not mushy.
In a pan, add the cooked moong dal and quinoa, salt and mix throughly.
Let it simmer for 3-4 mins till slightly mushy.
In another small pan, add remaining ghee, fry cashews till golden brown, set aside.
In the same ghee, Splutter curry leaves, cumin, asafoetida, ginger and rest of the tempering ingredients.
Add this tempering along with the cashews to the pongal.
Switch off.
Serve hot with Avial, Coconut Chutney or eat it plain. So yum!!
Notes
Tips to make a great Quinoa Ven Pongal
Make sure to wash the Quinoa thoroughly and soak it for at least 15 mins prior to cooking
You may cook the quinoa and moong dal together in a pressure cooker, but I prefer the quinoa separately and then add to the cooked moong dal - that way it didn’t turn pasty and gooey.
Ratio of water to cook quinoa is generally 1:3 (on open stove), but I used 3.5 cups of water as I needed it to be slightly mushy yet have a slightly nutty taste.
Don’t skip on ghee to make this pongal. If you are vegan, try with plant based subs for ghee, and do let me know in the comments below how you liked it.