2016-01-27
Joybynature.com Team
Jan
27

Doesn’t the mention of Indian street food leave your mouth watering!! It definitely does! While the growing pollution and the aspect of street food being unhygienic robs it off its inherent attraction to an extent, we find it difficult to resist its alluring aroma.

To make you savour the same taste with a little twist, let us try out a new recipe round the block – It’s Quinoa Tikki!! The same taste and aroma like that of the raved Aloo tikki with the goodness & health benefits of organic quinoa.

Wondering what is Quinoa is? Quinoa is a grain-like seed that is native to South America and is one of the richest sources of protein and is absolutely gluten free. Organic Quinoa is rich on fibers and is easily digestible. In fact, Quinoa is said to have more calcium content than even milk and is hence considered as a complete food in itself.

Being low in calories, dense on energy and also lowest on carbohydrates among cereals, organic Quinoa is touted as a great food for people looking for some weight loss! So for all the weight-conscious folks out there, here is your substitute to the Indian Aloo tikki -Quinoa tikki -in two easy to prepare recipes!

Recipe 1: Pure Vegetarian Preparation

Ingredients:

For this recipe you would require:

1/2 cup Quinoa
1/4 cup mashed paneer (optional)
1 medium potato, boiled and mashed
1/2 medium-sizedfinely chopped onion
1 tsp grated garlic and ginger each
1 tbsp.finely chopped cilantro
2 tbsp. roasted rava
11/2 tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp cumin (jeera)
1/4 tsp Garam masala powder
A pinch of asafetida(hing)
1/4 tsp red chili powder
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste

Preparing Quinoa for the Dish:

To prepare Quinoa for this dish, dry roast the organic quinoa on medium heat till they start to sputter. Wash the roasted quinoa thoroughly under water. Now heat ¾ cup of water in a saucepan and add the washed quinoa to it along with ¼ tsp salt and allow it to boil. Reduce the heat and cover the saucepan with a lid, when the mixture starts to boil. Cook for 15-20 minutes (till the quinoa starts to appear translucent). Remove the pan from the stove, but keep the lid on.

For the Tikki:

For the tikki, heat about 1 tsp oil in a shallow pan. Add the cumin and asafoetida. When the cumin starts spluttering, add the ginger and garlic and fry till light brown. Now add the chopped onions and fry until they turn pinkish. Add turmeric powder, red chili powder, cilantro and the garam masala powder and fry for 2-3 minutes.

Mix the cooked quinoa with mashed potatoes (and paneer if desired) in a bowl along with the prepared masala in the step above. Roll the mixture thus prepared to make about 2″ big patties. Roll it into the roasted rava and roast on a pan on medium heat, brushing with some oil to prevent the patties from sticking to the pan.

Serve your Quinoa tikki with mint chutney or tomato ketchup.

Recipe 2: Preparation Using Egg White

Ingredients:

For this recipe you would require:

11/2 cups water

3/4 cup quinoa

2 garlic cloves, grated

1/4 tsp salt

2 large egg whites

1/2 cup freshly grated cheese

1/2 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil

6 cups baby spinach leaves

1 cup salsa (optional)

 

Preparing The Tikki:

Boil the water in a saucepan and add the Organic Quinoa, garlic and salt. Cover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Now remove the lid and cook for 2 minutes until dry. Transfer the contents into a large bowl and allow to cool.

 

Now add the egg whites, grated cheese, basil and pepper into the quinoa. Heat about 2 tsp of olive oil over medium heat in a flat tawa. Now make patties out of the quinoa mixture prepared and cook these on the tawa till golden brown. Transfer these patties on a baking sheet and bake the patties for 5 minutes in a pre-heated oven (heated to 350 degrees). Serve with the salsa.

 

So put on your Chef’s hat and get cooking this delicious snacks now! Serve this dish to friends over the evening party or let the kids enjoy a lip-smacking snack for the evening!!

Check out the benefits of organic quinoa in greater details here.

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