Lime and Peanut Quinoa (Stove top or Instant Pot)
Quinoa gets done so perfectly in the instant pot, I needed to update this recipe for the instant pot. Try it!
The rice substitution challenge started a few years ago. I focus less on the general concept of complexity but more on challenge. Nonetheless, the grain challenge commenced, there was brown rice, barley and finally there came Quinoa. They dueled valiantly, and I have to confess rice did not loose its competitive shrine but quinoa was a close second. I use it whenever I am feeling good and conscious about what I am eating. Well, now the daughter likes quinoa as well, offering it some more brownie points, she has my love for lime and lemons, so this lime and peanut quinoa was a huge plus.
Why Quinoa works well as a rice substitute
Quinoa, has a mild taste and pairs wonderfully with stronger seasonings. It health and nutritional benefits do not hurt. I had tried this recipe in summer, with a chockfull of summer vegetables and we were thrilled with the wonderful one dish meal, nutritious, balanced and complete with gentle fresh flavors. I have mostly worked with white or golden Quinoa, its texture is better suited as a rice substitute.
My Lime and Peanut Quinoa Story
This weekend I re-worked an old classic – Lime or Lemon Rice. The first time around I added turmeric to the cooking water and the appearance of the cooked Quinoa was a disappointment. Instead of the delicate pale yellow hues, the naturally beige color of the quinoa came streaked with a yellow mealy texture. Since I had a bowl of toasted peanuts and freshly squeezed lemon juice I persisted and Lime Quinoa was born. Take two, I added turmeric later in the game and a beautiful dish was born. I had a carrot lying around that I tossed in for color as well. Later in the game in this case meant, I added it in with the tempering oil.
With the husband and kids, this dish became all about the peanuts! Of course, for me it was mostly about the lime, something for everyone!
Recipes where I have effectively subbed quinoa for rice include Quinoa fried rice and Quinoa vegetable biryani.
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A quinoa version of the South Indian classic recipe for lemon rice.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup white quinoa
- Water for cooking the quinoa
- 1 and ½ teaspoons salt
- ½ cup raw blanched peanuts
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- 10-15 curry leaves
- 2 dried red chilies
- 1/8 teaspoon asafetida
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 small tomato, cut into a dice (optional)
- Two limes
- 1 medium sized carrot grated
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
Instructions
- Place the water and the quinoa in a cooking pot and bring the water to a simmer. Add in the salt, t and the quinoa and cook for about 20 minutes, until the quinoa is soft. I add plenty of water and then drain the quinoa in a colander
- While the quinoa is cooking, place the peanuts on a skillet and lightly toast the peanuts until they are pale golden.
- Heat the oil on medium heat for 1 minute. Add the mustard seeds and the cumin seeds and wait till the mustard begins to crackle.
- In quick progression add in the curry leaves and the dried red chilies and the asafetida.
- Stir in the turmeric and mix the drained cooked quinoa.
- Add in the tomato if using.
- Gently stir in the peanuts, cut the limes and squeeze in the juice.
- Stir in the grated carrots.
- Stir in the cilantro and serve hot.
- Instant Pot Directions
- (Note: the order of ingredients will be different)
- Turn the instant pot to saute mode. Add in the oil and heat for a minute. Add in the mustard seeds and wait until the seeds begin to crackle. Add in the cumin seeds and curry leaves. Add in the asafetida. Stir in the turmeric and the tomato.
- Add the quinoa with 1/2 cup of water and the salt. Turn off the saute mode. Cover and set on 1 minute pressure. Release the pressure after 5 minutes.
- While this is cooking, gently dry toast the peanuts.
- Stir in the peanuts and the lime juice. Garnish with the cilantro and serve.
Notes
Most of the time in this dish is for cooking the quinoa which pretty much happens by itself.