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Fried Quinoa with Eggplant and Chinese Cabbage


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  • Author: Mariela Alvarez Toro
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 2
  • Diet: Gluten-Free, Omnivore, Vegetarian

Description

Salty, fatty, and lip-smacking delicious! This fried quinoa bowl balances earthy eggplant and bok choy with savory soy and miso.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cups (237 ml) quinoa
  • 1 cups (237 ml) vegetable broth or water
  • 1 pinch of salt
  • 1 cups (237 ml) eggplant cubed small, from half a large eggplant
  • 2 tbsp. vegetable or sunflower oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and diced
  • 1 small onion, diced small
  • 2 tbsp. tamari, or soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp. water
  • 1 tbsp. miso paste
  • 1-inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and grated
  • 1 bunch Chinese cabbage (bok choy)
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 handful fresh cilantro
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • 1 tbsp. roasted peanuts or sunflower seeds

Instructions

  1. Place quinoa in a large bowl with enough water to cover it by an inch. Stir quinoa a couple of times, then drain through a sieve.
  2. In a pot, place 1 cup of vegetable broth or water with 1 cup of quinoa and a pinch of salt.
  3. Bring water to a boil, and then reduce heat to medium-high.
  4. Simmer until most of the water has been absorbed.
  5. Turn heat to low, cover and cook for another 10-15 minutes.
  6. Quinoa is cooked when translucent, a small white ring will emerge around the grain when ready.
  7. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to use.
  8. To make Fried Quinoa:
  9. Place a cast iron pan over high heat.
  10. When hot, add a tablespoon of oil and eggplant.
  11. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about ten minutes until eggplant is soft throughout and crispy on the edges.
  12. Add another tablespoon of oil if necessary.
  13. Place another large sauté pan over high heat.
  14. Add another tablespoon of oil, diced onions and garlic.
  15. Reduce heat to medium and cook until translucent and soft (about 5-8 minutes).
  16. In a separate cup whisk together soy sauce, miso paste, and ginger.
  17. Add soy-miso paste into the pan and stir.
  18. Reduce heat to low.
  19. Add cooked quinoa and eggplant. Stir until well incorporated.
  20. Thinly slice Chinese cabbage and add to pan, cover for a couple of minutes, until cabbage starts to wilt.
  21. Whisk two eggs together then pour over quinoa.
  22. Stir constantly for two minutes until softly scrambled and well incorporated.
  23. Remove from heat.
  24. Add chopped cilantro, green onions and peanuts over quinoa.
  25. Serve immediately with a side of soy sauce.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, use a combination of vegetable broth and water to cook the quinoa.
  • If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can substitute 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.
  • To prevent the quinoa from becoming mushy, be sure to fluff it with a fork after cooking and before adding it to the pan.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stir-Frying
  • Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1.5 cups
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5
  • Sodium: 600
  • Fat: 20
  • Saturated Fat: 4
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14
  • Carbohydrates: 60
  • Fiber: 8
  • Protein: 15
  • Cholesterol: 100