Fried Quinoa or Quinoa Fried Rice? Which of the two would you like to call this dish?
I read a comment on a Facebook post stating that if you are attempting to omit or reduce the consumption of rice from your diet, it is not advisable to refer to minced cauliflower or chopped cabbage as rice. The person who made the comment is a doctor. From the conversation, I understood that continually calling cauliflower or chopped cabbage “rice” may convince your brain that you are still eating rice, potentially leading it to suggest, “Why not eat actual rice instead?”
The recipe I am sharing today is not related to cauliflower or cabbage, but I used to call it “Quinoa Fried Rice.” Although it is also a grain, it differs from white rice. Due to health reasons and my belief that quinoa offers more benefits than white rice, I made Fried Quinoa. See? I removed the term “rice” from its name so my brain wouldn’t distract my thoughts when I eat. Did it work? Did I successfully convince my brain that I was satisfied with what I ate? Yes, I believe so. As others say, “It’s all about mindset.” But let’s see how long I can continue convincing my brain.
Okay, enough with the chitchat!
This recipe is a slightly updated version of the one I shared before. How is it updated? I added chicken powder to enhance the flavor and switched up the veggies.
It is also an ideal choice for meal prep or a satisfying work lunch, and I love pairing it with chicken nuggets or chicken fingers.
NOTES ON FRIED QUINOA:
- For the quinoa, I measured one cup (rice cooker cup) of dried quinoa, washed it twice, and added 2 cups (using the same rice cooker cup) of water. I used a rice cooker to cook the quinoa. You can use the entire cooked quinoa when making this fried rice.
- Feel free to add more protein if you’d like.
WANNA SEE HOW I MADE THIS?
I shared a recipe video on our YouTube channel. I hope you can check it out. While you are there, maybe you’ll see something you’d like. If you do, please don’t forget to share, like, and subscribe. Hope to see you there!
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Fried Quinoa
Fried Quinoa is a healthier spin on fried rice, featuring quinoa stir-fried with veggies. It's tasty and offers a well-balanced dish with a unique texture.
Ingredients
- Cooking oil
- 2 beaten eggs
- 1 sliced onion
- ½ cup chopped carrots
- 2/3 cup corn kernels
- 2 cups cooked quinoa (see notes)
- 1-2 tsp chicken powder or seasoning granules
- Salt to taste
- Sliced spring onions
Instructions
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Heat cooking oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
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Add beaten eggs; scramble and cook to desired doneness. Transfer cooked eggs to a plate.
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In the same pan, add more oil if needed.
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Cook onions for about two minutes.
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Add chopped carrots; cook for another two minutes.
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Add corn kernels, cooked quinoa, chicken powder (or seasoning granules), and salt. Mix until quinoa is warm.
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Add back the scrambled eggs to the pan along with sliced spring onions.
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Ready to enjoy, but it pairs well with fried chicken fingers or chicken nuggets.
Recipe Notes
- For the quinoa, I measured one cup (rice cooker cup) of dried quinoa, washed it twice, and added 2 cups (using the same rice cooker cup) of water. I used a rice cooker to cook the quinoa. You can use the entire cooked quinoa when making this fried rice.
- Feel free to add more protein if you’d like.
