PROTEIN RICH QUINOA BOWL

Ingredients

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 tbsp oil
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1 cup water
• 1 tbsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 1 tsp ginger minced
• 1/4 tsp red chilli flakes
• 2 tbsp maple syrup/honey
• 1 1/2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper powder
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 cup zucchini diced
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 1 cup mushroom slices
• 1 cup sweet pepper diced
• 1/2 cup carrot diced
• 1/4 cup onion chopped
• 1 tsp garlic minced
• 1 tbsp spring onion white part (chopped)
• 1 tbsp spring onion green part (chopped)
• 1/4 cup cashew nuts
• 200 g tofu sticks
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2-3 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/4 tsp pepper powder

Instructions

1. 1

   --- PREPARATION OF ORANGE SAUCE ---

2. 2

   Mix ¼ cup water and cornstarch well.

3. 3

   Heat oil in a small pan over low heat.

4. 4

   Add garlic and ginger. Stir fry for 1 minute.

5. 5

   Add the remaining water, orange juice, soy sauce, vinegar, salt, orange zest and maple syrup.

6. 6

   Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.

7. 7

   Add the chilli flakes.

8. 8

   Allow the mixture to simmer for 2-3 minutes.

9. 9

   Add the cornstarch slurry, while stirring the mixture all the time.

10. 10

    Cook the sauce, stirring continuously till it becomes thick.

11. 11

    Take the pan off the heat.

12. 12

    Add pepper powder. Mix well.

13. 13

    Keep the sauce on the side till required.

14. 14

    --- COOK THE QUINOA ---

15. 15

    Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.

16. 16

    Add the quinoa and toast it for 1-2 minute, mixing all the time.

17. 17

    Add the water and salt.

18. 18

    Bring the mixture to a simmer.

19. 19

    After it begins to simmer, cook the quinoa for 15-20 minutes.

20. 20

    By then all the water will have evaporated.

21. 21

    --- PAN FRY THE TOFU STICKS ---

22. 22

    Remove the frozen tofu fingers from the packet.

23. 23

    Add the oil in the frying pan over medium heat.

24. 24

    When the oil is hot add the tofu fingers.

25. 25

    Allow them to cook till golden brown on all sides.

26. 26

    Turn the sides once they are golden brown.

27. 27

    Remove the roasted tofu fingers into a plate.

28. 28

    Alternately, you can marinate the tofu in your favourite marinade for 30 minutes or overnight.

29. 29

    Pan fry the tofu till it becomes golden brown.

30. 30

    --- STIR FRY THE VEGETABLES ---

31. 31

    In the same frying pan, add more oil if required.

32. 32

    Add sesame seeds.

33. 33

    Stir fry the onion for 2 minutes.

34. 34

    Add the cashew nuts. Stir fry for 1 minute.

35. 35

    Add white part of the spring onion and stir fry for 30 seconds.

36. 36

    Add all the vegetables and salt.

37. 37

    Stir fry on high heat for 3-4 minutes.

38. 38

    When the mushrooms become a bit soft, the vegetables are ready.

39. 39

    Add the pepper powder.

40. 40

    Do not over cook them.

41. 41

    --- HOW TO SERVE ---

42. 42

    Divide the quinoa between 2 big bowls.

43. 43

    Add half of the stir fried vegetables.

44. 44

    Add 3-4 tofu sticks.

45. 45

    Drizzle some Orange Sauce.

46. 46

    Sprinkle some spring onion green part.