I have a great rewarding audience to cook for. We all share a common passion, food. Although hubs is not much of a kitchen person, his appreciation and knowledge of his food are admirably impressive.
I don’t have a strategy or agenda when cooking on most days. It’s even more experimentative when clearing the fridge and when I have nothing much going on. Sometimes, a meal comes from a place of annoyance and “Hey, I’m going to cook whatever…”
With nothing much going on and a lazy cast over me, I asked hubs to get some stuff and he downright pleaded not to go. He asked me to make some eggs or noodles (a go-to), and, of course, I did not want that. I was ready to eat something nice. Absolutely annoyed with nothing much to work with, I was inspired to make this. I sat down to eat, still grumpy. Then he responds, “When you are mad, you do come up with some delicious stuff!” He made me smile.
It’s one of those meals. To appease my nagging curiosity to come up with meals, this was a harmonious and triumphant one. It was one of our favorite meals of the week. I had a few requests for this recipe on insta, so I decided to blog it. The pictures are all iPhone ones. Thanks for stopping by, and Hope you are having a great Week.
- 2 bunches of broccolini
- 1 tbsp wasabi powder
- 2 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup quinoa
- pinch of saffron
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 2 whole green chillies
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ cup of coconut water or plain water
- 2 tbsp raisin
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Mix wasabi, water and oil well and keep aside.
- Toss the broccolini with the wasabi mixture and lay flat on a baking tray. Bake for 10 minutes or less depending on how you prefer your vegetables.
- Wash the quinoa well.
- In a heavy bottomed pan, add oil. Fry the ginger-garlic paste on low heat for few seconds. Slit the green chillies , add it to the pan and fry 10 seconds. BE careful, chillies might burst.
- Add the washed quinoa. Add the garam masala, cumin powder, saffron and salt.
- Mix well and add the coconut water or plain water. Bring it to a boil. Simmer and cover and cook for 15 minutes and let it sit for 10 minutes before you fluff it and serve.
- Toss some raisin and pine nuts for crunch and some sweetness.
I so admire creative cooks in the kitchen like you! I know I feel most proud when I can throw together a satisfying meal for my family with what’s on hand, and quick. I don’t do it with as much flare as you do so I know I need a lot more practice. : ) Seriously, this looks amazing. Your family is very lucky!
What a sweet thing to say Monica, you are too kind.
This looks freaking GOOD! Those sexy green broccolini are so great too..
Angie, in a way the broccolini did look sexy, I agree.
Love the Thomas Keller quote! And you really poured your soul into this dish — really, really nice. Thanks. And Happy New Year!
Thanks so much. I really was proud of this meal:).
I have never tried Broccolini! does it taste like broccoli? I love the plate..looks so healthy and filling! 🙂 also your photography is beautiful!
Thanks my dear. Broccolini is a bit sweeter and the stalks are more tender. They cook in lesser time. Give it a shot.
You take some ah-mazing iPhone photos, dear! And this quinoa pilaf – wow – it sounds fabulous with all its spices and raisins and nuts – wow! That alone would be my favorite meal of the week! And with that wasabi spiced broccolini on the side – this could be my favorite meal of the MONTH!!!
I guess I lucked out with the pictures on my phone for this one:). But, thanks Sashi, we did enjoy it quite a lot.
You have to cook for me, this plate of foods look amazing 🙂
Wouldn’t that be a pleasure, I will cook for you anytime. xoxo
I love this recipe! So glad your weeknight meal came together so beautifully. The saffron and wasabi are such rich flavors! 🙂
Thanks Medha!
This looks so good! I am always hungry for meals with quinoa 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by.
The combo of broccolini and wasabi sounds like it’s going to make my taste buds happy! This is totally being made this upcoming week!
Oh I’m so excited for you to try it out. thanks my girl.
If I made this for hubby (my audience) he would be most appreciative as he loves wasabi! 😀
Lorraine, thanks darlin.
Love this dish1 Going to make it. We love quinoa in our house and am always looking for new recipes using this super grain.
Thanks for sharing!
Happy New year!!!
Thanks Asmita, it’s also so so easy to make. Try it out.
I love that quote from Thomas Keller…so very true! Ash, this meal looks wonderful, and I love that you just threw it together with what you had. Sometimes the best meals come when you “wing it”. 🙂 I love broccolini, wasabi, saffron, and pretty much everything here! Pinned. 🙂
Thanks Marcie. I agree, the best meals do come from no plan. Thanks for pinning girl.
This is such a creative combination. I only get that sort of thing when I’m out of ideas and look in the refrigerator and go with what’s in there.
Totally, interesting meals do come out of necessity.
What a gorgeous plate of deliciousness! I’m going to add a quinoa pilaf to my menu very soon!
Thanks so much Liz, hope you get to try it out.
Delicious and GORGEOUS! What a great plate of food.
Thanks dear.
I wish I had served this scrumptious plate during the holidays! My beau loves wasabi….he eats fresh wasabi, too, haha. I bet he will love this spicy flavored broccolini. The saffron quinoa pilaf looks heavenly tasty…the spices and chiles…dang! Take care and have a peaceful week, Asha, thank you for dropping by comments during my busy month! 😉 I’m so happy you’re back on the blog!
I’m glad to be back too. Was a tough last year for our family, but life has to go on. Thanks for understanding and stopping by to support. Love you for that. Oh, hey hey, you need to make these for your beau soon.;-)