Quinoa coconut milk pulav

A couple of months ago, I posted the photo on a popular foodie group and got good reviews about it and there were many readers asking for the quinoa recipe. I couldn't get to post the recipe until now since I was busy with the kids and adjusting to their new school routine. This is a very simple recipe when you are short on time and still want to have something healthy and filling. This pairs well with just a simple raita and pickle.

Ingredients:
1. Quinoa, 1 cup.
2. Diced onions, 1 cup.
3. Green chilies, 3-4, slit into two.
4. Ginger-garlic paste, 1 teaspoon.
5. Mixed vegetables like carrots, green beans, peas, bell peppers etc, diced into small pieces, aeound 1-1/2 cups.
6. Bay leaves, 2.
6. Cardamon pods, 2.
7. Cinnamon, a small stick.
8. Cumin seeds, 1 teaspoon.
9. Coconut milk, 1/2 cup.
10. Curry leaves, a few.
11. Salt, as per taste.

Preparation:
Heat a pan with a tablespoon of oil. When the oil is hot, add the cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, bay leaves, and cardamom pods and fry for a few seconds.  Add the diced onions now and saute for a few minutes until translucent. Now add the ginger-garlic paste, green chilies, curry leaves, diced vegetables, and salt and mix everything well. Add 1/2 cup of water along with the coconut milk and let it come to a boil. (At this stage you can transfer the contents to a pressure cooker or rice cooker, add the quinoa and let it cook like rice.) Add the quinoa now and cook closed for around 10-12 minutes under medium-to-low flame until the quinoa is cooked and all the water is absorbed.  Serve with any preferred side dish and yogurt.