Vegetable Stir-Fry with Quinoa and Cottage Cheese
A wholesome and protein-packed one-pan meal. Fluffy quinoa and colorful vegetables are stir-fried with Indian spices and tender cottage cheese for a quick, nutritious dinner ready in 30 minutes.
For 6 servings
Cook the quinoa
- Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold running water until the water runs clear.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil.
- Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until all the water is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Prepare the paneer and vegetables
- While the quinoa cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat.
- Add the paneer cubes and pan-fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.
Stir-fry the aromatics and vegetables
- In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil.
- Add the cumin seeds and let them splutter for about 30 seconds.
- Add the chopped onion, minced ginger, and garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Add the carrot and broccoli florets. Stir-fry for 3-4 minutes until they are slightly tender-crisp.
- Add the sliced bell pepper and stir-fry for another 2 minutes. The vegetables should remain crunchy.
Combine everything
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Stir for 30 seconds.
- Add the cooked quinoa and the fried paneer cubes to the pan.
- Pour in the soy sauce and gently toss everything together until well combined.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Finish and serve
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the garam masala and fresh lemon juice.
- Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.
- Serve hot as a complete, balanced meal.
What to keep in mind.
4 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Always rinse quinoa thoroughly before cooking to remove its natural bitter coating, called saponin.
- 2For extra flavor, you can toast the quinoa in the dry saucepan for a minute before adding water.
- 3Don't overcook the vegetables; they should be tender-crisp to provide a nice texture contrast to the soft quinoa and paneer.
- 4This dish is great for meal prep. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegan
Replace the paneer with firm tofu or edamame for a delicious plant-based version.
gluten freeGluten free
This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure you use a certified gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
high proteinHigh protein
Add 1/2 cup of boiled chickpeas or black beans along with the vegetables to boost the protein content.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Reduce or omit the red chili powder and use finely chopped vegetables that your kids enjoy, like corn and peas.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Complete Protein Source
Quinoa is one of the few plant foods that contain all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein source, essential for muscle repair and growth.
Rich in Fiber
The combination of quinoa and vegetables provides a high amount of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes satiety, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
Packed with Vitamins and Minerals
The colorful assortment of vegetables delivers a wide range of vitamins like Vitamin C and K, and minerals such as potassium and iron.
Good for Bone Health
Paneer is an excellent source of calcium and phosphorus, both of which are crucial for maintaining strong and healthy bones and teeth.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is a very healthy and balanced meal. Quinoa provides complete protein and fiber, paneer adds more protein and calcium, and the variety of vegetables offers essential vitamins and minerals.
