A vibrant harmony of colors greets you, from the scattered pops of yellow corn, green peas, and red bell peppers nestled in the fluffy bed of spiced quinoa. A generous swirl of light-green chive raita decorates the top like an edible garland. It's a picture-perfect example of a comforting, yet decidedly exotic brunch.

Spiced Quinoa Upma with Chive Raita

Name: Spiced Quinoa Upma with Chive Raita
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Indian
Ingredients: 1/2 cup Chives finely chopped; 2 cups Quinoa uncooked; 1 tsp Mustard Seeds none; 1 tsp Cumin Seeds none; 1 Onion medium-sized, finely chopped; 2 Bell Peppers finely chopped; 1 cup Frozen Corn none; 1 cup Frozen Peas none; 2 cups Greek Yogurt unflavored; 1 Lemon juiced; 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder none; Handful Curry leaves roughly torn; 2 Tbsp Coconut Oil none; to taste Salt none

A warm, spiced quinoa dish served with cooling chive raita.

Category Brunch

Prep 20 minutes

Cook 30 minutes

Style Indian

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily recipe · November 15, 2025

A little about this dish

As warmth succumbs to the gentle chill of November, we present this unique brunch recipe, inspired by the rich tapestry of Indian cuisine. It’s an exciting fusion of traditional comfort foods, brightened up by the gentle oniony hints of fresh chives. Quinoa, a nutritious grain, serves as our canvas, and is cleverly spiced and adorned with veggies, creating a balanced, flavorful, and satisfying dish.

Ingredients (for 4)

Chives — 1/2 cup — finely chopped
Quinoa — 2 cups — uncooked
Mustard seeds — 1 tsp — none
Cumin seeds — 1 tsp — none
Onion — 1 — medium-sized, finely chopped
Bell peppers — 2 — finely chopped
Frozen corn — 1 cup — none
Frozen peas — 1 cup — none
Greek yogurt — 2 cups — unflavored
Lemon — 1 — juiced
Turmeric powder — 1/2 tsp — none
Curry leaves — Handful — roughly torn
Coconut oil — 2 Tbsp — none
Salt — to taste — none

Preparation

Step 1 — 💦🌾🥘

Rinse the quinoa under running water, drain, and cook according to package directions, set aside.
Step 2 — 🥣🌿🍋

In a bowl, mix together yogurt, chives, and lemon juice. Season with a little salt, cover and refrigerate.
Step 3 — 🍳🔥🌱

In a large pan, heat oil over medium heat, add mustard and cumin seeds and let them splutter.
Step 4 — 🧅🍃🥄

Add onions and sauté until translucent. Then, add curry leaves and turmeric, and stir for a few seconds.
Step 5 — 🫑🌽🍵

Add bell peppers, corn, peas, and cook until tender.
Step 6 — 🌾🧂🥄

Finally, add cooked quinoa and salt, mix everything well.
Step 7 — 🌿🥣🍽️

Serve warm, topped with a generous dollop of chive raita.

A final fox tip

This recipe celebrates the bold spices of Indian cooking with the comforting flavors of the season. You can also add a handful of roasted nuts for added crunch, or feel free to customize with your favorite vegetables. Children can help wash and drain the quinoa, and also assist in preparing the raita.