A warm pile of soft pumpkin quinoa sprinkled with freshly chopped herbs, beautiful pops of green peas and red shredded beetroot all over, subtly shining under the glossy coating of zesty lime-coconut sauce. A generous sprinkle of black sesame seeds tops everything with an elegant contrast.

Winter Pumpkin Quinoa with Lime-Coconut Sauce

Name: Winter Pumpkin Quinoa with Lime-Coconut Sauce
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: pumpkin, 1 pound peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes; red quinoa, 1 cup rinsed and drained; vegetable broth, 2 cups None; green peas, 1/2 cup thawed if frozen; shredded beetroot, 1/2 cup for garnish; coconut milk, 1 cup None; lime zest, 1 teaspoon None; lime juice, 2 tablespoons None; garlic clove, 1 minced; fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup chopped; black sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon for garnish; olive oil, 1 tablespoon None; salt, 1 teaspoon None; black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon None

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 25 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Vegan

Daily Recipe: December 15, 2025

This unique fusion dish combines hearty winter vegetables with Asian spices and sweet citrus notes. The star ingredient in this recipe is the humble pumpkin, which brings not only rich colour and texture but also multiple health benefits. Paired with quick-cooking quinoa and zesty lime-coconut sauce, this dish is sure to satisfy your taste buds without weighing you down.

Ingredients (for 2)

Pumpkin - 1 pound - peeled and chopped into 1-inch cubes
Red quinoa - 1 cup - rinsed and drained
Vegetable broth - 2 cups
Green peas - 1/2 cup - thawed if frozen
Shredded beetroot - 1/2 cup - for garnish
Coconut milk - 1 cup
Lime zest - 1 teaspoon
Lime juice - 2 tablespoons
Garlic clove - 1 - minced
Fresh cilantro - 1/4 cup - chopped
Black sesame seeds - 1 tablespoon - for garnish
Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
Salt - 1 teaspoon
Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon

Preparation

Step 1 - 🥘🔥🎃

In a pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the pumpkin and cook for 10 minutes until soft.
Step 2 - 🍚🧄🔄

Add the minced garlic and red quinoa to the pot. Stir well for about a minute to toast the quinoa.
Step 3 - 🍲🧂🔥

Pour in the vegetable broth to the pot. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.
Step 4 - 🕰️🍲🔥

Let the mixture simmer for 15 minutes until the quinoa is cooked.
Step 5 - 🥣🍈🟢

Stir in the green peas, lime zest, and lime juice into the quinoa mixture.
Step 6 - 🥥🥛🧂

In a separate bowl, whisk together the coconut milk and lime juice. Season the sauce with salt to taste.
Step 7 - 🥣🥗🍽️

Divide the quinoa mixture between two plates. Drizzle with the lime-coconut sauce, then garnish with shredded beetroot, black sesame seeds, and fresh cilantro.

Additional

This dish is packed with fiber, protein, and good fats! The pumpkin can be replaced by butternut squash or sweet potatoes for a different flavor. Youngsters can help by washing the vegetables, husking peas or mixing the sauce.