Lunch: Spiced Lemon Quinoa Recipe | MyRecipes

Recipe by Kavita Aiyar, Mountain View, CA Back home in South India, Sunset reader Kavita Aiyar's mom made traditional lemon rice scattered with channa dal (a yellow, lentil-like legume). At her home in Silicon Valley, Kavita cooks quinoa instead of rice

This recipe includes fertility superfoods such as:

Lemon, Spinach

Health and fertility benefits of Spiced Lemon Quinoa Recipe | MyRecipes

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Fresh spinach is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin B6, all of which have significant roles in reducing inflammation in the body, all of which help in the case of infertility.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons yellow split peas
5 teaspoons mild olive oil
1 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
5 fresh curry leaves (optional)*
1 serrano chile, minced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
About 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 qts. (5 oz.) loosely packed baby spinach
1 cup red or white quinoa, cooked as package directs with 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
About 1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

Instructions

Simmer split peas with 2 cups water in a small saucepan until just tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry on a towel.
Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, cover, and cook until they pop, 1 minute. Stir in cumin; cook a few seconds until sizzling, then stir in split peas, curry leaves, chile, turmeric, and 1/2 tsp. salt. Cook, stirring often, until split peas start to turn light golden, 2 minutes. Scrape into a bowl.
Add spinach to frying pan, increase heat to medium-high, and cook, stirring, until wilted, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain any liquid. Stir in quinoa, split-pea mixture, and 1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice. Add more lemon juice and salt to taste. Scatter cilantro on top.
*Find curry leaves at Indian markets.

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