Quest for Quinoa

This can also be credited to five-star hotels and high-end restaurants,which have recipes that incorporate quinoa. At Vinoteca by Sula,Worli,the quinoa salad topped with cherry tomatoes and figs is recommended with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The kitchens of Courtyard by Marriott,Andheri,crust chicken fingers with quinoa instead of breadcrumbs and put it in salads on special request. At The Yoga House in Bandra,Millet Quinoa Burger with Hummus is one of the hottest-selling items; actors John Abraham and Arshad Warsi are known to call for it when shooting in the vicinity. Even Woodside Inn,where patrons are known to revel in burgers,bar snacks and batter-fried foods,the oven-roasted chicken with herbed quinoa — served as a weekly special — does reasonably well.

It’s also interesting to note that the grain,despite its high price,is priced reasonably well when served at restaurants: The Yoga House charges Rs 240 for the burger while Woodside Inn charges Rs 340 for the chicken. As chicken is served only once in a week,the price doesn’t make much of a difference to the cost of the dish. But at The Yoga House,which also has a quinoa taboule — a bhel-like salad with tomatoes and onions — the quantity used at this cost of the grain does pinch. “We justify this cost by keeping costs on other items — fruit and vegetables — to a minimum,” says owner Ajit Singh Tapaswi,adding,“We save by buying from wholesalers in Dadar market.”

At Vinoteca by Sula,Chef Silvia Grimaldo is happy with the response to the salad with walnuts and feta. But she is not adding more quinoa dishes to the menu anytime soon. “It is extremely popular among the vegetarians and guests looking for a healthy take to the evening,” she says. “Being one of our in-house specialties,we chose to keep it affordable yet attractive for our patrons,” she adds.

As people become more aware of quinoa and how it blends well with different flavours,it isn’t just the preferred choice for those looking to lead a healthier lifestyle. “The trend started with the health conscious actively inquiring about quinoa. Now,others who enjoy the taste and look for variety are seeking it out too,” says Mohan.