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Vegetarian, Meal soups and plant based

Fried quinoa with vegetables and a fried egg

Fried quinoa with vegetables and a fried egg is a vegetarian dish for 4, ready in 30 minutes, rated very easy, costing about €1.60 per serving. The key to it is quinoa that's properly fried until slightly crisp, topped with a runny egg yolk that works as the sauce.

Here's a clever way to use up the fridge, fried quinoa with little vegetables and a golden fried egg on top.

Fried quinoa with vegetables and a fried egg
Total time
30 min
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€1.60
Calories per person
590 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

This dish pairs the crunch of sautéed vegetables with the slightly toasted texture of fried quinoa, all topped with a fried egg whose runny yolk coats every bite. Soy sauce brings a bold salty edge, close to fried rice but with quinoa grains that stay firmer between the teeth. Carrots and peas keep their bite, and green onion adds a fresh finish at the end.

It's the kind of recipe you turn to on a weeknight when the fridge is running low and you have some leftover cooked quinoa on hand. Kids like breaking the yolk over their plate, and adults appreciate how fast and cheap it comes together. Mon Chou suggests it for exactly those nights when you need to improvise with whatever you've got.

The ingredients

4 people

Pantry

  • Quinoaoften in the pantry 250 g
  • Soy sauceoften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrot 2
  • Green onion 4
  • Garlic 1 cloves

Frozen foods

  • Frozen peas 200 g

Dairy

  • Egg 4

Allergens Eggs, Soy

The step by step recipe

  1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water, then cook it in twice its volume of water. 12 min

    Rinsing removes the natural bitterness from the grain's coating.

  2. Cut the carrots into small dice and thinly slice the green onions and garlic.

    Cut the dice the size of the peas so everything cooks at the same pace.

  3. Sauté the carrots and garlic in the oil, then add the peas. 6 min

    Keep the heat high and the pan very hot, the vegetables should stay a bit crisp.

  4. Add the quinoa, soy sauce, and pepper, then stir fry over high heat. 4 min

    Press the quinoa against the pan for a moment so it turns slightly crispy.

  5. Fry the eggs separately and place one on each plate with the green onions. 5 min

    A runny yolk works as the sauce, so don't overcook it.

Our tips to get it right

  • Use quinoa cooked the day before and cooled, it separates better in the pan and won't turn sticky.
  • Pick a wide skillet or a wok so the grains and vegetables touch the heat directly instead of piling up.
  • Taste before adding salt, soy sauce is already salty and might be all you need.

The variations

  • Swap the peas for small broccoli florets to change up the vegetables depending on the season.
  • Add diced smoked tofu sautéed with the vegetables for a protein boost, while keeping the dish vegetarian.
  • For kids in a hurry, serve the plain quinoa with the fried egg on the side instead of mixed in, and leave the soy sauce optional on the table.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with a sharp dressing
  • A light vegetable broth to start
  • Green tea or lemon water

Storage

This dish keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container, with the egg on top or stored separately. Reheat it in a skillet to bring back some crispness, that works better than the microwave. It doesn't freeze well since the egg and vegetables would lose their texture.

Questions about this dish

Can you use rice instead of quinoa?

Yes, rice cooked the day before and cooled works just as well in place of quinoa. The texture will be closer to classic fried rice, but the recipe stays just as quick.

Do you really need to cook the quinoa the day before?

No, but it's easier, cold quinoa separates better in the pan. If you cook it the same day, let it cool and drain it well before frying.

Can this dish be made ahead for the next day?

You can cook the quinoa and chop the vegetables the day before, then assemble and fry everything right before serving. The fried egg should always be cooked last to keep the yolk runny.

How do you adapt it if your child doesn't like a runny yolk?

Cook their egg a bit longer so the yolk sets firm, or offer scrambled eggs on the side instead. The rest of the dish stays the same.

How long does it take to make a fried quinoa with vegetables and a fried egg?

Count 30 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “very easy”.

How many calories are in a fried quinoa with vegetables and a fried egg?

About 590 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a fried quinoa with vegetables and a fried egg cost?

About €1.60 per serving, or €6.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains eggs, soy. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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