Steamed Poussins and Fruity Quinoa
Steamed poussins with fruity quinoa is an elegant main course where tender whole birds steam gently in the Varoma while fluffy quinoa cooks beneath, infused with dried apricots, prunes and raisins. The Thermomix TM7 chops parsley and dried fruit in seconds and delivers juicy, evenly steamed poultry every time.
About this recipe
Steamed Poussins and Fruity Quinoa Thermomix TM7 recipes bring a touch of fine dining straight to your kitchen with this all-in-one kitchen machine. Two small poussins steam to fork-tender perfection in the Varoma while the quinoa below absorbs the aromatic juices, creating a naturally gluten-free main course that feels festive yet needs almost no hands-on work. The sweet-savoury character comes from dried apricots, prunes and raisins chopped together with fresh flat leaf parsley, then tossed with toasted pine nuts, olive oil and a splash of lemon juice for brightness. It is an ideal choice when you want an elegant weekend dinner or a dinner-party centrepiece, because the TM7 handles the chopping, stirring and gentle steaming while you set the table. Each plate delivers juicy poultry alongside fluffy, jewel-toned grains, proving that healthy and celebratory can happily share one plate.
Preparation tips
- Pat the poussins completely dry and rub them inside and out with olive oil, salt and pepper before placing them in the Varoma; dry skin catches the steam better and the seasoning penetrates the meat as it cooks over the quinoa.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan until golden before stirring them into the fruity quinoa; this releases their oils and adds a warm crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft dried apricots and prunes.
- For a more kid-friendly result, swap the prunes for diced dried apricots only and drizzle a little honey over the finished quinoa; children usually love the sweet grains alongside the mild steamed poussin meat.
Recipe variations
- Make it fully gluten-free and dairy-free as written, or replace the poussins with four small corn-fed chicken thighs for a budget-friendly weeknight version that steams in the same Varoma setup.
- For a festive winter variation, add a cinnamon stick, a strip of orange zest and a handful of pomegranate seeds to the quinoa, giving the fruity base a seasonal aroma that pairs wonderfully with the tender steamed poultry.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Fresh flat leaf parsley is chopped in seconds by the TM7, giving an even confetti texture no knife work could match so quickly. [Multi-Function]
- Steaming the poussins gently in the Varoma keeps the meat remarkably juicy while the quinoa below soaks up all the fragrant cooking juices. [Multi-Function]
- The Thermomix mixes the apricots and prunes into a uniform fruity crumble, ensuring every spoonful of quinoa carries balanced sweetness. [Built-in Scale]
- Weigh the quinoa grains and olive oil directly in the mixing bowl, so precise proportions for this fruity side need no separate kitchen scale. [Precision Control]
- Gentle heating cooks the quinoa grains evenly below the Varoma, producing a fluffy texture without any sticking or scorching. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- olive oil
- lemon juice
- cumin seeds
- sweet paprika
- harissa paste
- fresh flat-leaf parsley
- poussins
- fresh flat-leaf parsley
- dried apricots
- dried prunes