Why You Should Start Eating Quinoa

It might sound weird, but quinoa (keen-wah) isn’t just the newest health food craze. It’s been around for centuries; Pre-Columbian civilizations cultivated it. But, it’s history isn’t the reason that in the past few years quinoa has gone from a food only found in health food stores to being found on most grocery store shelves. Quinoa is a grain that has a lot going for it. In one cup of quinoa, there’s eight grams of protein and five grams of fiber. Of all the whole grains, quinoa has the highest protein content. It’s the perfect protein source for vegetarians and vegans because it provides all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. It’s also gluten-free and cholesterol-free as well as kosher. Seriously, you have to try it! Just switch out your rice, oatmeal, or pasta for quinoa and reap to all those nutritional benefits!

How To Cook Quinoa

1. Before you cook quinoa, you should also rinse it off. Quinoa has a naturally occurring outer coating that tastes bitter. Modern processing removes most of this coating, but washing it rinses off the rest. Place the quinoa is a fine-meshed strainer and run cold water over it while rubbing the seeds together with your hands.

2. You’ll need to put two cups of water for every cup of quinoa you want to cook. Add both a pot and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to a simmer and cover for 15 minutes until the quinoa is soft. When it’s done, you’ll notice that the grains have become translucent and the white germ has become detached; the germ will look like a white-spiraled tail.

3. If you want the quinoa to have a more nutty flavor, dry roast it before cooking. To do this, place it in a skillet over medium-low heat and stir constantly for five minutes.

4. For more flavor,  substitute vegetable or chicken broth for water. You can also add vegetables or herbs like cooked onions or garlic to the water for more variety!

Easy Ways To Add Quinoa To Your Diet

• Use quinoa instead of pasta in cold salads

  

• Add nuts and fruits to cooked quinoa and serve as breakfast porridge.
• For a twist on your favorite pasta recipe, use noodles made from quinoa.
• Sprouted quinoa can be used in salads and sandwiches just like alfalfa sprouts.
• Add quinoa to your favorite vegetable soups.
• Ground quinoa flour can be added to cookie or muffin recipes.
• Quinoa is great to use in tabouli, serving as a delicious (and wheat-free) substitute for the bulgar wheat with which this Middle Eastern dish is usually made.

Great Quinoa Recipes

Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Quinoa Veggie Burger With Roasted Peppers
Quinoa And M&M Cookies
Quinoa Mac and Cheese
Quinoa Cakes
Sweet Breakfast Quinoa
Garlic Quinoa with Parmesan Cheese
Quinoa Salad with Pecans and Fresh Herbs
Green Thai Quinoa Curry
Zucchini With Quinoa Stuffing
Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa
Hot Pumpkin Breakfast Quinoa