Every magazine, cookbook, food show or health blog seems to be promoting foods to “superfood” status. Apparently it’s all about kale, chia seeds, coconut products and Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) By now you probably know I am not a lover of the “superfoods” label. I think all foods can be super, and that Quinoa can be super tasty. If you haven’t tried it yet, do yourself a favour, buy some and try it this week.
Before we get into the recipes here’s the low down on this tiny seed – yep it’s not really a grain and boy does it pack a nutritious punch.
Quinoa
- is gluten free
- is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids, this is very rarely found in plants.
- is full of fibre so can help relieve constipation, prevent heart disease and diabetes, lower cholesterol and increase the feeling of fullness.
- is rich in magnesium, a mineral people are often low in.
- is high in B vitamins so great for energy metabolism, tissue growth and repair.
- contains a number of anti-oxidants, which help protect cells from damage by free radicals and reduce the effects of aging.
- is an interesting nutty seed with a multitude of uses
Are you impressed yet? Give it a go, here are a few ideas to get you started
Combine cooked chilled quinoa with cannellini beans, pumpkin seeds, spring onions and coriander and dress with olive oil and lemon juice.
Eat for breakfast by mixing cooked quinoa with your milk of choice and heating until warmed though, sprinkle with cinnamon, add a spoonful of honey and some stewed fruit – delicious.
Add quinoa to your favorite vegetable soups about 20 minutes before the end of cooking or use in place of rice.
Quinoa flour and quinoa flakes can be added to biscuit or muffin recipes.
This chocolate cake is quick and easy to make, gluten free and really moist.
Quinoa is great to use in tabouli, as a delicious substitute for the bulgur wheat usely found in this delicious Middle Eastern dish.
Roast vegetable and quinoa salad
I hope you give this amazing pseudo grain a go, let me know by leaving a comment if you do.
This post was very compelling. 🙂