Quinoa!
- June 06, 2012 |
- by The Family Dinner
By now you already know the grain-like seed quinoa is one of the world’s healthiest foods. It’s a complete protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids, and it’s gluten-free too. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA’s Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration human occupied spaceflights.
Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and its mild, slightly nutty flavor makes it an alternative to pasta, rice or couscous. Here are a few of our favorite recipes using quinoa:
Silky Sweet Potato Miso Soup with Crisp Quinoa
Sweet & Savory Brussels Sprouts with Quinoa
And here are some more ideas for other things to do with quinoa:
* Put warm quinoa in a breakfast bowl with toasted walnuts, grated apples, a drizzle of maple syrup, and milk.
* Toss cold cooked quinoa in a salad to add extra crunch and protein.
* Spanish-flavored quinoa: Sauté some onions and garlic; add 1⁄2 cup salsa and a pinch of cumin. Add 1 cup quinoa and 1 1/2 cups water, and simmer for 15 minutes.
* Instead of a “pasta bar” (page 65 of The Family Dinner book), have a “quinoa bar” with sauces and toppings to drizzle and dollop.
* Make a quinoa “tabbouleh” with chopped kale, parsley, mint, and quinoa tossed with plenty of lemon juice, salt, and a drizzle of olive oil. Add feta and cucumbers to make it even better.
* Put a few tablespoons of quinoa into your soups to add some body and protein.
And for the record, “quinoa” is pronounced “KEEN-wah.” But no matter how you pronounce it, make sure to include this super-food in your family’s diet.
