Wednesday, January 8, 2014

5 Things to Do with Quinoa (1)



So it's not exactly new on the health scene anymore, nonetheless I will probably never stop blogging about my favorite pseudo grain, really seed, quinoa. Pronounced KEEN-WAH, is a lovely versatile "complete" plant protein, used widely in Peruvian cooking, that passes the test! It's full of fiber, protein, minerals, tastes good, is gluten free, has a pleasant texture, is easy to digest, simple to cook, and is becoming easier and easier to find in your local markets. I buy mine at Costco.

So what I've heard so many people say about many health foods or new things to them is they will run out and buy whatever it is, but then they let it sit there because they have no idea what to do with it. This post and the following four will hopefully alleviate that problem with quinoa.

Cooking
Rinse your quinoa before cooking if it has not be pre-rinsed. Read about why here. I always cook two cups at a time. Use 11/2-2 cups of water per cup of quinoa. So if you cook 2 cups use 3 1/2-4 cups of water. To cook: put the water and quinoa in a pot together uncovered. Bring to a boil, turn down to low heat, and put a lid on it. Sir it some. When the quinoa looks soft and you can see little circles that seem to have separated from the seed, it's ready! Cook time is about 10-12 minutes.


Once you've cooked your quinoa you are in business to use it however you'd like! I'll be giving you a new recipe in each blog post! I'll place a reminder of how to cook it each time as well. Try this recipe below!

Sweet Potato Quinoa Porridge
This is an excellent breakfast, but can be eaten anytime!
Ingredients:

1 Cup Quinoa, cooked
1 Cup Sweet Potato Purée or Mash
Pinch Celtic Sea Salt
1/2 Cup Whole Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk
1-2 Tbsp Organic Maple Syrup or Raw Honey
Crushed and Whole Raw Pecans or Walnuts (as much as desired)
1/2 Tsp Organic Ground Ceylon Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Organic Ground Ginger
1 Tsp Ground Flaxseed
1 Tbsp Organic Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

Directions:

Put the first 4 ingredients in a pot and warm on low to medium while stirring until as warm as you'd like it. Mix everything else with warmed mixture in a bowl. Thoroughly enjoy! Double or triple as needed. Feel free to mix other things in there like chia seeds or maca powder.


Tell me if you try this recipe! Be healthy, be blessed, be a good steward! 

2 comments:

  1. Quinoa is awesome! I like mine Italian-style with tomato, basil, garlic, and olive oil. Yum!

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  2. HI Cathy! I love to eat it that way too! I'll be featuring an Italian recipe next post :)

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