Whether you've had Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) before or if it's your first time eating it, you're going to LOVE this recipe. There are many health benefits with incorporating Quinoa as part of a healthy diet.
Quinoa is a whole grain that's packed with protein. Just one cup of quinoa has just over 8 grams of protein and 9 of the essential amino acids your body needs. Quinoa is also high in fiber, with just over 5 grams for 1 cup.
Quinoa is naturally gluten free and a good source of antioxidants such as quercitin and kampferol. It also contains lots of vitamins and minerals including maganese, magnesium, folate, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, potassium, vitamin B-6, and riboflavin.
When quinoa is grown it's typically not sprayed with pesticides as it has a bitter taste and insects stay away. During the manufacturing process the quinoa is rinsed to remove saponins. You'll want to give quinoa an extra rinse before cooking to ensure the bitter tasting saponins are completely gone.
Quinoa takes just 15 minutes to cook and tastes good cold, which makes it a very convenient grain to have handy. Below is my favorite recipe for quinoa, giving it a crunchy sweet and citrusy flavor with some great herbs thrown in.
This recipe is delicious paired with hummus, eggplant ratatouille or organic boiled eggs.
Try it and let me know what you think!
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked quinoa
¼ cup almonds, chopped
½ cup carrots, diced
¼ cup mint, chopped
¼ cup scallions, sliced
¼ cup parsley, chopped
¼ cup lime juice
½ tsp cumin
¼ cup currants (optional)
1tsp sea salt
2 TBLS extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
Put all of the ingredients into a bowl and mix well to combine.
Let the quinoa tabbouleh stand for at least 30 minutes… it's even better the next day!
Maria
xoxo
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