Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Curious about Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is quite the super food. Deservedly so.

It has one of the highest nutrition values of any food. It has more fibre than most other grains. It’s gluten free. It has been known to improve the body’s metabolism. It’s high on iron, minerals and antioxidants. And it’s a weight loss friendly food because it has a low glycemic index (which is linked to lower calorie intake). Its fibre content keeps you full, longer. And it’s high in protein which also keeps you feeling sated for longer.

Now we know it’s good for us… but what the hell do we do with Quinoa.


Quinoa is essentially a grain and cooks like one. It’s tasty and can be easily incorporated into your existing diet. It has a nutty flavour and looks a bit like couscous. 

Here’s a basic guide to cooking Quinoa. I’ve also added some links to some simple and tasty Quinoa recipes at the end J

How to cook Quinoa (basic) 
1.     Wash the Quinoa thoroughly or it will taste bitter when cooked. Rinse the grains till the water runs clear.
2.     Soak in cold water for 5 minutes and rinse again.
3.     Put the Quinoa in a pot and add water. Quinoa works on a 1:2 ratio (1 part Quinoa : 2 parts water)(Substitute water with chicken or vegetable stock for a tasty alternative)
4.     Cook for 15-20 minutes or till water is absorbed.
5.     Leave to rest for 10 minutes.
6.     Fluff with a fork. Season, toss, mix as desired.
7.     Quinoa ready J

Quinoa recipes you might want to try:

Grecian Quinoa Salad








*Recipes courtesy AllRecipes.com and MyRecipes.com







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