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Quinoa

Everything Old is New Again

Quinoa (keen´-wah) is the “newest” darling of the whole-grain group. South American Indians cultivated it as a food crop long before the Spanish conquistadores arrived.

But quinoa never gained popularity with the Europeans. So, until quite recently, it was largely unknown to the rest of the world.

Quinoa turns out to be the most nutritious whole grain we know of. It has twice the protein of any other grain, fewer carbohydrates and more essential fat. Quinoa’s protein is a complete protein like that found in meat and eggs. Vegetarians take note!

How to Add Quinoa to your Diet

To add quinoa to your diet, you first have to find it.

More and more supermarkets are stocking it. Usually you’ll find it alongside the rice or in the health food aisle.

If your store doesn’t carry it yet, talk to the manager and tip him or her off to this wonder grain. If all else fails, you can mail order Quinoa from Amazon.

You’ll also find a few cookbooks featuring quinoa recipes there.

Use Quinoa like Rice

Quinoa cooks up just like rice, but faster than brown rice. Add quinoa to a pot of boiling water. Lower the heat and cook for about 20 minutes. Strain off the water and serve.

Leftover quinoa prepared this way can be reheated in the microwave in about a minute.

Leftover quinoa can also be used to make quinoa pudding, just as rice is used to make rice pudding.

Quinoa Pudding

• 2 large ripe bananas
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• ½ cup raisins
• 1 T. light brown sugar
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 2 T. Myers dark rum (optional)

Mash the bananas and mix in the milk. Empty the mix into a saucepan. Add the next four ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in the rum.

Pull out any favorite recipes you have that use rice and give them a try with quinoa. I think you’ll enjoy the subtle nutty difference!

Read about more new health benefits attributed to Whole Grains.

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.

 

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