Quinoa is the ‘super food‘ of the moment and the latest rage for health food junkies, chefs and everyday SAHM’s everywhere. And why? Because it’s jam packed with good stuff. However, if you are not familiar with Quinoa (and how to even pronounce it), then we’re here to bring you into the loop. Get ready to get cooking with Quinoa!
What is Quinoa?
Most people think Quinoa is a type of grain, but it is actually a seed. It is closely related to the beet and spinach family. Quinoa comes in a number of different varieties, including red, black and white Quinoa. You can also get it in different forms including puffed, rolled or whole. Quinoa is found in the health food section of your grocery store or in health food stores.
How do you pronounce Quinoa?
Keen-wah is how it is formally pronounced! However a lot of people say it how it sounds.
How do you Cook with Quinoa?
Quinoa is cooked very much like rice. One half a cup of Quinoa has only 111 calories, 2 grams of fat, 4 grams of protein and 3 grams of fibre. To cook Quinoa it will take fifteen minutes. The first thing you need to do is rinse the Quinoa to get rid of the coating called saponin that protects the seed. Simply place it in a fine mesh sieve and rinse it with cold water. Most people will boil Quinoa in water. However, you can also toast it with a little olive oil in a pan for a few minutes to give it a little more taste. Furthermore, you may want to substitute some of the water with something a little spicier such as a splash of white wine or stock. Cook the Quinoa using the absorption method for about fifteen minutes. Then, before serving, use a fork to fluff and separate the grains
What are the reputed health benefits of Quinoa?
Quinoa is high in vitamins and minerals, low in fat and has very low GI. Quinoa is high in protein which is always a big plus. It is also high on iron and fibre and gluten free and contains eight essential amino acids. It’s great for diabetics and people trying to lose weight. Furthermore, it also passes the seal of approval if you are gluten free, by choice or because of celiac disease, vegans and vegetarians.
What would I use Quinoa for?
You can use Quinoa for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It can be used in sweet or savoury dishes. The most popular use is during dinner to replace starchy foods like white rice, potatoes and pasta. It is quite similar to cous cous but is considered much better for you. However, like rice and cous cous, Quinoa is quite bland on its own. So if you are using it as a side dish, stir in some veggies and sauce to give it an edge.
You can also eat Quinoa in salads for a healthy lunch option. Quinoa tastes great both cold and hot and there are several excellent recipes online for a delicious Quinoa salad that even your kids will appreciate.
Furthermore, you can also dip into Quinoa for breakfast with puffed Quinoa flakes, which is similar to puffed oats. You can combine Quinoa with fresh fruits, honey, brown sugar and other delicacies to give it a little more taste.
How Much Does Quinoa Cost?
This will depend on how you are buying it and where. At Woolworths you can get a 500 gram bag of white Quinoa for around $7.50. This equates to around $1.50 per 100 grams.
