Quinoa (keen-wa)

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a grain that comes from the Andes  Mountains of South America. It contains more protein than any other grain.  Quinoa’s protein is  of an unusually high quality. It is a complete protein, with an essential amino acid balance close to the ideal … similar to milk.  Quinoa is light, tasty, and  easy to digest. It is not sticky or heavy like most other grains, and  it has a delicious flavor all its own. Quinoa can be substituted for almost any grain in almost any recipe. It looks and tastes great on its own, or in any dish from soup to salad. There are also quinoa noodles that can be substituted for traditional pasta in your favorite pasta dishes.  Quinoa is now available in most grocery stores, but can be bought in bulk at Earth Fare or Deep Roots Market for a much more favorable price.

The basic method of cooking is similar to rice.  2:1 Ratio Water:Quinoa.  For instance 2 cups of water and 1 cup of quinoa.  Bring to a boil an lower the heat to a simmer.  Cover the pot and let cook until the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.  For additional flavor, substitute your favorite broth or stock for water, or simply add your favorite spices to the water before cooking the quinoa.

My favorite way to eat quinoa is to mix it with sauteed onions and black beans.  I eat this combination alone or wraped in a whole grain (spelt or wheat) tortillia seasoned with tahini and/or hot sauce.