Whatcha' Cookin' Wednesday - "Quinoa" (it's a 2-fer!)

I'm forever changed.

I finally discovered Quinoa.

I've often seen it in the store and wondered what the fuss was all about. I always thought it was pronounced "KIN-oh-ah." (Wrong. It's "KEEN-wah.") One of my fave people, who is also a vegetarian and food writer, has written about it and still I resisted. Not sure why.

So, the other day we were at Whole Foods getting oats out of the bulk bin and there was the Quinoa. I decided to buy a pound and give it a whirl.

It's AMAZING.

Just like tofu, Quinoa takes on the flavor of whatever you add to it. It's a grain that you cook like rice. It's easy to cook, yummy and so GOOD for you.

Check it out:
Its protein content is very high (12%-18%), making it a healthful choice for vegetarians and vegans -and kids that won't eat meat. Unlike wheat or rice (which are low inlysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans,making it an unusually complete protein source. It is a good source ofdietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest.

You can make plain quinoa or add lots of yummy stuff - whatever is in your pantry. Endless combos... My twins scarf it up! It's great kid eats since you can add whatever food(s) that is striking their fancy this week. Add raisins! Or nuts! Cheese! Seriously, the possibilites are infinite.

Listed below is the basic recipe for cooking Quinoa and also one of our faves: Quinoa with sun-dried tomatoes, black beans, chicken and garlic.

Buy some. Today. And eat lots of it. Your body will thank you.




QUINOA
(Basic cooking instructions to yield approx. 3 cups of Quinoa)



1 ½ c. of Qunoa
2 c. water
Salt to taste

Rinse quinoa with cold water. Use a fine mesh filter/colander or coffee filter.
(Quinoa is coated with a natural substance called saponin that protects the grain by repelling insects and birds. Rinsing the quinoa is important to avoid a raw or bitter taste. You can tell if there is saponin by the production of a soapy looking "suds" when the seeds are swished in water. If you are using Ancient Harvest Quinoa you can skip this step. It's already rinsed!)

Add quinoa to water and bring to boil. (A fine, white spiral appears around the grain as it cooks.)

Reduce to simmer and cook until fluffy, about 15 minutes.

and....

Quinoa with sun-dried tomatoes, black beans, chicken and garlic

1 c. of cooked Quinoa
1 Tblsp. olive oil
½ c. diced sun-dried tomatoes (use the kind that come packed in oil, NOT dried)
½- 1 c. diced chicken (optional)
1 c. of black beans
2-3 cloves of garlic (or more!)
½ t. cumin
Salt to taste

Sautee chicken and garlic in olive until cooked, about 5 minutes. Add sun-dried tomatoes and beans. Stir well. Add quinoa, cumin and salt. Stir until heated through.