Quinoa - A Superfood We Need To Eat More!

Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah), a new food that has found its way into our local grocery shelves. It is a nutritional powerhouse with ancient origins. It was originally cultivated by the Incas more than 5,000 years ago; referred to it as the ‘mother of all grains.” It contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a great source of protein for vegetarians. Quinoa is also high in magnesium, fibre, calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, manganese, riboflavin and zinc.

While quinoa is widely considered as a grain, it’s actually the seed of a plant called Chenopodium or Goosefoot, related to the chard and spinach. Quinoa is a gluten-free grain and has similar effect as other whole grains in helping to stabilise blood sugar.

It has a waxy protective coating called saponin which can leave a bitter taste. For best results, rinse quinoa before you cook or even soak it for a few hours or overnight. When cooked, it has a fluffy, slightly crunchy texture. Try it in soups, salads, as breakfast porridge or as its own side dish. For quinoa, and whole grains in general, the majority of digestion occurs in the mouth through chewing and exposure to saliva. For optional nutrition and assimilation, its vital to chew your grains well and with awareness. A great meditation is to find a calm place, without distractions, to sit down to your meal. Make it a habit to chew your bite 20 times and more. See how simple practice can help your digestion and overall focus for the rest of your day.

Recipe :Quinoa Pilaf Prep time: 3 minutes Cooking time: 30-40 minutes Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa 21/4 cups water or stock 1.2 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup walnut pieces 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Rinse quinoa in fine mesh strainer until water runs clear.

2. Boil water and add quinoa and salt cover and reduce heat.

3. After 15 minutes add cranberries and walnuts to top; do not stir.

4. Cook 5 minutes more, until all the liquid is absorbed.

5. Remove from heat, add parsley and fluff with fork, cover and let sit for 3-5 minutes and serve.