It is called quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), and is a grain that comes from the Andes Mountains of South America. Quinoa's origins are truly ancient. It was one of the three staple foods, along with corn and potatoes, of the Inca civilization. Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain; an average of 16.2 percent, compared with 7.5 percent for rice, 9.9 percent for millet, and 14 percent for wheat. Some varieties of quinoa are more than 20 percent protein.
Easy on the Stomach
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.
Here are a few recipes:
The Basic Quinoa Recipe
This light and wholesome grain may be prepared quickly and easily with this basic method. 2 cups water 1 cup quinoa
Place quinoa and water in a 1-½ quart saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all the water is absorbed (about 15 minutes).
You will know that the quinoa is done when all the grains have turned from white to transparent, and the spiral-like germ has separated. Makes 3 cups.
QUINOA PILAF
1/2 cup carrot, diced 6 cups quinoa, cooked (basic recipe)
1/2 cup green onion, diced 1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup celery, diced 2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/4 cup green pepper, diced 1 cup almonds, sliced
1/4 cup sweet red pepper, diced 1/4 tsp oregano
salt to taste
Sauté chopped vegetables in olive oil until clear, yet crisp: stir in oregano. Add sautéed vegetables to cooked, hot quinoa, mixing well. Add salt to taste. Dry-roast almonds in heavy skillet until lightly golden. Add almonds and mix. Serves 6-8. Quinoa pilaf served as a side dish with fish or chicken is delicious. Vary the pilaf using your favorite vegetables, or by cooking the quinoa in chicken, fish or vegetable stock instead of water.
LASAGNEQUINOA
1 can peeled tomatoes or
4 roma tomatoes, chopped
1 lb hamburger or veggie burger
2-8 oz cans tomato sauce
3 cups quinoa, cooked
1/4 lb mozzarella cheese, crumbled
1/4 lb parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
2 tsp oregano
1 cup onion, minced
1/2 lb ricotta cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until browned. Add hamburger, cook until browned. Add tomato sauce, tomatoes, salt and oregano. Simmer. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put layer of this sauce in bottom of 13x9x2-1/2" baking dish, following with layer of quinoa and layer of cheese. Repeat two more layers ending with sauce an extra Parmesan cheese on top. Bake about 35 minutes. Serves 6-8.
Marsala Braised Quinoa with Crimini Mushrooms In Roasted Tomato
(4 servings) This recipe is on the back of our Inca Red Box
1 cup Red Quinoa 1/4 cup Marsala Wine
2 cups Water 2 Tbsp. Tamari
Pinch Sea Salt 1/2 lb. Crimini Mushroom Caps, minced
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil 1/2 tsp. Whole Fennel Seed, crushed
2 Shallots, minced 1/4 cup fresh Cilantro or Basil for garnish
1 tsp. dried Basil 4 roasted Tomatoes
Cook red quinoa in 2 cups Water for about 15 minutes until water is absorbed. Warm a heavy bottomed skillet. Add olive oil and minced shallots together, in that order. Cook slowly until shallots are clear, soft, and beginning to brown. Add mushrooms, toss well, and then spread out over the pan stirring occasionally always returning them to cover the metal surface of the pan. Cook until mushrooms are deep brown. Add cooked quinoa, mix well. When grain is thoroughly heated and may be sticking slightly to the pan, add Marsala, stir, add tamari, stir. Cover for a few minutes. Toss a generous amount of minced fresh herbs into the grain. Then use to fill roasted tomatoes.
(Roasting a tomato: Use a small sharp knife to cut into the center and scoop out some of the inside of the tomato. Put some olive oil in the palm of your hand; lightly coat the tomato with oil. Coat with a small amount of sea salt. Bake at 450° F. until the skin is slightly soft.)
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