| If you pride yourself on your knowledge of food, | | | | you can roast the seeds in a dry frying pan until |
| you have probably heard of quinoa. If you | | | | they pop and then cook them. Quinoa has a light |
| haven't, you need to learn about it right away. | | | | fluffy texture with a slight crunch and mild, |
| Not only is quinoa a healthy substitute for grains | | | | somewhat nutty flavor. It can be used in soups, |
| and starches, it is delicious and versatile. It can | | | | casseroles and stews in place of barley or rice. It |
| add flavor and color to all kinds of foods and has | | | | can be served cold in salads. You can even cook |
| great heath benefits as well. | | | | it with fruit juice instead of water for a healthy |
| Although quinoa is relatively new to Western | | | | delicious breakfast food. |
| cooking, it has been a staple food for the | | | | Quinoa is high in protein, and the protein found in |
| indigenous peoples of the Andes Mountains for | | | | the seed is complete. It contains all eight amino |
| thousands of years. It is grown in the elevations | | | | acids and the minerals magnesium, manganese, |
| of the mountains and likes fairly poor quality, | | | | copper, iron and zinc. It is also high in vitamin E |
| slightly alkaline soil. It has some of the properties | | | | and several B vitamins. It is very digestible and |
| of a succulent and needs little water, preferring | | | | has the fiber found in most whole grains. It also |
| arid areas. Sometimes called goose foot due to | | | | contains antioxidants. |
| the shape of its leaves, quinoa is a relative of | | | | If you fancy baking, quinoa is available in a flour |
| spinach, beets and swiss chard. The leaves are | | | | mix. Since the seed is gluten free, it can be used |
| edible, but contain a mild toxin so they shouldn't | | | | by people with celiac disease or those that are |
| be consumed in large quantities. | | | | gluten intolerant. |
| The seed of the plant is the most edible part. The | | | | Quinoa has many varieties, but the most |
| seed is covered in a bitter tasting resin which | | | | commonly sold are the red, black and white |
| must be thoroughly rinsed off before quinoa is | | | | seeds. The flavor varies slightly. You can use the |
| prepared. The resin, called saponin, is used in | | | | variety of your choice to add color to any dish. |
| South America as a detergent and as an | | | | Red quinoa in a salad is especially pretty. |
| antiseptic. Commercially sold quinoa has usually | | | | If you pride yourself on you knowledge and |
| undergone rinsing, but it is still wise to rinse the | | | | enjoyment of food and you haven't tried quinoa, |
| seeds to remove any remaining residue. | | | | what are you waiting for? Quinoa is sold at health |
| You can cook quinoa the same way that you | | | | food stores both local and online and is even |
| cook rice and serve it as an alternative to | | | | carried in some supermarkets. |
| couscous. For extra flavor and softer texture, | | | | |