Keen To Quinoa?

Pronounced Keen-wah, this trending super-food is a highly nutritious, gluten-free grain that is both delicious and easy to prepare. However if you haven’t cooked with this ancient grain before, don’t let the fancy Instagram salads intimidate you. The health benefits are far too great to miss out. 

1. Quinoa contains more protein than any other grain on the market making it a welcome ingredient for vegetarians and a good excuse to ditch the red meat a few more times a week for a lighter dinner option. 

2. It contains 8 essential amino acids, essential to muscle repair and growth. 

3. Quinoa is high in fiber and low GI making it highly beneficial for diabetics as it helps keep blood sugar levels stable

4. It is highly nutrient rich, containing a good dose of iron, Vitamin B, calcium, magnesium and Vitamin E.

While it may look fancy, quinoa is relatively easy to make. To prepare a batch, rinse the grains well to wash off the grains bitter coating. Add 1 cup of quinoa to every 2 cups of boiling water. Reduce heat to low and cook covered for 10-15 minutes. The consistency should be tender but slightly crunchy.  Once cooked mix it up with your favourite salad ingredients such as roasted veggies, olive oil, and garlic. It’s the perfect partner to just about everything. 

Photo courtesy of eatthis.com