All About Quinoa
I’ve been hooked on quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) lately. I was a little late to the game, as apparently most vegans know and love the nutrient-rich grain. After mentioning a dinner that I made recently that included quinoa I’ve had requests to share more about what it is and how to eat it.
Here are a few quick facts:
* It is a species of goosefoot.
* Although it is similiar to cereals and grains, it is not technically a grass plant.
* The most common part to harvest is the seeds. The leaves can be cooked like other leafy greens, but are more rare.
* It was a sacred plant in the ancient Inca civilization; they referred to it as the “mother of all grains.” Many countries forgot about quinoa for awhile, but it was reintroduced about 20 years ago and has since been steadily increasing in popularity - especially among vegetarians and vegan.
* It is kosher, so long as it is prepared properly.
* The nutritional value is phenomenal: It is high in protein, fiber, iron, and more. It is gluten free. It contains a balanced set of essential amino acids.
You can add quinoa into your diet easily, incorporating it into meals where in place of couscous or rice: it’s texture and cooking process are similar to these. Prepare extra, because it also makes a great cold salad addition.
Some grocery stores are starting to carry quinoa. I was able to find it at Super Fresh, but not Acme. If your local store doesn’t carry it, try online vegan stores.
Once you are comfortable with it as a staple, check out the Northern Quinoa Corporation to learn more about incorporating into breakfast, baking, and desserts.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:54 pm
[...] I sliced broccoli into long, skinny pieces and tossed them into a hot frying pan with sliced baby portobellos and some oil. With a lid on that so the broccoli can steam, I cut up some tempeh and green pepper. With some soy sauce, I added the tempeh and peppers to cook for a few more minutes. I served it all atop of some quinoa. [...]
October 17th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Not only is Quinoa easy to include in your meat free diet - it also is a rich source of vitamins and nutrients. A true superfood