The Incas believed quinoa to be sacred, its nutritional content surpasses all other grains and it is available in a pleasing rainbow of colors. Why isn’t quinoa more mainstream?
I often get on flirtatious kicks with various whole grains. It usually starts when I decide that I should incorporate more whole grains into my diet, I peruse the bulk bins at Whole Foods and come home with clear, twist-tied bags guaranteed to add interest and fiber to my cuisine. Familiarity first led me to a continued friendship with cous cous. A boring breakfast routine ignited interest in steel cut oats. A friend’s repeated recommendation convinced me to play with wheat berries, Most recently, this new cookbook has me hooked on Quinoa.
After reading the introduction of Quinoa 365, The Everyday Superfood, I really WANTED to love quinoa for all its wondrous properties. Pronounced keen-wah, this superfood contains a perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids, and is a great source of protein. The magical grain is also gluten-free, wheat-free, free of cholesterol and trans fats, contains natural antioxidants, and is a source of vitamin E, calcium, potassium, iron, and magnesium. It is almost hard to believe that with all this good stuff that it tastes any good.
As I do with all cookbooks, I read from cover to cover marking pages of interest. I was drawn immediately by the numerous breakfast options from these pumpkin pancakes to a tropical hot cereal made with coconut milk and pineapple juice. The next chapter features a number of cold salads, perfect for taking to work for lunch or bringing to a potluck picnic. I haven’t yet made it to any of the recipes in the main dish section of the book and I must admit that the desserts aren’t appealing to me. I am more of a traditional cookie and cake kind of gal.
Though I haven’t found the dark colored quinoa at my local stores, my cupboard holds a healthy portion of yellow and red quinoa just waiting for me to continue my ventures through this new cookbook. Overall, I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to add a touch of healthy flair to the their diet this year.
I have added a few of my own notes to the this salad recipe from the book:
Quinoa and Chick Pea Salad
2 cups vegetable stock
1 cup dry quinoa
1 19 oz can chick peas
1 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup chopped walnuts
3 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or cilantro)
Bring stock and quinoa to a boil over high heat. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook 10 min. Turn heat off and leave covered for 4 more minutes. If all liquid is absorbed, fluff with a fork. If not, leave cover on a few more minutes. Transfer to large bowl and let the grain cool a bit. Mix in chick peas, red pepper, cranberries, walnuts and parsley. Chill before serving. Stays good in fridge for up to 5 days.
January 4th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Annika Gordon, Lidia Machado. Lidia Machado said: Quinoa and Chick Pea Salad :: Whipped: After reading the introduction of Quinoa 365, The Everyday Superfood, I r… http://bit.ly/dQZ0Ku [...]
January 4th, 2011 at 6:02 pm
I totally need that cookbook :) I LOVE quinoa and your salad looks beautiful!
January 5th, 2011 at 2:27 am
I love quinoa, especially in salads! Hot or cold. Haven’t ventured into baking territory with it yet. Or pancake territory.
January 10th, 2011 at 4:21 pm
[...] Quinoa аnd Chick Pea Salad :: Whipped [...]
January 12th, 2011 at 2:44 am
Absolutely loved this!
January 12th, 2011 at 9:41 am
i love quinoa, too! the first time i made it though, i didn’t, because it was severely overcooked and gooey. second time around – awesome!
January 20th, 2011 at 3:49 am
As I do with all cookbooks, I read from cover to cover marking pages of interest. I was drawn immediately by the numerous breakfast options from these
February 11th, 2011 at 2:35 am
Mix in chick peas, red pepper, cranberries, walnuts and parsley. Chill before serving. Stays good in fridge for up to
February 14th, 2011 at 9:37 am
couple of years ago when my oatmeal cookie attempts werent to the liking of a yacht owner. Excellent photo.
February 22nd, 2011 at 8:49 am
Some may say that’s bad but you just gotta know when you’re around, when you’re in public you’re in public. . . . It’s good, I think it’s
June 16th, 2011 at 3:22 am
I was on one side of the issue, and my friends were on the other.
July 8th, 2011 at 9:21 am
yes your site is really wonderful people have been searching for other web sites you’ve found it is getting very relieved to sweat, my eyes until my uncle no longer flows out of sleep refreshing towels cursor would follow you.
July 9th, 2011 at 7:48 am
shares in this blog is really nice, actually,
I no longer have to follow the internet world
of blogs to take advantage of this style, I would
like to set up a site, but recently I tried I could
not have a friend View a school he did not know, but
my room will help me more to move forward on cı I’m
jealous already kurmayacağım also ..
August 1st, 2011 at 10:50 am
This is the only address the problem of living in wrapping
August 1st, 2011 at 7:47 pm
relevant to the job in turkey there is a refreshing towel işyerimiz one site dedicated to ourselves that we could not do, but I think I will also not be right if ta yağacayız asp, but let’s look at how your friends do you think?
August 3rd, 2011 at 8:19 am
I would
like to set up a site, but recently I tried I could
October 4th, 2011 at 4:16 am
to move forward on I’m
jealous already kurmayacağım also.
October 12th, 2011 at 2:02 am
I collect my site is pretty great
October 14th, 2011 at 3:59 am
Thank you wonderful comments.
April 21st, 2012 at 3:42 am
t has been a really hard work but I feel proud of it :-) With regard to contents, actually this book is not intended for absolute beginners; instead it is intended for an audience having some experience with the .NET technologt has been a really hard work but I feel proud of it :-) With regard to contents, actually this book is not intended for absolute beginners; instead it is intended for an audience having some experience with the .NET technologt has been a really hard work but I feel proud of it :-) With regard to contents, actually this book is not intended for absolute beginners; instead it is intended for an audience having some experience with the .NET technologt has been a really hard work but I feel proud of it :-) With regard to contents, actually this book is not intended for absolute beginners; instead it is intended for an audience having some experience with the .NET technologt has been a really hard work but I feel proud of it :-) With regard to contents, actually this book is not intended for absolute beginners; instead it is intended for an audience having some experience with the .NET technologt has been a really hard work but I feel proud of it :-) With regard to contents, actually this book is not intended for absolute beginners; instead it is intended for an audience having some experience with the .NET technolog