Quinoa - Super-Food

Pronounced Keen-wah, it's said to be the closest thing to a super-food. It’s got everything from fatty essential acids, protein [as much as milk], complex carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals. Nothing comes close to quinoa.

Quinoa is highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%). Unlike wheat or rice, quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source among plant foods. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.

Quinoa is the seed from a broadleaf plant, so that makes it a fruit... you eat the seed. However, it acts and looks like a grain.... it can be ground to a flour and used in baking.

How to Cook Quinoa

Prepare in a rice cooker, simply treat quinoa like rice. Add two parts water to one part quinoa, stir, cover and when the cooker shuts off, the quinoa is done. Unlike rice, you can stir quinoa a few times while cooking to prevent burning in the bottom of the pan.

Microwave Instructions: 1 cup Quinoa, 2 cups water in a 2 quart microwave bowl. Cook on high 100% for 5 minutes and 60% for 8 minutes. Let stand for a few minutes and voila, perfect Quinoa.

For an energy saving method, combine 1-cup water to each ½ cup of quinoa in a pan. Bring to a full boil for 5 minutes, and then set aside, covered for 15 minutes.  

For additional flavor, substitute chicken broth or vegetable stock for the water in any of the methods listed above.

Click here for a set of recipes using Quinoa: Quinoa Recipes

Where to Find Quinoa

Quinoa has gone mainstream lately and can be found in most large grocery stores, bulk food stores and health stores. If you don't see it, ask for it. You can also order Quinoa online.