How To Cook Quinoa-Quinoa Nutrition

Super Food Quinoa A Nutritionally Complete Grain

The grain, quinoa, is a nutritionally complete protein. It is a grain that has all of the essential amino acids that are usually only contained in animal proteins. A healthy diet must include all the essential amino acids. An essential amino acid is one which our body can not manufacture.  Many amino acids may be manufactured in our bodies when we eat an animal protein based diet.  If you are a vegetarian then it is esssential to good health that you are able to consume all the amino acids in a nutritionally sound diet by eating whole grans. Few people think of whole grain as being anything but wheat. A nutritional healthy whole grain diet is more than just whole wheat. The old world grain and super food, quinoa, was believed by the South American Indians to give them super human powers.

Quinoa Recipe-Cooking Quinoa

Quinoa With Fruit and Nuts

Cooking quinoa is as easy as cooking rice.  This simple recipe will make it easy to get started on a new taste in grains that has an old world nutty flavor.  You can use any kind of dried fruits or nuts that you have in your cupboards.

1 cup quinoa
1/2 cup walnuts (or any nut)
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
2 Tbs. olive oil
½ cup chopped dry dates (or any dried fruit)
1 bunch green onions sliced end to end
½ red pepper-diced

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
2. Stir in quinoa, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Dump into large bowl and fluff with a fork periodically until cool.
4. Toast nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown.
5. Add all ingredients to fluffed quinoa, toss and serve warm or chilled.

Quinoa = Nutritional Protein Source

When this recipe is used for 4 servings, each serving has the protein content of 10 grams. Vegetarians or vegans should include quinoa and other grains that are complete proteins in their diet to ensure that they are getting all their essential amino acid needs. Not only is quinoa a terrific source of protein, it also is cholesterol-free, unlike the animal protein counterparts, and is rich in immune-boosting properties. Quinoa is therefore frequently classified as one of the super foods.

Quinoa Salad Recipes

This recipe is great served cold as a salad. Just add a dash of cider vinegar to the above recipe and serve it cold.  Feel free to be creative and substitute other nuts, fruits, herbs or spices for a variety of flavors. There are other quinoa recipes on the site so check the recipe category at the right or click the related links below for more recipes.

Super Food, Yogurt Has Many Health Benefits

Healthy Benefits Of Yogurt Greater Than Milk

Yogurt has nutritional benefits greater than milk. Consistent consumption of yogurt will bring you a variety of health benefits. It is particularly helpful for many intestinal conditions due to the “good bacteria” or probotics that it contains. All yogurts made with live cultures include probotics.  Studies have also shown that the consumption of low fat yogurt can promote weight loss, increase your immune system and bring many health benefits. Many people who have moderate lactose intolerance can usually enjoy yogurt with no side effects. Due to the many healthy benefits that yogurt provides, it is frequently considered one of the top Super Foods.

Easy To Add Super Food, Yogurt In Daily Diet

• You can use yogurt instead of mayonnaise in potato salad, chicken salad or with tuna.
• It tastes great as a topping for baked potatoes or with tacos instead of sour cream.
• Any creamy salad dressing can be made with yogurt as opposed to sour cream, real cream or mayonnaise.

Healthy Benefits Choices

Don’t be afraid to experiment. Be creative. Anytime you can make a better choice you are improving your health. Small choices like putting yogurt on your sandwich or baked potato add up and contribute to your lifelong good health. Next time you pick up the mayonnaise jar, try a little yogurt instead. You can substitute yogurt entirely or try a blend.  Living a healthy life and experiencing the benefits of lifelong good health is a choice that you make every day.  Every diet choice is effecting your health.

International Recipe Contest Winner

This recipe was submitted by Ms. Claire Rogers from Trinidad & Tobago. Claire has always loved cooking. She has been cooking since she was 9 years old. She says:

“I still have my first recipe (Nestle) recipe book. Even back then I knew how as a child to improvise and do ingredient substituting. My mother had every confidence in me and allowed me to have full expression. Reading and understanding recipes was a natural for me.

I have been doing catering on a part-time basis. I have won at least three trophies and first prize monies in candy contests. I have been a judge at cooking contests. I live for attending food fairs and any event where food is served, so that I have every opportunity to observe. I have had hopes to become a personal chef one day. Whenever you talk about an event, I always think about the food side of it, which people initially overlook. My question is: will there be food? (not that I love my belly, but that’s just automatic.)

I am the family chef. I have been preparing special Christmas foods over the years when people place orders to have specialty foods prepared. I have catered for large events and special occasions. I love to give food gifts — bread baskets, candy, you name it – food-wise. I am presently compiling my recipes for launching at least three cookbooks. I enjoy researching food and food products. I welcome an opportunity to travel to international food fairs. (Maybe in the future you will offer this as a prize?) I like exploring food packaging materials. I think I am an ‘all-rounder’ – no weak areas in the cooking (believe it or not). I seem to particularly like salads (and of course desserts).”

International Recipe Winner

Claire works for Triple Delight Services in Trinidad & Tobago. Claire you are the international recipe contest winner for this week! Thank you Claire. It is definitely fun, fast and healthy. Pumpkin is one of the super foods and it is always good to include a super food into dessert. You can make pumpkin juice with a juicer.

Spicy Peanut-Pumpkin Pudding

(Serves 4)

1 cup evaporated milk
¼ cup light brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
¼ tsp. salt
1 c. pure pumpkin juice
1/3 c. cornstarch
1/3 cup crunchy peanut butter

1.    In a 1 qt. saucepan, combine milk, sugar, vanilla and salt.
2.    Bring to a boil.
3.    Combine pumpkin juice, cornstarch.
4.    Reduce heat to low temperature and with a wooden spoon, pour in the last mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
5.    Turn off heat and stir in the peanut butter.
6.    Allow mixture to cool somewhat, and pour into a dessert mold.
7.    Cover with plastic wrap and chill until set.
8.    Invert the mold onto the center of a plate, loosening the sides slightly with the little finger.
9.    Decorate with fruits, and whipped cream.

Enter The Worldwide Recipe Contest

We are looking for recipes from around the world. Do you have a favorite recipe that you would like to submit to our ongoing recipe contest? The criteria for a recipe is that it has to be fun, fast and healthy. Claire’s fits that bill all the way around. Send in your recipe with a brief description of yourself and a picture if you have one. Deb@debbixler.com

Related Links
Recipe Carnival
International Contest Winner