How To Cook Quinoa Perfectly

Health Benefits, Ancient Grain Quinoa

Quinoa, is an ancient grain that has been cultivated, harvested and eaten as a cereal for thousands of years by South Americans. Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is the seed of a leafy plant that is a distant relative of spinach and beets.

Quinoa was called the “mother grain” by the Incas. Now, as people in the rest of the world learn more about Quinoa, they’re discovering that its ancient nickname was well-deserved. Quinoa is a nutritional powerhouse with many health benefits that should be added to all healthy diets.

Vegetarian – Gluten Free Quinoa

Eating Quinoa is an especially good choice for people with high cholesterol, high blood pressure or other signs of cardiovascular disease. In addition it is an ideal grain for vegetarians as it includes all the essential amino acids. It is also gluten free.

Quinoa’s protein content, about 16 percent, is higher than that of any other grain. Wheat also has a high protein content, about 14 percent, but the protein in wheat and most other grains is lacking in the some of the essential amino acids and specifically the amino acid lysine. In fact, the amino acid composition in Quinoa is almost perfect. The World Health Organization has judged the protein in Quinoa to be as complete as that in milk. In addition, Quinoa contains more iron than most grains.

Harvest Grain Quinoa

You can find quinoa in almost any conventional grocery store.  My local store sells the Ancient Harvest brand of quinoa.  The box that I have in my kitchen cupboard looks just like the one pictured on this page.

Perfectly Cooked Quinoa, Easy Recipe

You can make a healthy side dish to serve with dinner using quinoa instead of rice. Bring 2 cups quinoa and 4 cups of water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the quinoa inverts showing a little spiral line. Perfectly cooked quinoa will be soft and easy to chew.  If there is any remaining liquid at this point, drain it off and set the quinoa aside.

In a skillet heat some olive oil. Saute diced onion and a couple of cloves of garlic. When tender, add in some asparagus tips and ½ cup walnuts. Saute until the asparagus is just done and the walnuts are toasted.  Toss in your quinoa, stirring until hot. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

It is yummy! The best way to eat is to incorporate a wide variety of foods into your diet.  Americans rely too heavily on processed wheat and corn products.  Try something new.  The ancient grains are fun and full of nutty flavor.  The 6 Week Natural Diet will bring you new eating ideas that keep you healthy with a natural food diet.