Is Quinoa wheat or protein? If you guessed protein you are indeed correct!!!!
Fun Facts about Quinoa
Even though we have only been able to buy quinoa for the last 10 years in the United States, quinoa has been cultivated for over 6,000 years! Yes… you read right 6,000 years. It was called the “gold of the Incas” and the “mother grain” centuries ago. Played a key role in the pre Columbian culture and was an important source of food as well. Many people attribute the might of the Incan armies to quinoa. Soldiers made war balls from quinoa and took them into battle with them. They were a great food source!!!
It is a great source of iron, manganese, potassium, riboflavin, copper, phosphorous, tryptophan, B6, niacin and thiamine. Here is some fantastic new it is also low fat and low calorie, one cup of cooked quinoa has only 220 calories. YUM.
Let’s cook some quinoa today.
Quinoa Pilaf with Red and Yellow Peppers
1 shallot
1 ounce garlic cloves
41/2 cups of vegetable Stock
11/2 lbs of quinoa
1/2 tsp of salt
2 bay leaves
1/2 black pepper
2 sprigs of thyme
2 red peppers
2 yellow peppers
1. Sweat the shallot and garlic until tender in 1 ounce of stock
2. Add quinoa , remaining stock, salt, bay leaf, pepper and thyme, bring to a simmer
3. Cover the pot tightly and place in oven. Cook for about 15 mins or until the grain is tender
4. Remove and discard the bay leaf and thyme. Quickly fluff the grains with fork to loosen. Gently fold in the peppers at the same time.
5. Replace the lid and allow the mixture to rest and steam.
Meal is ready to be served. Bon Appetit!
