| Quinoa has been enjoyed in its home country of | | | | water will be absorbed by the Quinoa. Some quinoa |
| South America for over 3000 years. It is still grown | | | | still has a coating of bitter tasting saponins. In this |
| mainly in Bolivia and Ecuador although farmers in the | | | | case you need to pre-rinse the quinoa to remove this |
| southern states of the USA are now growing quinoa | | | | coating before cooking. You are unlikely to buy |
| as it becomes more and more popular. In the UK it is | | | | coated quinoa as most shops sell it pre-rinsed but its |
| now available in some of the major supermarkets as | | | | best to be sure. |
| well as the larger health food stores. | | | | Once you have cooked the quinoa you can add it as |
| What is quinoa? | | | | a base for meat dishes instead of rice. You can also |
| Quinoa is often called a grain and is usually catalogued | | | | include it salads and soups. It takes on the flavour of |
| in the grain section of shops. It is actually a seed | | | | the foods you cook it with and adds it own little bite |
| from a plant that is related to Spinach and Chard. | | | | to the taste. |
| You can eat the leaves as well as the seeds. Of | | | | When the quinoa is cooked you get a little "tail" that |
| course the leaf version is only available where it is | | | | is the germ of the seed. This has a very pleasant |
| grown as it does not store or travel well. The seed | | | | crunch to it when you eat it. This is why I think |
| version however is increasing in production and is | | | | people say it tastes a bit nutty. I'm not sure I agree |
| recognised by nutritionists as one of the most | | | | but quinoa does taste good. |
| beneficial foods in terms of mineral and vitamin | | | | You can microwave quinoa and put it in casseroles as |
| content. | | | | a thickening agent. You can also find quinoa flour and |
| What is Quinoa Like? | | | | quinoa flakes that you can bake with. The flour is not |
| The Quinoa seeds are little oval seeds 2 - 3 mm in | | | | like wheat flour and you need to use your ingenuity |
| size. They are usually creamy yellow although red and | | | | to use it properly. |
| black varieties are available in some countries. They | | | | What is special about Quinoa? |
| come in dry packs of 500g or 1kg ready for you to | | | | There are a number of things that make quinoa |
| cook. You can use them as a replacement for rice or | | | | special. Firstly it is gluten free so for people who |
| cous cous. Having said this it does have its own | | | | need to avoid gluten it is a great addition to their |
| flavour and characteristics that make it quite versatile | | | | diet. It also has all the essential proteins so is good |
| in the kitchen. | | | | for supply vegetarians with minerals and vitamins you |
| How do you cook Quinoa? | | | | can't get easily from other foods. Finally it releases its |
| The most basic method of cooking quinoa is to boil it | | | | carbohydrates into the body very slowly so helps |
| in water and simmer for 10 -12 minutes. You need 1 | | | | people with diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and |
| measure of quinoa to 2 measures of water. All the | | | | other dietary related diseases. |