Quinoa Is A Little Known Protein Packed Grain
Quinoa has recently become a favorite among health conscious consumers because of it's unrivaled nutritional value.
Which grain has the most protein, is packed with dietary fiber, is loaded with iron and potassium, has all essential amino acids, and has been used for thousands of years to provide increased stamina and health? The answer: Quinoa (KEEN-wah). Though technically quinoa is considered to be a psuedocereal or a psuedograin (most closely related to beets, buckwheat, spinach, and tumbleweeds), it is commonly cooked and served like a grain so it's colloquially considered to be a grain product.
About Quinoa
Quinoa is a tiny seed that cooks up like rice and has a mild, nutty flavor and a light, fluffy texture similar to couscous. Traditionally cultivated in South America for thousands of years, quinoa was little more than a curiosity outside of the Andes region. However, because of it's nutritional content, the fact that it's gluten free, and westerner's relatively newfound openness to more different diets, it has recently proliferated throughout the worldwide food market.
Why Quinoa
Considered to be a super-food or super-grain, quinoa has quickly found itself in more and more kitchens. So why has quinoa become so popular so fast? In comparison to other similar foods, quinoa has more substantially more protein and fiber. Though it is slightly higher in fat content, it edges out other similar grains because of its high levels of protein and dietary fiber per serving. It has also become a favorite of gluten free chefs looking for new foods to add to their diet. Plus, quinoa is packed full of the minerals iron and potassium, both vital to keeping your body functioning properly. Add to that the inclusion of 9 essential amino acids; histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine (cysteine), valine, threonine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine (tyrosine), and the nutritional value of quinoa is clear.
Cook with Quinoa
Not only is quinoa good for you; it can be prepared and used in a variety of ways. For instance, Bob's Red Mill Quinoa can be a used as a side dish, part of a delicious dessert, or a healthy breakfast. Below is a delicious recipe for Cinnamon Berry Quinoa.
Cinnamon Berry Quinoa
Ingredients:
1 cup Bob's Red Mill – Organic, Whole Grain Quinoa Grain
1 cup low fat milk
1 cup water
2 cups fresh berries (your choice)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
4 teaspoon agave nectar
Directions:
1. In a medium sauce pan, bring to boil milk, water and Bob's Red Mill Quinoa
2. Reduce heat (medium-low) cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
3. Turn off heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in berries and cinnamon
5. Top with toasted pecans and drizzle agave nectar over each serving
See more products and conditions:Quinoa, Rice, Grains
Which grain has the most protein, is packed with dietary fiber, is loaded with iron and potassium, has all essential amino acids, and has been used for thousands of years to provide increased stamina and health? The answer: Quinoa (KEEN-wah). Though technically quinoa is considered to be a psuedocereal or a psuedograin (most closely related to beets, buckwheat, spinach, and tumbleweeds), it is commonly cooked and served like a grain so it's colloquially considered to be a grain product.
About Quinoa
Quinoa is a tiny seed that cooks up like rice and has a mild, nutty flavor and a light, fluffy texture similar to couscous. Traditionally cultivated in South America for thousands of years, quinoa was little more than a curiosity outside of the Andes region. However, because of it's nutritional content, the fact that it's gluten free, and westerner's relatively newfound openness to more different diets, it has recently proliferated throughout the worldwide food market.
Why Quinoa
Considered to be a super-food or super-grain, quinoa has quickly found itself in more and more kitchens. So why has quinoa become so popular so fast? In comparison to other similar foods, quinoa has more substantially more protein and fiber. Though it is slightly higher in fat content, it edges out other similar grains because of its high levels of protein and dietary fiber per serving. It has also become a favorite of gluten free chefs looking for new foods to add to their diet. Plus, quinoa is packed full of the minerals iron and potassium, both vital to keeping your body functioning properly. Add to that the inclusion of 9 essential amino acids; histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine (cysteine), valine, threonine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine (tyrosine), and the nutritional value of quinoa is clear.
Cook with Quinoa
Not only is quinoa good for you; it can be prepared and used in a variety of ways. For instance, Bob's Red Mill Quinoa can be a used as a side dish, part of a delicious dessert, or a healthy breakfast. Below is a delicious recipe for Cinnamon Berry Quinoa.
Cinnamon Berry Quinoa
Ingredients:
1 cup Bob's Red Mill – Organic, Whole Grain Quinoa Grain
1 cup low fat milk
1 cup water
2 cups fresh berries (your choice)
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
4 teaspoon agave nectar
Directions:
1. In a medium sauce pan, bring to boil milk, water and Bob's Red Mill Quinoa
2. Reduce heat (medium-low) cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.
3. Turn off heat, let stand covered for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in berries and cinnamon
5. Top with toasted pecans and drizzle agave nectar over each serving
See more products and conditions:Quinoa, Rice, Grains