Monday, October 3, 2011

Quinoa a grain of distinction....

Quinoa is an ancient grain that the Inca's used and it packs a powerful nutritional punch.
It has the highest protein content of all grains and is a great source of calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins B and E.

It cooks up quickly and can be made into many different and delicious recipes.

One that I particularly enjoy is this southwestern style salad.



Southwestern Quinoa Salad

Rinse 1 cup of quinoa in a fine meshed sieve, drain.
Put 1 1/2 cups of water to boil in a medium sized pot.
When the water is boiling add 1/2 tsp. salt and then the rinsed quinoa, return to boiling then lower the heat and cover the pot. Let simmer for 15 minutes, turn off the heat and keep the lid on for another 5 minutes.
Remove lid and stir then set aside to cool.

Saute 2 cups of frozen or fresh corn until just cooked, set aside to cool.

Dice 1 small red onion, 1 red pepper and 1/4 cup cilantro.

Put the cooled quinoa and corn into a large bowl and stir in the onion, red pepper and then add 3 tbsp. lime juice, 3 tbsp. lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir well and put in the fridge for the flavours to meld.

I like it with fresh salmon or on it's own for a quick and healthy lunch on workdays.



I added some grated carrot to this one and I think this recipe is open for experimentation so have some fun with this one.

Speaking of cooking Sue over at The View from the Great Island is always cooking up something fabulous in her kitchen and she takes such lovely photographs of her culinary creations. I hope that you'll pop over and pay her a visit.

Bon appetit!

Hope that your week is off to a great start.

13 comments:

Adrienne Shubin said...

I buy quinoa and then don't know what to do with it. So I stopped purchasing it. I had a recipe a few years ago that I loved, but lost. Your recipe sounds similar and very tasty. I'll have to give old quinoa another shot. xo, A

Susan Tiner said...

We picked up a bag of quinoa at Costco but have made it only once. Your recipe sounds delicious, I'll give it a try!

By the way, your post with the Waldorf salad recipe inspired me to host a dinner party featuring Waldorf salad. It felt like we were channeling the 1960s :). I hope to get a post up with a photo of the salad in all its glory sometime later this week and I'll link to your post.

Suburban Princess said...

I love quinoa! I like using it for tabbouleh and I just found a casserole made with it - will be trying it out next week I suspect!

Sue/the view from great island said...

Hey, thanks so much for the mention! I just got off the phone with my sister in California and she was telling me all about how she's discovered quinoa. I sat down to my computer and clicked on your blog and here it is. I think the stars have aligned and it's time I tried it.

mette said...

I don´t know if we have quinoa over here.
Your recipe sounded something even I could master ; )
I´ll have to check this up, thanks !

Paula said...

Quinoa is also great for a low-glycemic-diet!

materfamilias said...

While I enjoy quinoa, I've never cooked with it myself -- maybe it's time to do so, following your inspiration. That salad looks like one that could travel well for my work lunch.

the gardener's cottage said...

i love quinoa and eat it often. i will def try this one leslie. thanks.

Annie ~ Red Roses and Crystal said...

My daughter works in a health food establishment so is in tune with all the good grains and cooks tasty meals using them quite often. We enjoyed a yummy salad the other day that was based on quinoa.
Me, well, I've never attempted to cook this grain, I just know she boils it up on the stove. I must take note next time!
Annie xx

Sydney Shop Girl said...

I've never tried quinoa, Hostess. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Will definitely give it a go.

SSG xxx

Sydney Shop Girl blog

Deb said...

So funny! I bought a HUGE container of this at Costco and have been wondering what to do with it. This looks perfect. Thanks!

Britta said...

Dear Hostess,
that sounds and looks delicious - will try it! And I love when it is healthy in addition (why waste calories for food that is not?) So thank you!

Judith said...

We eat at a vegetarian restaurant and quinoa is used in their tabbouleh,stuffings,bakes and pilafs.

Agree Hostess this is the best of the plant foods highly nutritious,your salad looks delicious. Ida