It is made of Quinoa (keen-wa), a grain that is often referred to as the super grain due to its high nutritional value. I guess that this grain has been used in areas of South America since 3000 BC. The ancient Incas referred to it as the "mother grain" and revered it as sacred.
Up until last week, I had barely tried it. Give this recipe a try and I promise you won't be disappointed.
Quinoa Vegetable Salad
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon canola oil
1 Tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup diced yellow or purple onion
Heat canola in saucepan over medium heat. Cook and stir the garlic and the onion in the hot oil until the onion has softened and turned translucent. About 5 minutes.
2 1/2 cups water
1 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Teaspoon black pepper
2 cups uncooked quinoa
Pour in the water, salt and black pepper and bring to a boil. Stir in the quinoa and reduce heat to medium-low and cover with lid. Simmer about 20 minutes. Drain any remaining water and refrigerate until cold.
3/4 cups fresh tomatoes
3/4 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced yellow pepper
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 cup diced cucumber
1/2 cup frozed sweet corn (thawed)
1/4 cup diced red onion (or less to taste)
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 Tablespoons olive oil
3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Once the quinoa mixture is cold, add the vegetables. (Add or delete vegetables based on what you have on hand). Then drizzle the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Toss gently to coat evenly. Salt and pepper to taste.
This is really tasty and even better the next day. Put it on some lettuce and add some more balsamic vinegar and your won't believe how satisfying and yummy it is. Enjoy!!
It looks way too healthy!
ReplyDeletelooks tasty. I'll have to try it. I discovered quinoa last fall when I was doing my candida diet. This is a yummy recipe too:
ReplyDeletehttp://ourscoop.blogspot.com/2010/11/corn-and-black-bean-quinoa-salad.html
I've been looking for a good Quinoa recipe. I'm excited to try it!
ReplyDelete