Recipes: Quinoa - by Mandy Wilks

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by Mandy Wilks

Created on: January 24, 2011

Quinoa is a foodstuff that many people don’t know much about and one that many, many people have not tried. Although most people tend to think that quinoa is usually though of as being a whole grain, it is actually a seed; it is however cooked and used like whole grain foods like barley and rice. It does however have the advantage of being cooked quickly - usually in just ten to fifteen minutes.

This seed is popular in vegetarian dishes as it contains all the nine essential amino acids and so contains protein – in fact it contains more protein than any of the gains. On top of this quinoa is also gluten, cholesterol and fat free and chock full of vitamins and minerals– it is really an excellent food and should be used a lot more than it actually is.

Quinoa is actually very tasty when just cooked on its own; it has a really lovely nutty, smoky flavour; however adding a touch of oil, seasoning and lemon juice really makes it delicious.

It’s fantastic for non- vegetarians too, especially if watching your weight; cooked in a chicken stock the quinoa absorbs all the flavour and makes a tasty change to other carbohydrates.

This recipe for a really tasty and unusual salad is a wonderful vegetarian dish and if following the new Weight Watcher ProPoints diet one portion contains only 5 ProPoints.

QUINOA & POMEGRANATE SALAD

Serves 2/3

INGREDIENTS

150g quinoa

1 vegetable stock cube

Seeds of 1 pomegranate

2 spring onions, finely sliced

Chopped fresh mint & coriander

Juice of 1 lime

2 teaspoons olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

METHOD