All you need to know about Quinoa

You mat not be familiar with Quinoa but it has been enjoyed by the peoples of South America for thousands of years. South America is still the main source for growing quinoa although farmers in other countries with a suitable climate are also growing it. I live in the UK and have seen quinoa in quite a few places including supermarkets in the healthy cooking section and in dedicated health food shops.

What is quinoa?

To find quinoa you will need to go to the grain section of the shop or catalogue. It is actually a seed from a plant that is related to Spinach and Chard. The leaves can be cooke or eaten raw. Beause the quinoa leaves do not stay fresh for long you can only get them where the quinoa is grown. The quinoa seed is by far the best way to get the full goodness from quinoa.

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What is Quinoa Like?

The seeds are similar to dry rice only about a third of the size. There are different varieties but the most common one is the creamy white type. Red and black quinoa is much rarer. When I buy it I get it in 500g or 1 kg dry packs. You can replace any favourite rice dish you have with quinoa very easily. This doesn't mean it is bland and uninteresting - far from it. It has a taste and original texture of its own.

How do you cook Quinoa?

The most basic method of cooking quinoa is to boil it in water and simmer for 10 -12 minutes. You need 1 measure of quinoa to 2 measures of water. All the water will be absorbed by the Quinoa. Some quinoa still has a coating of bitter tasting saponins. You will need to get rid of this coating by running the quinoa under a tap for a minute or two. Most shops now sell without the coating.

When it is ready to eat you simply use it as an accompaniament to you main dish or indeed as a solo meal. There is no almost no limit to what you can do with it. As well as blending in well with the other ingredient quinoa adds its own crunchy texture to the mix.

A well known feature is the little halo you get which is actually the germ that becomes more visible with cooking. You will feel a nice crunchy feel when you eat some. Some people describe this as being nutty. I’m not sure I agree but quinoa does taste good.

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You can microwave quinoa and put it in casseroles as a thickening agent. As well as the seed version there is also quinoa flour and quinoa flakes. You cannot use exactly in the same way as normal flour but it is useful in the kitchen.

What is special about Quinoa?

Quinoa has a number of unique qualities. Being Gluten free you can include it into almost any special diet and it will not cause any health complications. It also has all the essential proteins so is good for supply vegetarians with minerals and vitamins you can’t get easily from other foods. Because it realeases the carbs slowly over time it is know to benefit a number of food related health problems.