Cooking Quinoa – Nutritional Facts & Recipe

Cooking quinoa is easy and good for you. The grain quinoa, is a nutritionally complete protein.

It is one of only 2 grains that have all of the essential amino acids that are usually only contained in animal proteins.

A healthy diet must include all the essential amino acids. An essential amino acid is one which our body can not manufacture. Animal proteins have all the essential amino acids and so does quinoa.

If you are a vegetarian then it is essential to good health that you are able to consume all the amino acids in a nutritionally sound diet by eating whole grains. Few people think of whole grain as being anything but wheat. A nutritional healthy whole grain diet is more than just whole wheat.

The old world grain and super food quinoa, was believed by the South American Indians to give them super human powers.

Cooking Quinoa – Quinoa With Fruit and Nuts

Cooking quinoa is as easy as cooking rice.

This simple recipe will make it easy to get started on a new taste in grains that has an old world nutty flavor.

You can use any kind of dried fruits or nuts that you have in your cupboards.

1 cup quinoa
1/2 cup walnuts (or any nut)
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. cumin
½ tsp ground coriander
2 Tbs. olive oil
½ cup chopped dry dates (or any dried fruit)
1 bunch green onions sliced end to end
½ red pepper-diced

1. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
2. Stir in quinoa, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
3. Dump into large bowl and fluff with a fork periodically until cool.
4. Toast nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown.
5. Add all ingredients to fluffed quinoa, toss and serve warm or chilled.

Quinoa = Nutritional Protein Source

When this recipe is used for 4 servings, each serving has the protein content of 10 grams.

Vegetarians or vegans should include quinoa and other grains that are complete proteins in their diet to ensure that they are getting all their essential amino acid needs. Not only is quinoa a terrific source of protein, it also is cholesterol-free, unlike the animal protein counterparts, and is rich in immune-boosting properties. Quinoa is therefore frequently classified as one of the super foods.

Quinoa Salad Recipes

This recipe is great served cold as a salad. Just add a dash of cider vinegar to the above recipe and serve it cold. Feel free to be creative and substitute other nuts, fruits, herbs or spices for a variety of flavors. There are other quinoa recipes on the site so check the recipe category at the right or click the related links below for more recipes.