×
  • Home
  • About
  • Work with me
  • Success Stories
  • Health Challenges
    • Digestive Conditions
    • Skin Conditions
    • Hair Loss
  • Food Blog
  • Find Me
  • More
    • Plans & Packages
    • What To Expect
    • Data Privacy
  • Free Ebook

How to cook quinoa

March 26, 2014Recipes by categorySides, starters, soups & snacksDairy-FreeGluten-freeGrainsLow GI

Quinoa – so easy!

Quinoa is technically not a grain but a seed and is seriously easy to cook.  It’s really rich in protein at a whopping 14% so will keep you fuller longer.  Make sure to buy whole quinoa grains, not quinoa flakes or flour.  If you (or your kids) struggle to like new tastes, stir in something strong-tasting and familiar (like basil pesto or tomato sauce) prior to serving for the first time.  For a really simple meal, I sometimes cook enough quinoa and when its done but still hot, stir in a drained rinsed tin of chickpeas, a couple of spoons of dairy-free basil/sundried tomato pesto, and some chopped rocket or baby spinach leaves, a little chopped red onion, a clove of crushed garlic and lots of extra virgin olive oil.  This makes a gorgeous warm salad and is lovely cold too (eg. in lunchboxes).  Simple cooked quinoa with pesto would make a great after-school snack…

 

For 3 servings (as an accompaniment)

150g (about 3/4 mug) whole quinoa grains
310ml (about 1  1/2 mugs) boiling water

  1. Put your quinoa into a saucepan.  Add the boiling water and cook, covered with a lid or a plate, for about 10 mins.  No need to stir.  Remember never to cook quinoa in cold water if you want it to be fluffy and delicious.
  2. The grains are done when you can see little steam holes in the surface, the water will be absorbed and you can see little curly white lines at the edges of the grains.  If not all the water has been absorbed, turn off the heat, replace the lid and leave for 5 minutes to fluff up.
    Cooked quinoa

    Cooked quinoa

    Why this is good for you
    Quinoa is rich in essential vitamins and minerals as well as protein so its a pretty good all round food.  It’s a great one to introduce to your kids if you struggle to get them to eat enough protein (eg. meat, fish, eggs, beans) instead of just pasta and bread all the time.   Because quinoa is so high in protein it does not cause the sharp spikes and troughs in blood sugar that so often contribute to energy problems, hyperactivity and concentration difficulties.   It’s also rich in magnesium which you need for keeping chilled out, and potassium which you need for good thyroid function, energy and mood.  Its also high in folic acid, betaine and choline, which are fantastic for your brain health.  Buy organic if you can, as it contains higher levels of essential minerals due to not being exposed to the pesticide glyphosphate (roundup) (see my April 2014 newsletter, shortly to be posted on www.annacollins.ie)

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Add Comment Cancel

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Search Anna’s Food Blog

I’m a Dublin-based nutritionist helping you to enhance your digestion, skin or hair. For tons of info on digestion, skin and hair click here.

Categories

  • Breads, crackers, pancakes & wraps
  • Breakfasts & smoothies
  • Cakes, biscuits & bars
  • Cook-in sauces
  • Desserts & drinks
  • Dressings, rubs, spreads, sauces & more
  • Larder & shopping
  • Main courses
  • Packed lunches
  • Recipes by category
  • Sides, starters, soups & snacks
  • Uncategorized

Follow Anna’s Food Blog via Email

Loading

Tags

Beans Beans & pulses Beans pulses & tofu Chicken Christmas Dairy-Free Dairy-free option Dairy-free options Egg-free Egg-free option Eggs Fish Fruit GAPS diet Gluten-free Gluten-free option Grain-free Grains Herbs & spices Herbs and spices Ketogenic diet Ketogenic diet option Low carb Low GI Medium GI Nuts & seeds Nuts and seeds Oily fish Paleo Paleo/stoneage diet Paleo diet Poultry Prebiotic fibre Red meat SC diet Shellfish Suitable for dairy-free Vegan Vegan option Vegetables Vegetarian White fish Whtie fish Yeast-free

Pay by Paypal

Anna Collins Nutrition Services
Other Amount:
Your Name:

Recent Posts from Anna’s food Blog

  • Braised asparagus

    Braised asparagus

    March 12, 2021
    I LOVE this and it takes less than 10 minutes to cook. Have it as a side, or sprinkle with my vegan Parmesan (recipe on …Read More »
  • Vegan “Parmesan”

    Vegan “Parmesan”

    February 25, 2021
    If you’re dairy sensitive, one of the things you might miss is a sprinkle of Parmesan here and there. I LOVE this recipe for vegan …Read More »
  • Easy venison or beef stew with celeriac

    Easy venison or beef stew with celeriac

    February 7, 2021
    I love to make this and put half in the freezer for a lovely fast dinner some other time. I like to save half the …Read More »
Copyright ©2016 all rights reserved
Designed by Plethora Themes

Cookies Information

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.

Cookie settingsREJECTACCEPT
Cookies Policy

Cookies Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies.

But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non Necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

Save & Accept