New food discovery

[pomba gira]

So we tried this tonight and it's quite good. Tiny little grains with a chewy, almost crunchy texture... reminds me a bit of grits. Tastes kind of like brown rice, kind of bland, I think next time I'll make it with chicken broth instead of water. By all accounts it's crazy nutritious... here's what I found:

The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. It contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans. It is exceptionally high in lysine, cystine and methionine-amino acids typically low in other grains. It is a good complement for legumes, which are often low in methionine and cystine. The protein in quinoa is considered to be a complete protein due to the presence of all 8 essential amino acids. Some types of wheat come close to matching quinoa's protein content, but grains such as barley, corn, and rice generally have less than half the protein of quinoa. Quinoa is 12% to 18% protein and four ounces a day, about 1/2-cup, will provide a childs protein needs for one day. The 6-7% fat of quinoa is relatively high when compared to other grains, but it boasts a low sodium content and also provides valuable starch and fiber. Quinoa also contains albumen, a protein that is found in egg whites, blood serum, and many plant and animal tissues. The seeds are gluten-free which makes this a nutritious and flavorful alternative grain for those with gluten sensitivity. Quinoa would be a worthy addition to anyone's diet, supplying variety as well as good nutrition. The seed is also excellent feed for birds and poultry and the plant itself is good forage for cattle.

It's also the cutest grain you've ever seen- when you cook it, the germ comes away from the seed and looks like a little curly tail on each tiny grain! I cooked it like rice but watch out, it expands much more than rice when cooked! Against my better judgement I followed Tokagemaru's suggestion to cook a cup of quinoa in 2 c of water... we ended up with enough for at least 4 people. Hope it reheats well!

[asphyxian_doll]

YUMYUM!

i love flax seed and many more!

This i will add to my *tasty goodness* list on the fridge.

Thanks pomba!

[jynxxxedangel]

This sounds like something I would like. I'm quite fond of natural grains as an accompaniment to roast meats, and with exotic, spicy stews ladled over them.

I'll bet quinoa would be rather good prepared with chicken broth, and a half-sachet of Goya Sazón Natural & Complete to really jazz it up. Or maybe even flavor it with some harissa. Now that would be interesting.

[Destroit]

Daaamn...that's an all natural way to eat good, that's for sure. There's hardly ever one single food source with that many nutrients unless it's fortified, but natural foods are way better for you than fortified foods. I'll have to check it out.

[pomba gira]

Daaamn...that's an all natural way to eat good, that's for sure. There's hardly ever one single food source with that many nutrients unless it's fortified, but natural foods are way better for you than fortified foods. I'll have to check it out.

There used to be a lot more... the Euros tended to stamp out the indigenous staple crops when they came somewhere to work their colonial magic, the stated reason being that cultivation of said crops was often inextricably interwoven with the local spiritual practices. This is exactly what happened with quinoa.

BTW, I found out it's pronounced "keen-wah". And I found quinoa flour, & pasta, but not the whole grain at Meijer.

[Homicidalheathen]

Sounds good! I gotta try it...hey if its good for the Inca's...its good for me!

I tried coose coose (?) for the first time this weekend...kinda like grits...it was goood....they mix it with stuff.

[n0Mad]

It's also the cutest grain you've ever seen- when you cook it, the germ comes away from the seed and looks like a little curly tail on each tiny grain!

Like sperm?

[pomba gira]

"couscous"

Like sperm?

Not quite, the "tail" stays semi wrapped around the grain... and it's curly like a pig's tail.

[Oh_My_Goth]

Oooo, I love that stuff.....

Try it with diced mango, red & yellow Peppers, cilantro, tomato, red onion.....In a chili lime sauce.....Mmmmm

[SaGa]

i sadly dont like grits. its the texture i dont like thou. maby if as a seasoning the grain whould work for me