3 Quinoa Recipes That Will Fascinate You

Quinoa is a versatile gluten-free cereal, so we can take advantage of it as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes

Quinoa is a very well-known cereal in South America, especially in Peru, where it comes from.

Its many contributions to health, as well as its ease of combining in the kitchen, made it ideal for the preparation of different recipes.

If you still don’t know what quinoa is, don’t worry. We will explain everything you need to know about this cereal and, in addition, we will give you the tools to prepare delicious recipes at home.

It can be used for the preparation of breads, stews, soups, and even as a nutritional supplement. Its health benefits are considerable, so it is the food of the day.

This cereal has the particularity of having elements of seeds and grouped cereals, but no gluten. Therefore, it provides dynamism at the time of its use, it is not limited to a specific type of food.

The nutrient load it contains is also remarkable. For every 100 grams of quinoa, there are around 16 proteins, which makes it a really interesting food.

Some consider it the “hottest superfood”, and we’ll show you why.

Among the benefits of quinoa we find:

• Controls cholesterol levels
• Works as an antioxidant
• Ideal for people with celiac disease
• Helps give hair strength and structure
• Keeps skin hydrated
• Reduces the appearance of migraines

Now that we know its benefits, let’s take a look at different ways to use it in the kitchen.

3 convenient ways to cook quinoa

1. Quinoa with vegetables

Quinoa with vegetables is the preferred option for those who want a dish with nutrients and perfect for combining healthy eating with ease and taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of raw quinoa (80 g)
• 1 onion
• 2 carrots
• 1 cup of mushrooms (125 g)
• 1/2 eggplant
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 cup of Swiss chard (45 g)
• 2 cups of vegetable broth (500 ml)
• 1 cup of grated cheese (115 g)

Preparation

• Add the quinoa to a colander and wash it off with tap water.
• Clean it, drain it and cook it in boiling water for 10 minutes.
• Peel and wash the carrot, then cut it into slices.
• Cut the eggplant and add the mushrooms with the chard, then cut the onion into small pieces.
• Use a pan over medium heat with a little oil and start to sauté all the vegetables, as well as the garlic, until golden brown.
• Season to taste and let them cook little by little.
• Add the grated cheese and mix.
• Then cook for another 3 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. Chicken quinoa

This dish is very balanced and delicious, it will provide you with a lot of fiber, protein and vitamins. In addition, it is very easy to prepare, being the ideal option to take as a main course.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of raw quinoa (80 g)
• 1 chicken breast
• 2 peppers (green and red)
• 1 onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon of coriander (10 g)
• Soya sauce
• Ginger and spices

Preparation

• Start by washing the quinoa well to release all the starch it contains.
• Place it in a saucepan with water, add salt and bring to a boil. Then add the quinoa.
• Once cooked, let stand and pass through a colander.
• Cut the onion and peppers and brown with a little oil in a pan.
• Beat the eggs, add a pinch of salt and pour them into the pan.
• Then add the chicken with a little oil and let it brown.
• Remove the chicken and add the onion and chopped peppers. Add more oil if necessary, cook for 5 minutes.
• Crush the garlic in a mortar and pound it with ginger and spices, then mix well.
• Add this seasoning to the pan with the vegetables and pour in the soy sauce.
• Add the quinoa and the chicken pieces. Finally, lower the heat and mix well, leaving to cook for 5 minutes.
• Once cooked, turn off the heat, let stand and serve.

3. Quinoa in yogurt

This delicious dessert is a great snack alternative. It is a versatile food and very quick to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of raw quinoa (80 g)
• 1 natural yogurt (125 g)
• A tablespoon of honey (25 g)
• Strawberries or your favorite fruit
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• Additional dried fruits

Preparation

• First of all, you need to prepare the quinoa before using it in this recipe.
• The first thing to do is wash it in a colander under running water while stirring carefully with your hands.
• Then fill a saucepan with water and when it boils, cook for 15 minutes until its size has doubled.
• Wash the strawberries then remove the stem. If you want, you can also add other fruits to your yogurt quinoa.
• Select the nuts and other dried fruits you want to add to the mixture.
• In a bowl, then mix the quinoa with the yogurt and a spoonful of honey, stirring well so that all the cereal is well soaked.
• Finally add the fruits and nuts, mix gently with a spoon and then you can enjoy this tasty yogurt quinoa, a perfect choice for breakfast, snack or dessert.