That Quinoa News!

Jen Reviews, is our newest contributor with this interesting article about a vegan staple. Quinoa. For more amazing health related info, head over to her site and have a look around.

Adopting a more plant based diet is a goal of many, but it can be tough to know where to start. Vegan food doesn’t have to be bland and tasteless. On the contrary, vegan food can be some of the most flavourful food you’ve ever tasted. By utilising the intensity of herbs and spices, you can ramp up the satisfaction and flavour profile of any dish. This can especially be true in regards to preparing seeds and grains that are virtually tasteless by themselves.

Quinoa is different from grains like rice and oats in that it actually is categorized as a complete protein. It is one of the few plant foods that containing all nine essential amino acids. Although quinoa is commonly included in the same conversation as grains, it is botanically more like spinach. What we know to be quinoa is actually the seed from a flowering plant.

This unique seed is typically prepared by boiling in combination with water, similar to the preparation commonly used to cook rice. Quinoa can be served a sweet or savory dish, and can serve as a snack, side or a foundation of a dish. Sweeter quinoa dishes can be made with ingredients like cinnamon and pure maple syrup, while savory dishes can be made with ingredients like black pepper and onions. You could even add quinoa into your morning bowl of oats for some added protein and diversity.

Check out Jen's simple recipe for Spicy Quinoa HERE. (It has been Thermomix-ified!!)