Grown and cultivated for thousands of years high in the Andes, quinoa is the seed from a plant closely related to spinach and chard. So while technically not a grain, it is often called a supergrain. It was the staple food for Incan warriors.
Quinoa is highly nutritious and supplies complex carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, calcium, riboflavin, Vitamin B6, naicin, thiamin, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc and copper. It is also a complete protein as it contains all nine amino acids, including lysine. Being gluten free, it’s ideal for people who suffer from food allergies from typical grains.
It’s easy to cook and is great with steamed or sauteed vegetables. You can find pasta made from quinoa as well and it’s easy to experiment with to make your own hot breakfast cereals. You’ll find it ideal for many meal options this time of year.