Fruit and Nut Quinoa



Quinoa(pronounced KEEN-wah) originating from the Andes region of South America,is revered for its excellent nutritional profile.Its gluten-free with an exceptional source of protein,contains all eight essential amino acids and is high in iron,calcium,magnesium,phosphorus,B vitamins and fiber.With mild,slightly nutty flavor ,its a sensible substitute for white rice or couscous.

Quinoa is easy to cook like rice and couscous.Makes a delicious meal mixed with vegetables,herbs and spices.Quinoa is also great in soups and stews.Adding juicy fruits and nuts would tempt even a pickiest eater.
Recipe Fruit and Nut Quinoa
serves 4
Ingredients
2 cups Organic Quinoa
1/2 a medium onion,finely chopped
1 clove garlic,finely grated
1 teaspoon fresh ginger,finely grated
pinch of turmeric
1/2 teaspoon chili powder or cayanne
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup berries(I use frozen cranberries and strawberries,use fresh when in season)
1 Orange,peeled and cut
1/2 cup each of pineapple and mangoes,diced
1/2 lightly toasted nuts (I use almonds and walnuts)
2 tablespoon fresh herbs(Parsley or cilantro),chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

Method
For a richer flavor,quinoa can be toasted in a dry skillet for a few minutes before cooking.Stir continuously during toasting to prevent burning and to toast the grains evenly.Rinse quinoa before cooking,place in a fine strainer and place under cold running water until water runs clear.Drain well after rinsing.
Heat oil on medium heat in skillet,add the onions,garlic and ginger,saute for 3-4 minutes.Add the spices and toast for another minute.Add 4 cups of water and bring to a boil.Then stir in the quinoa,lower heat and simmer,covered,until quinoa is tender but still chewy,that is until germ separates from the seed ,about 15 minutes.
Mix all the fruits, nuts and sprinkle the herbs before serving.

Health nut Challenge 3 :Healing foods - please share yours.

Comments

A colorful dish! Great idea!

Cheers,

Rosa
Anonymous said…
I've heard of Quinoa,but I didn't know it's gluten free.Not that I'm allergic or anything,but it sounds very interesting...and delicious :)!Thx for this recipe.XO
Anonymous said…
Oh yes...and I like the idea of a soup in a cup,like in the previous post.Seems so comforting - real soul food ;).
chrystad72 said…
beautiful colors! what an amazing dish! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Rahin said…
looks colorful and festive Yasmeen
Wow thats coincidence I made quinoa for dinner yesterday. Looks so delicious and yummy .. so colorful too .
shahana said…
Learned one more healthy recipe from ur blog.Thanks for sharing!!
PJ said…
this looks awesome! Quinoa is one of my favorites and I am happy to say now it has crossed rice to be the main grain of the house :) Fruits and nuts quinoa sounds like a great idea.
very healthy n colorful dish...
Beatrice said…
This looks beautiful and delicious...

I only just recently figured out that quinoa tastes lots better if you rinse it first.
ann low said…
WOW! This is awesome with beautiful colours.
Shwetha said…
What a wonderfully colorful and vibrant dish. I feel rejuvenated just looking at it.
P.S - I really like what you're doing here - cooking with thought and care using natural ingredients. I'm going to be back for more..... often!
Anonymous said…
Great idea to combine the fruits and nuts with quinoa, very colorful and delicious!
Anu said…
wow awesome.. very colorful... Healthy recipe...
Indhu said…
Adding fruits is such a cool idea.. I usually make this with just vegetables :)
Quinoa is one thing that I still not tried yet. I hope i can have some. The dish is colorful and I think it is delicious.
Unknown said…
new to me..nice colour and looks ealthy and yumm..
Priya Suresh said…
Beautiful and colourful dish, looks incredible with those fruits & nuts..
Sunshinemom said…
I love the colours!!
SE said…
beautiful and colorful...im yet to try quinoa..a good option to cracked wheat.
FH said…
Healthy start for new year Yasmeen. Happy and healthy 2010! :)
Dolly Sharma said…
Thats such a beautiful treat for the eyes. You come up with such wonderful and healthy recipes, Yasmeen. Hats off to you. I have never tried Quinoa. Looking at ur awesome and inviting Clicks, I'm surely going to try ur recipe soon. Loved ur informative intro abt Quinoa.
Anonymous said…
can i use sabu dana instead of quinoa. I dont know it is available here or not?
Ok, I have to admit, I haven't quite warmed to the taste of quinoa, lover of basmati rice that I am. BUT I like your approach, and will keep this in mind for the next time I make quinoa. Pretty cool that it's gluten free.
Nithya said…
Wowwww.. this looks so colorful and tempting to eat. :)
Finla said…
Looks like jwels. Beautiful, healthy and delicious.
Joanne said…
I adore quinoa. I'm pretty sure it is my favorite grain...more so than rice for sure. This is a perfect way to serve it - bursting with flavor and color.
Renus Kitchen said…
good idea of toasting quinoa....
Sushma Mallya said…
wow so beautiful & colourful....
tasteofbeirut said…
I need to get serious about trying quinoa! I think your post just about convinced me to do so asap!
Soma said…
Give me quinoa anytime & I am ready. We use it a lot in our diet. A perfect my kind of meal.
Kerstin said…
What a gorgeous quinoa salad - it looks so fresh and delicious!
Ivy said…
Great looking and healthy fruit salad.
Spice said…
very nice & colorful dish.....looks quite similar to dalia(cracked wheat)
...never tried quinoa
I love quinoa ...I have to try this. Fruit and quinoa together...can it get any better than that? I think not!
Ayesha said…
A grain I don't think I'll ever get were I live.Looks very beautiful with fruits and nuts.
Nice blog and look like so delicious recipe.
Thank You,

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