Whole grains have become a hot topic in the nutrition field and the food industry. Even the big brands are getting into the action and you will see many cereals advertising that their products contain whole grains.
What are whole grains? They are grains in their truest form. Think of items like rice (wild and colored), barley, oats, wheat, and - my favorite - quinoa.
Whole grains satiate your hunger and are filled with fiber, so they take longer to digest; thus, keeping your hunger at bay. An excellent way to start your day is with oatmeal (which I regularly eat 9 months of the year, but it has been too darn hot recently).
You can also finish your day with my favorite whole grain, quinoa (pronounced keen-wah). It is prepared in the same manner as its counterparts, simmer in water or stock until the liquid is fully absorbed. Fluff with a fork and enjoy.
Quinoa can be enjoyed warm or cold. You can eat it as a breakfast, a salad, or as the grain in a quiche. I was getting together with friends this weekend and decided to make a Mexican-inspired quinoa dish. Simple ingredients of cherry tomatoes, scallions, fresh parsley, fresh cilantro, local corn and black beans yielded a fresh mix of flavors and textures.
I dressed the salad with a combination of the following: canola oil, juice from 1/2 a lime, lime zest, ancho chili powder, honey and the requisite garlic powder, salt and pepper. Taste it as you are creating and adjust the ingredients as needed.
Because this dish has moisture from the quinoa, it does not require too much dressing. With 4-6 cups of cooked quinoa, I probably used only 1/3 cup dressing.
This dish gets more flavor as a leftover, so bring some to the party and save some at home for later. You won't regret it!
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| Mexican-inspired Quinoa Salad |
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