Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked HCW Black Quinoa, Organic
2 cups water
Pinch of salt
1 large mango, diced
2 large tomatoes, diced
3 onions, sliced
½ cup coriander, chopped
2 medium avocados, diced
¼ cup fresh lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method:
-
Add the quinoa, water and salt to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Turn down the heat and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until water is absorbed. Remove from the heat and fluff with a fork. Let the quinoa cool to room temperature.
-
In a large bowl, combine the quinoa, mango, tomatoes, onions, coriander and avocados.
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil and cumin.
-
Pour the dressing over the quinoa salad and gently stir until well combined.
-
Season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Serves 6-8
12 things you should know about quinoa
1. it’s delicious
No matter how ‘good for you’ a food is, I don’t include it in my diet unless it passes the taste test. Puffed quinoa won’t be starring on stonesoup anytime soon but the whole grains definitely make it. Slightly nutty and grainy, they’re something I could keep eating and eating.
2. it has a funny pronunciation
I always feel a tiny bit pretentious when I correct people but apparently it likes to be referred to as ‘keen-wah’.
3. it’s high in protein
A big positive for vegetarians and athletes as I’ve learned recently. It’s also pretty good on iron and fibre, which gets the nutritionists excited.
4. it’s gluten free
With my Dad being gluten intolerant, I’m always appreciative of new options to cook for him. He’s pretty keen on the rolled quinoa flakes for breakfast as well.
5. it needs washing before use
I read somewhere that the surface of quinoa contains a chemical called saponin that has a bitter soapy taste. Most commercial quinoa will already be washed and have the saponin removed but it’s a good idea to rinse it just before you use it in case there are residues.
6. it comes in different colours
Just like grapes, quinoa comes in different varieties. The most common is white, but there are also red and black. Health Connection stocks all three varieties.
7. it comes in different forms
Just like corn, it can be puffed or rolled into flakes or you can buy it whole.
8. it looks like a grain but is actually a seed
9. it has an interesting texture
The thing I love about quinoa is it’s texture. Something a little like barley with its chewiness, it also has a light fluffiness akin to well prepared couscous.
10. it’s better if you cook it
One of my first experiment with quinoa I just rinsed it in boiling water, tossed it in dressing and used it in a salad. It was edible but a little weird.
11. you can also eat the leaves
I’m yet to find a souce of fresh quinoa or it’s leaves but if you do apparently the leaves are edible. Something like chard or silverbeet.
12. it’s becoming more readily available
In South Africa it’s even available in the ‘health food’ section of most supermarkets. Am sure any health food store worth its lentils would either already stock quinoa or be able to source it for you.
To download this recipe and add it to your collection, simply click on the PDF document icon below.
Enjoy!
