Quinoa

This past summer, I discovered Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa). I had heard about it before, but I was hesitant to try it. I already had my many sources of protein in my diet and I wasn't eating many grains (cutting back on gluten). However, I am a fan of finding recipes that I can use again and again and ingredients that can be used in both sweet and savory recipes. Enter quinoa. This not-so-new super-food is technically a seed but prepared like a grain, it's packed with protein, iron, and magnesium. It's considered gluten-free in its raw state, but I'm told you should be cautious if you have a sever gluten allergy.

I bought some prepared quinoa at Whole Foods and ate it with spicy chicken breasts. It has a nutty flavor, but it's a bit bland all by itself. My nephew prepares in with chicken, vegetables, and a little heat and eats it every day for lunch. I think it would work well with my Orange Chicken Stir Fry recipe. Prepare the quinoa with chicken broth and place the stir fry over it like rice. I'll try it and let you know. For now, I'm just mixing it in with various left-overs and baking some Apple Cinnamon Muffins

How to Cook Quinoa

1 cup quinoa

1.25 cups cooking liquid (water, chicken, vegetable or beef broth)

Add one part quinoa to one and a quarter parts liquid. As always, choose the liquid that best suits the dish you are making. Depending on the ad ins you are using, you may or may not use a bit more liquid. Bring to a simmer and then reduce to low. Cover and cook for between 30 and 35 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for an additional five minutes. Fluff and add to your favorite dishes.

Apple Cinnamon (Quinoa) Muffins

1 cup cooked quinoa

1 cup quick oats

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 cup chopped apples (I used macintosh, but any type should work nicely)

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, add your cooked quinoa and quick oats. In a separate smaller mixing bowl, combine your cinnamon, nutmeg and sugars and then add the spice mixture to the quinoa and oats. Then add the maple syrup, apples and eggs and mix until just combined.

3. Spray your muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray. Make sure to spray the top of the pan as well. The mixture will overflow out of the cup a little bit, so you don't want the tops to stick.

4. Fill each muffin slot a little more than half and bake for about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Enjoy!