Aish haTorah's Quinoa Recipe

From the Article "Queen of the Grains" 

By Gitta Bixenspanner

Website: http://www.aish.com/f/r/Quinoa_Queen_of_all_Grains.html

Colorful Quinoa Tabbouleh

Ingredients

• 1 cup Quinoa, washed and drained well
• 2 ½ cups water
• 4 medium tomatoes diced
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled if waxed and chopped
• 1 cup fresh parsley, washed well and finely minced
• 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, finely minced (optional)
• 1/2 cup pitted black olives
• 1/2 cup red onion, finely minced
• 1/3 cup lemon juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 Tbs Eden Ume Plum Vinegar (a salty liquid extracted from Japanese plums available in health food stores)
• 3 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 4 ounces roasted sunflower or pumpkin seeds

Directions

Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan, add the quinoa, cover, reduce the flame to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes or until all water has been absorbed. Place the quinoa in a large mixing bowl and fluff up with a spoon until grain is separated. Add all remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly before transferring to a serving bowl. Decorate with some parsley leaves and olives

Preparation 15 minutes

Serves 8

Cooking time 20 minutes

This next recipe looks like it would be a hit for Rosh haShana! 

Quinoa and pomegranate salad

Quinoa is so versatile that it lends itself to sweet or salty recipes. Here it is presented with pomegranate seeds that are now appearing in local markets. Have this recipe in mind when planning your Rosh Hashanah menu. It is easy to make and it is nutritious as it is delicious!

Special note:
 There is coriander also known as cilantro, in this recipe which has a sort of lemony taste. In my experience I found that people have an interesting relationship with this herb; namely either they love it or hate it. People hailing from Mediterranean countries appreciate it’s pungent taste, while those of Eastern European descent are not accostumed to it’s taste. Feel free to use your discretion when making this recipe which is great with it or without it.

Furthermore, mint adds another dimension to the dish. I pluck some mint out of my backyard garden and use it sparingly, not to overpower the dish with the mint flavor.

Ingredients

•  1 cup (150g) quinoa
• 1 ½ cups water
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
• ½ cup pine nuts
• 1 pomegranate, seeds removed
• Small handful mint, chopped (optional)
• Small handful coriander/cilantro, chopped (optional)
• 1 lime juiced
• 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

Wash quinoa very thoroughly. Cook according to package instructions (about 20 minutes) adding salt and garlic powder to the cooking water. allow to cool for a few minutes, then fluff up with a fork.

Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan until lightly golden. Mix the pine nuts, pomegranate seeds, herbs, lime juice and 4 Tbs oil with the quinoa. Serve as is, or as a side dish to fish or chicken.

Recipe extra

Feel free to add chopped dried apricots instead of the pomegranate. Or try adding some broiled shredded chicken.

Preparation 15 minutes

Serves 6

Creamy Quinoa Pudding

 Ingredients

• 1 cup Quinoa, rinsed
• 2 ½ cups Almond Milk
• 1/8 tsp Sea Salt
• 1 tsp organic sesame tahini
• 2 Tbs Maple Syrup
• 2 Tbs corn starch, dissolved in 3 T. cold water
• 1 Tbs pure vanilla extract
• ½ tsp nutmeg, freshly grated (optional)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 4 cinnamon sticks for garnish

Directions

In a heavy saucepan cook quinoa, Almond milk, and salt until it comes to a boil. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Add sesame butter and Maple syrup. Mix well. Add corn starch, stirring constantly until mixture thickens. Add vanilla and spices. Top with your choice of chopped nuts, roasted seeds or fruit and a dash of cinnamon. Decorate with a cinnamon stick. Delicious warm or chilled.

Preparation 5 minutes

Serves 4

Cooking Time 0:25 minutes

Gitta also offers her readers some very interesting (and refreshing) nutritional news about quinoa: 

"Quinoa rates highest in nutritive value amongst the grains. It is the only grain that is considered a full protein, and is a great source of iron, all the B vitamins, phosphorus and fiber, yet quinoa is easy to digest and prepare. "

And, of course, there is some cooking advice as well:

"To cook quinoa for a pilaf or salad, you can use water or broth. For your morning cereal, try apple or orange juice. To make the cooked grains fluffier, first rinse and roast them in a dry non-stick pan over medium-low heat, stirring until they become fragrant and pop. In about three minutes, when the popping stops, add the liquid, cover and cook until the quinoa is done, about 15 minutes.

Nature protects each grain of quinoa with a coating of saponin, a bitter, soap-like substance that acts as a natural insect repellent, so it is important to rinse quinoa well before cooking. Unlike other whole grains, the germ — the nutrient-rich middle layer of a grain — covers the entire kernel of quinoa. As quinoa cooks, the germ separates from the kernel, creating little white rings. When you see these rings, you know the grains are fully cooked." 

Thanks Aish!