Quinoa (re)Quest

blog.beauty-goodies.com

My dear friend recently requested some quinoa recipes. So Kate, this one's for you.
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is a fantastic grain. It is gluten free and high in fibre. It is a complete protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids, as well as decent amounts of manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus. Quinoa grain (which is actually a seed) has a consistency similar to couscous but a slightly nuttier texture. You can buy it in white, red or black forms, and it is also available as flakes (similar to oats), and processed products like pasta and flour. 

Quinoa can be used as a side dish, in salads, or as a breakfast porridge. I've also used it to make risottos and sweet puddings. It is fantastic as a replacement for bulghur in tabbouleh.
Quinoa needs to be rinsed thoroughly before cooking, to remove the bitter tasting saponins which coat the grain. It also has a nicer flavour if you dry toast it before cooking. It is quick and easy to prepare: simmer 1 cup of quinoa in 1.5 cups of water until all water is absorbed.
There are a plethora of fantastic quinoa recipes on the net, so I'm going to be lazy and refer to some of my faves instead of posting my own (forgive me Kate!):

• I love this one from The Food Coach - a pilaf with preserved lemon and slivered almonds. I like to add cumin roasted cubes of pumpkin. 
• This recipe for quinoa with spring vegetables and pesto from one of my fave blogs, Gluten free Girl and the Chef looks delicious.
• Mushroom and walnut quinoa from the amazing Cannelle et Vanille. 
• Warm salad of roast cauliflower and quinoa from The Stone Soup. 
• Quinoa salmon burgers and Moroccan quinoa pilaf from The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen. 
• She Let Them Eat Cake makes some fabulous Adzuki Bean and Quinoa Veggie burgers. 
• Try this Mexican quinoa from whyveg.com
• And for something sweet, try this quinoa pudding from Healthy Living...delice!

What have you created with quinoa? 

Keep me posted!

Nat x

Date, Almond & Coconut Fudge Slice

"We develop equanimity and grace as we learn to trust that, with the guiding hand of the universe, life will unfold exactly the way it should."
- Daily Om 


I am (slowly) learning that I simply cannot control every happening in my environment. Sometimes I need to let go and just trust...
I cannot control the behaviour or preferences of others, but what I can do is share my passion with them and hope they can eventually share some of my enthusiasm.
The other day we had a morning tea 'cook-off' at my workplace, (in honour of the Disabilitea promotion for the National Disability Insurance Scheme). I always feel conflicted when asked to bring along a dish to hare at these events. Do I make something more 'traditional' - filled with refined sugar, processed flour etc, or do I stay true to myself and take a dish that may not win any prizes, but makes me feel pleased in the knowledge that I am promoting happier and healthier choices.
So, on this occasion I went for the latter option. I made this Almond Coconut and Fudge slice. Note that whilst this is paleo, gluten free, refined sugar free, and contains loads of healthy fats from the almonds and coconut, it should still be considered a treat and enjoyed in small quantities...


Date, Almond & Coconut/ Fudge Slice
1 cup dates
1 cup almonds (I used homemade roasted, activated almonds of course!)
3/4 - 1 cup shredded coconut
1 Tbs coconut oil
1 tsp organic vanilla powder
1 tsp coconut palm sugar
Melt together the coconut oil, coconut sugar and vanilla. 
Place dates, almonds and coconut in the food processor. Pulse to combine, then add the wet ingredients, and run the processor for about 5 minutes until the mixture forms a smooth ball. Press the ball into a square tin (or roll into balls) and refrigerate overnight. Cut into squares to serve. 
I served mine with fresh strawberries and a smattering of shredded coconut and cinnamon.
Enjoy!
Nat x