What is quinoa?

Have you heard of quinoa? You probably have, but do you know what quinoa is, what its uses are, or the benefits of including quinoa in our daily diet?With this article, you will learn about quinoa, which is nothing more than a very healthy whole grain. You can include it in your daily diet and take advantage of all the nutritional and health properties it offers.Quinoa is part of whole grains, which are highly recommended to consume just like any other cereal such as flaxseed, and the best part is that it only takes 20 minutes to be ready. If you haven't had the chance to try quinoa, just imagine tasting a nut but with a more delicate texture.The varieties of quinoaQuinoa is a gluten-free grain (highly recommended for celiacs) and cooks quickly. The most commonly available types of quinoa are red, black, and white quinoa. The flavor and nutrition are similar among this range of colors. White quinoa tends to have a fluffier texture when cooked, while the other two have a crunchier texture and the grains do not stick together as much.Nutritional facts about quinoaQuinoa has become very popular due to its high protein content; however, we cannot recommend it as a food that can replace others with higher protein content. Quinoa has the perfect balance of the nine essential amino acids for human nutrition. The proteins it contains are very difficult to find in any other plant food because they are more commonly found in meats. By consuming quinoa, we will also be consuming fiber and iron, providing approximately 111 calories per 1/2 cup of cooked quinoa, although we must consider how we accompany it.How to wash quinoa?Just like rice, it is necessary to wash quinoa before cooking it because these seeds are coated with saponin, a bitter substance that protects the seeds from predators. However, if the quinoa you have on hand is pre-cooked, it will not be necessary to wash it before cooking. The procedure is very simple; just like rice, you only need to soak the seeds in water, stir, and drain with a fine mesh strainer.How to cook quinoa?If you can cook rice, you can cook quinoa, but if you are one of those people who have not cooked rice, do not worry because quinoa is easier to prepare. The simplest way to cook quinoa is by combining 1 cup of seeds with 2 cups of water (you can also use some type of broth) in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. When it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low. Cover the saucepan and cook, reducing the heat as much as possible until tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. This can take 15 to 20 minutes. Fluff the seeds with a fork before serving. As you can see, preparing quinoa is very simple; it is quite similar to cooking rice, but it is not only easy, quick, and nutritious, but also one cup of quinoa yields 3 cups of rice.Next, we want to present you with some cooking recipes that can help you increase your quinoa consumption, so don't wait any longer and prepare one of these delicious recipes as soon as possible!Cooking recipesConfetti QuinoaConfetti quinoa is an easy, fun, and nutritious recipe. See the recipe here.Chicken with Quinoa and BeansA super healthy recipe rich in protein. Quinoa is a rich food as it contains all 8 essential amino acids for humans, so enjoy this recipe for chicken with quinoa and beans. See the recipe here.Quinoa Salad with Lemon VinaigretteQuinoa is a very rich grain that contains protein and is very healthy. This recipe for quinoa with lemon vinaigrette, vegetables, and raisins is delicious. See the recipe here.Quinoa Salad with VegetablesThis quinoa salad is delicious and very nutritious. See the recipe here.Multicolor Quinoa and Flower SaladThis recipe is a delicious multicolor quinoa and flower salad. Surprise your family and friends with this delicious gourmet dish. Pair it with a nice meat and even a good dessert. See the recipe here.If you want to know more healthy recipes, click here.