First, welcome! If this is your first time here, I'm happy to have you. If you're a long-time reader and just checking back on the basics, I'm thrilled to see you again!
I’m Alyssa the creator and food-lover behind Simply Quinoa. If you’re new to the world of quinoa and gluten-free eating then you’re in the right place – this page will introduce you to my all-time favorite superfood and show you a few simple steps you can take right now to start integrating this miracle seed into your diet. Ready to get started?
Quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is the superfood that has completely revolutionized the way I, and many members of this community, eat. By integrating this nutritional powerhouse into our diets, it has helped us to navigate the gluten-free and whole-food lifestyles with ease. And personally, I’ve even lost a few pounds in the process! But enough about why I love it….let’s get to the facts.
Quinoa hails from South America (the Peruvian Andes to be specific), and has been touted by health experts for it’s miracle nutritional properties. With the rising demand of quinoa, it has quickly become a booming industry in countries like Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. While many people believe quinoa is a grain, it is actually a seed and related to beets and spinach. Quinoa is grown primarily in Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, but is also being tested in the US and Canada.
Over the past few decades, quinoa has broken onto the health scene with a splash.
I’m sure part of the reason why you’re curious is about quinoa, is that health experts around the world tout quinoa as a superfood. While there may be different school of thought on what makes something a “superfood”, there are many reasons why quinoa is good for us! Let’s look at the highlights (if you’d like to see a more detailed explanation, check out this post on Quinoa Nutrition Facts).
Cooking quinoa is much easier than you may think. We’ve already talked about how it’s a great substitute for rice, but guess what? It cooks in less than half the time (and bonus, it’s way more nutritious). I have a few methods for cooking quinoa, but my personal preference is #1, the old school method.
Cooking quinoa on the stove
Like rice, quinoa is very easy to cook on the stove. Simply bring two cups of water and one cup of quinoa to a boil, cover and reduce to simmer for 8 – 12 minutes. The quinoa is done cooking when the water has been absorbed and the germ has separated from the seed.
Cooking quinoa in a rice cooker
When cooking quinoa in a rice cooker, you treat it exactly as you would white rice. Add two cups of water of water and one cup of quinoa to your cooker and turn it on. The rice cooker should automatically turn off or switch to the “warming” setting when the water has been absorbed and the quinoa is ready.
I’m confident in saying that quinoa is an ingredient that everyone can love. Whether you’re an avid rice fan, someone who suffers from Celiac disease, a vegetarian who is trying to get more protein into their diet, or even someone who simply wants to eat healthier, quinoa can find a place in your diet and home.
By now I’m sure that you’re ready to get cooking! To help get you started, I wanted to get you on the right track with a few of the fan favorite recipes from the website.
5-Ingredient Quinoa Mac and Cheese
Now before I let you go so you can start simplifying your health with easy, nutritious meals, I want to invite you subscribe to my newsletter, where I share exclusive content, cooking tips, videos and more!
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See you on the inside!
xo Alyssa
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