Wendy Polisi - 15 Mar

Copyright 2011 by Wendy Polisi

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN: 978-1-61608-535-3

Printed in China

A culinary pleasure cruise through a South American staple

O ne of the greatest discoveries Ive made is that just because food is healthy doesnt mean that it has to taste terrible.

Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I was taught that healthy food tasted bad. When you went on a diet, you lived on celery sticks, carrots and grapefruit and tried not to complain too loudly. Most of us knew so little about nutrition back then, and it never once occurred to me that whole fresh foods could also taste delicious!

Ive always been an all-or-nothing kind of person, and it has taken me some time to realize that there is a happy medium. While most of the recipes you will find in this book are undeniably healthy, there are also a few indulgences for those times when you feel like you need something a little special or you are going to go off the reservation! Eating perfect all the time just isnt a reality for most of us, but we can still nourish our bodies in the process of feeding our souls.

An amazing thing Ive discovered is how well quinoa blends into dishes. It can add substance and nutrition without standing out, making it perfect to make indulgent dishes a bit healthier.

Ive tried to give alternatives and variations when I can, but I must confess that gluten-free eating is not my strong point. Although I am trying to learn, if you are someone who must follow a gluten-free diet, please make sure that you consult with your health professionals and dont take my word that something is gluten-free. It is always important to read labels and take responsibility for your health.

Lets take a look at the different types of quinoa you will see used in this book.

Quinoa Seeds

When people talk about quinoa, most of the time what they are referring to is quinoa seeds. I dont know about you, but I was actually very surprised when I learned that there are actually 1800 varieties of quinoa. Some are as tiny as a grain of sand, but most of what we see commercially is closer to the size of a sesame seed. Although quinoa can be brown, yellow or orange, most often you will find white, red and black.

Recipes are written for white quinoa, although red and black will work just fine in any recipe. The darker quinoas have a slightly firmer texture and do not absorb water as well. For this reason, you should use about 15% less liquid or plan on draining the quinoa when you are done cooking. You may also cook it a bit longer. Just be careful not to overcook because overcooked quinoa resembles glue and also loses its flavor.

Quinoa Flakes

Quinoa flakes are a bit like oatmeal and can be used in place of oatmeal in most cases. They are good in baking, added to smoothies and as baby food. In fact, it is my understanding that there is a baby food line in the works using quinoa flakes as its base!

Quinoa Flour

Quinoa flour is ground from quinoa seeds. If youve never tried quinoa flour, dont let the smell put you off. It smells like a cross between sneakers and dirta definite earthy flavor. While it seems a bit strong, when you bake with it, the flavor becomes quite nutty, almost resembling nut butter.

Quinoa Pasta

Quinoa pasta is a real delight! While my family does not care for the taste of whole wheat pastas, we all enjoy quinoa pasta. It is most often gluten-free, making it an excellent alternative for those following a gluten-free diet. One thing to keep in mind when cooking quinoa pastawhile the package rightfully warns against overcooking, you should also be very careful not to undercook. Test a piece to make sure it is done before you remove it. More than once Ive ended up with a batch of hard pasta.

Quinoa Polenta

You can purchase quinoa polenta in long tubes and use it just like any other polenta. In fact, if you want to try the polenta recipes in this book but cant find quinoa polenta, feel free to substitute the polenta of your choice.

Because some of the recipes in this book call for cooked quinoa, Im including basic cooking instructions. One thing to keep in mind is that the many varieties of quinoa, combined with the fact that everyones stove is a bit different, means that cooking quinoa perfectly can take a bit of tweaking. It is smart to use visual cues to let you know the quinoa is done. As soon as the tail of the germ starts to pop out, test the quinoa to see if it is done. Always remember that the quinoa will continue to cook a bit as you let it sit off the stove covered.

How to Cook Quinoa

Step One: Always Rinse Your Quinoa!

If you are working with unrinsed quinoa, you want to start off by soaking your quinoa. You can soak for an hour or more without a negative impact, but 15 minutes will do the trick. (Some health experts actually recommend soaking for 8 hours, but if you do soak for this long keep in mind that it will not take as long to cook.) After soaking, rinse for 2 or 3 minutes in a fine metal strainer. If you do not have a colander that is fine enough, you can line your regular colander with cheesecloth to get the job done. If you are using pre-rinsed quinoa you can skip this step.

Step Two:

Add 1 part quinoa to 1 parts liquid. As always, choose the liquid that best suits the dish you are making. Depending on what you are adding to the quinoa as it cooks, you may or may not use a bit more liquid. Bring to a simmer (NOT A BOIL) and then reduce to low. Cover and cook for between 30 and 35 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit covered for an additional 5 minutes.

Alternative Cooking Methods

How to Cook Quinoa in a Rice Cooker

Cooking quinoa in a rice cooker is very simple, but you should be prepared for a bit of tweaking. You will want to use your white rice setting, but make sure that you do not skip rinsing. Use twice as much liquid as quinoa, and to prevent sticking you may want to put a tablespoon of olive oil on the bottom of your cooker. Pay attention to the time that it cooks, so that you can make adjustments next time. Some models tend to slightly overcook the quinoa, but by being aware you can make adjustments.

How to Cook Quinoa when You are Short on Time