Creative quinoa recipes you may have overlooked

Quinoa has recently become popular in the Western world as it provides an alternative for health-conscious and special dietary requirements individuals. It being gluten-free only adds to the many benefits this special seed provides. Even if you are not watching your weight, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten intolerant, quinoa adds a new earthy flavor to your existing food choices. 

So, what is it exactly? Well, it is a gluten-free, easy to grow, nutritious alternative to grains. Quinoa is high in fiber, protein, minerals, vitamins, manganese, copper, and the nine essential amino acids. It is absolutely nutrient-packed and we love that although it is high in carbs as well, you only need a small portion to get full. If you have gut health issues or concerns, quinoa will help manage those discomforts perfectly as even the most sensitive of stomachs can handle it. 

We are going to give you a couple of ways in which you can prepare your quinoa; do add your own twists to them to make them even more pleasurable to you.

Steam it

This is not as boring as it sounds. Steaming foods generally maintains their nutritional integrity, therefore steaming quinoa is a cooking method we highly recommend. You can cook it as you would rice, as in this steamed quinoa recipe. Serve with a relish or some steamed vegetables and fish to make it an overall exciting dish.

Have it in a salad

Quinoa in a salad will give the salad texture. If salad bowls are your thing, quinoa will make a perfect addition to your ingredients. You would have a balance of vegetables and fiber and a wholesome nutritional meal. Salads are a great option if you are watching your weight or want to eat something that is not too heavy. A quinoa salad will then make you full without feeling bloated. Highly recommend it. 

Pop it

The versatility of quinoa is something we thoroughly enjoy, she is a friendly girlie! You can have quinoa as a snack like popcorn and that it is easy to make is a bonus! All you need is a pan and the quinoa, that’s all. It’ll puff up and get a bit fluffy, not like butterfly popcorn but enough to be enjoyable in its size. Add your favorite flavor or some butter and your snack is ready!

Add it to your cereal

You can add it popped to give your cereal some crunchiness along with other nuts or just on its own. Adding quinoa will keep you full and add texture to your breakfast cereal and also keep you fuller for longer.

Fry it

Quinoa can be used as a substitute for rice in fried rice recipes; so instead of using rice, you use quinoa. You would still have to steam it first. We think that this adds an interesting twist to the original fried rice recipes and will certainly add some variety to your menu. Quinoa-fried rice sounds like a delicious option for sure!

While we have told you all the good stuff about quinoa, we recommend that you consult with your doctor before adding it to your diet if you have a sensitive gut or are averse to allergies because while it is great, it may not be great for you. We love it and recommend it to our readers because it is a versatile seed. Have a look at these recipes as well to add to your quinoa culinary enjoyment portfolio.