Quinoa is a wonderful grain to eat – its known as a superfood!
Full of goodness, high in protein and calcium plus gluten free.
Here I talk through how to make quinoa – for kids you can keep it plain if you like (although I would always add the bouillon when cooking), however if you might like to take it to another level for your kids or your self here is a simple recipe to follow – more suggestions below
150g quinoa
1 tablespoon of bouillon powder
30g roasted hazelnuts
1/2 orange zested
1/2 red onion
a handful of fresh mint and parsley finely chopped
2 teaspoons cumin
1-2 clove of garlic crushed (2 is quite garlicy)
Olive Oil – enough to lightly coat
Seasoning
Method
Wash your quinoa in cold water in a sieve and drain.
Place the quinoa in a small saucepan and sprinkle over the bouillon (this gives it some real depth of flavour, body and seasoning). Next cover the quinoa with boiling water so its well covered and with about 1cm of water on top.
Bring up to the boil and allow to simmer for 10-15 minutes or until softened, cooked and the water has been absorbed.
Take off and allow to cool.
Quickly lightly pan fry your sliced onions until soft and transucent.
Mix them into your quinoa with your crushed garlic, chopped herbs, orange zest and roasted hazelnuts.
Drizzel with enough olive oil to coat and loosen and season
Adding some cooked onions to any rice/grain dish really helps to give it some more body and texture so if you have time – do – if not some herbs, spices, roasted nuts (which can be done in advance and kept in your storecupboard) will work wonders and take minutes!
Other nice things to throw in…raisons, dried apricots, dried cranberries, feta, nuts such as pistachio, pine, cashew etc – toasted brings out their real flavour