Quinoa: three recipes to serve the superfood.

The Quinoa is a South American herbaceous plant, and its seeds have organoleptic properties that are difficult to find in other foods. Its applications in the kitchen are countless, but here in Italy, we have only been getting to know it better for a few years. We at Spaghetti & Mandolino don't want to miss out and offer you three special recipes that are delicious and nutritious, sure to make you lick your lips.

Quinoa: gluten-free protein

Before moving on to the recipes, let's learn more about this seed that has been experiencing a remarkable market success in recent years. Why does quinoa have the designation of Superfood? There are two main factors that make it so important and “contemporary”: the high protein content and, above all, the total absence of gluten. The Andean populations consider Quinoa the quintessential food, and it is for these characteristics that they define it as "the mother of all seeds". It is rich in potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium, as well as calcium and fiber. The unique protein content is truly exceptional: it is one of the rare foods that contains all essential amino acids needed for the body's functioning. Quinoa also has a great ability to produce flour with a very high starch content and is incorrectly classified as a cereal, even though it is not, as it does not belong to the grass family.

Quinoa is a product that can suit everyone: from the most sensitive who seek gluten-free products from plant sources to traditional consumers who require a diet that pays more attention to new forms of nutritionally valuable foods. This seed can be used to prepare first or second courses but can also be enjoyed for breakfast or a snack.

Three Quinoa-based recipes

Quinoa Cookies

This recipe will allow you to enjoy Quinoa from the morning with delicious cookies that you can dip in your milk coffee. You will need 200 g of whole wheat flour, 100 g of Quinoa, 100 ml of plant-based milk, 80 ml of corn oil, 50 g of brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
First, cook the Quinoa in unsalted water until well softened. In the meantime, mix the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. Drain the Quinoa and add it to the dry ingredients, starting to work the dough with your hands. Add oil and plant milk, and work the dough until you have a homogeneous mixture. If necessary, add more plant milk to soften the dough. Let it rest in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, and then roll out the dough with a rolling pin and cut out the cookies using cookie cutters or a knife. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Et voilà.

Vegetable Quinoa Paella

Yes, Quinoa can be used instead of rice to prepare a completely vegetable paella. Here are the ingredients for four people: 300 g of Quinoa, 40 g of cooked peas, Extra virgin olive oil, Coarse sea salt, Turmeric powder, 3 cloves of garlic, 2 red peppers, 2 zucchinis, 1 onion.
Cook the Quinoa in boiling salted water three times its volume, to which you will have added two teaspoons of turmeric powder. The cooking time can vary from 10 to 15 minutes. Dice the vegetables and sauté them in a pan with a drizzle of oil. Then add the cooked peas and Quinoa once it is cooked and drained. Mix everything together, sautéing in the pan over high heat, and serve.

Quinoa Bake

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The Superfood can also be used to create a delicious bake with lentils, peas, and zucchinis. Here are the ingredients for 4 people: 500 g of Quinoa, 300 g of green lentils, 200 g of cooked peas, 100 g of diced zucchinis, Chopped parsley, Extra virgin olive oil, Coarse salt, Breadcrumbs.
Cook the Quinoa and lentils in salted water in two separate pots. Drain the Quinoa and let it cool separately. When the lentils are ready, blend them in a mixer until you have a puree. Mix the Quinoa with the peas and zucchinis, previously sautéed in a pan, in a bowl. At this point, combine the lentil puree and chopped parsley. Then mix everything well and transfer it, forming well-compacted layers, into a pre-oiled loaf pan. Sprinkle the surface with breadcrumbs and bake at 180°C for 45-50 minutes.

We at Spaghetti & Mandolino can supply you with Quinoa, Whole Quinoa, or we have ready-made recipes provided in dehydrated versions to better preserve all the properties and genuineness of Quinoa and the ingredients used to dress it. And for a break... there's always the Blond Ale Quinoa Beer!