Is it pronounced Chinoa or Quinoa? Let's reveal the mystery.

How many times have we heard an acquaintance talk about a strange food, its name seems to be Chinoa, which comes from South America and is very good for health? Surely everyone has then gone on Google to search for it to get informed. And here a doubt immediately strikes the user: but how is it written? Chinoa or Quinoa. We will tell you right away that the correct word is Quinoa, but don't worry, many people fall into this mistake and write Chinoa. This is a common mistake, considering that the incorrect word is searched on Google’s search engine about 1,900 times a month. Discover with us the properties and health benefits of this food.

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Quinoa: what it is and how to cook it

Quinoa is an annual herbaceous plant from the Chenopodiaceae family, like spinach or beet. The seeds of this plant, when ground, provide a flour mainly containing starch, which allows this plant to be classified as a cereal even though it does not belong to the botanical family of grasses.

It is a great source of plant-based proteins, contains mainly unsaturated fats, and is also good for celiacs as it is completely gluten-free. Cooking quinoa is really simple; just toast its grains for a few minutes before boiling them. This significantly enhances the flavor of this “pseudo-cereal.” However, just like other cereals, it can be used to prepare delicious soups and broths or as a side dish to accompany meat and vegetables.

Quinoa: here are some easy and quick recipes

In its summer version, quinoa can be prepared with lemon and avocado, in an easy and quick recipe that is light and has an excellent taste! Meanwhile, for winter, try quinoa soup with seasonal vegetables; it will warm up even the coldest evenings! Let’s see some recipes that will help inspire you to create new ones.

For example, you could make quinoa breaded chicken: cook a cup of quinoa, and in the meantime, cut the chicken into cubes and dip it in a beaten egg; then coat the pieces with the freshly cooked quinoa. Repeat the operation until you have a complete coating. Then place the chicken in a baking dish with a drizzle of oil and cook for 10 minutes at 180 degrees.

Want another recipe? Here you go: Quinoa, potato, and carrot fritters. Cook 150 g of quinoa and add it to a bowl with two eggs, 1 grated potato, 1 grated carrot, and 2 tablespoons of grated fresh dairy cheese: season with salt and pepper and pour a tablespoon into a very hot pan with a drizzle of oil.

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Finally, another recipe, a vegan dish, light and gluten-free: quinoa with vegetables, an explosion of aromas and colors. Imagine little crunchy vegetables accompany the quinoa, the queen of all “pseudo-cereals”.

To make quinoa with vegetables, start by rinsing 200 grams of quinoa several times in cold water and let it drain very well in a colander. Place it in a pan without fats and toast it, stirring often for 3 minutes. Transfer it to a pot and cover it with double its volume in hot water. Place over the heat and cook, covered, on low flame, for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

If it dries out too much, you can add more water while cooking. Transfer it to a bowl and let it cool. Meanwhile, dice two zucchinis, an eggplant, and a bell pepper. Sauté them in a pan with oil and garlic. At the end of cooking, season with salt and pepper and let cool. Combine the cooked vegetables at room temperature with the quinoa, seasoned with oil, salt, and pepper. Finish with a few basil leaves and serve immediately.

Quinoa: it's great for your health

Quinoa, even in its whole version, is a food suitable for those who suffer from celiac disease. It has numerous nutritional properties. It is very rich in proteins, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber. Its composition contains two essential amino acids that are very important for the proper functioning of the body: lysine and methionine.

The latter helps with insulin metabolism. It contains a good amount of minerals and vitamins, particularly magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Quinoa is particularly energizing; 100 grams provide about 350 calories. Being a very nutritious food, its consumption is recommended especially for children, pregnant women, athletes, and convalescents. Its high protein content makes quinoa a valid alternative to protein-rich animal foods.