Quinoa

In our Enrichment Food Group this week, a couple of our sisters taught us how to cook using Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah). Have you heard of it? It is an amazing little "Super Grain". The Incas called it the "Mother Grain"

Our information says it is "packed full of protein (9 amino acids - making it a complete protein), calcium (more than milk), Omega 3 Fatty acids, a good source of manganese (necessary for metabolizing calcium), Vitamin E, magnesium, phosphorous, iron and copper and Fiber (1/4 cup has between 5-6.5 grams of fiber).

The sisters bore their testimonies about following the Word of Wisdom more fully and the blessings that come by eating meat sparingly and adding more grains into our diets.

"Yea, flesh also of beasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used sparingly;

"And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be used, only in times of winter, or of cold, or famine.

"All grain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth" (Doctrine and Covenants 89:12-14)

You can use Quinoa for substitutes... meat substitute in ground meat recipes, grains in rice recipes, and for beans in Mexican recipes. You can add it to soups, salads, salsas, breads, cookies, pilafs, and more. Cook it at a 1:2 ratio Quinoa:Water..(like rice) but it cooks a little faster.

She showed us how to cook it and let us taste test a bunch of different dishes. I am sharing a recipe that she gave us. I made it for dinner last night and my husband LOVED it!

Thai-Style Lettuce Wraps

1 chopped onion
3 chicken thighs, or 2 large breasts finely sliced
1 TB oil
2 garlic cloves, minced

In a large saute pan, combine all ingredients and cook over med-high heat until chicken is no longer pink. Add into the pan:

1 C water
2 TB soy sauce
2 square inches worth of grated fresh ginger root
1 chicken bullion cube
1/4 tsp Thai red curry paste (to taste)
1 tsp. curry powder
3 TB peanut butter (+/-)
1 tsp basil
Dash of nutmeg

Bring all ingredients to a boil, stirring continuously. Cook until a thick consistency is reached. If it gets too thick, just add more water. Now add in:

1 C cooked white quinoa

Stir to combine, remove from heat. Serve in lettuce leaves with lime juice.
Great toppings:
shredded:cucumber, carrots, red cabbage
Flaked coconut
Chopped peanuts
Cilantro, sweet peppers
Anything that you think would be great

You can also choose to leave out the chicken and just do a vegetarian wrap!
Enjoy!