Quinoa: gluten-free super food!

quinoa for breakfast with raisins, walnuts, brown sugar and garam masala

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa), is a complete protein grain that hails from the Andes in South America. It is considered a super-food because of it's exceptional balance of amino acids, vitamins and minerals. I eat it because I like it, and it makes a nice change from rice, or buckwheat as a morning breakfast cereal. In the the summer my preferred way to enjoy quinoa is in place of cous cous (which is cracked wheat - and NOT gf) in a tabuleh salad (typically includes parsley, tomatoes & cucumbers and mint). I'm not making that today as tomatoes and cucumbers are far from in season here in Canada... but we will eat plenty of it come summer (Bill won't pick out the cucumbers if I cut them small enough).

Cooking instructions are really easy: add 1 cup quinoa (rinse it thoroughly in a sieve) to 2 cups water with a pinch of salt.Bring to a rolling boil, then cover and let simmer on low for about 15 minutes or until all of the water has been absorbed.

Fluff with a fork and treat it like any other grain, varying spices to fit the dish. Please do share your favourite way to enjoy quinoa in the comments!

easy gluten-free breakfast idea

I greet each new day in a zombie stance - each step of my routine is done with little thought - all process. Maximizing hours with my head on the pillow has inspired a diligent routine that begins with hitting the snooze button exactly twice. 

All this said to illustrate that I am not one to create a leisurely breakfast. It's about speed and nutrition. In the cold months I want something hot and comforting. Good local fruit is limited... so it's time to pull out the Bob's Red Mill hot cereal.

At first I balked at the effort required. It's now so simplified and automated that some mornings I do it in my sleep. The trick is having the ingredients and tools at the ready. My breakfast gear is all stored on one shelf in jars.There are microwave instructions on the bag... but I opt for stove top as it takes the same time and "effort".

1/4 cup brown rice or "GF Mighty Tasty Hot Cereal" mix

3/4 cup water

optional: 

handful walnuts & organic raisins

1/2 tsp brown sugar or maple syrup

cinnamon or ginger or garam masala

cook first two ingredients in a little pot. When thick pour over the other ingredients in a bowl. Stir. Eat while surfing the net or looking for your keys.

This stuff sticks to your ribs and will keep you fueled until lunch. Keep in mind that what makes it stick to your ribs, also makes it stick to the pot - so rinse out right away or pay later! 


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