May 31, 2008
Quinoa tastes great, and it is one of the most nutritious whole grains available on the planet. Ostrich complements the robust flavors of quinoa, tomatoes, and spices. Ostrich is a red meat closer in taste and texture to beef than chicken. If you can’t find it, ground turkey will do in a pinch. When you toss in a heap of veggies, you’re left with a stand-alone hearty, delicious, and highly nutritious meal that will satisfy the appetite of two hungry people. This recipe is easy, and can be completed in 30 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
1 lb. ground ostrich, or ground turkey
½ cup dry quinoa
3 cups water
1 small can (6 oz) tomato paste
½ medium onion
½ cup corn kernels
pepper strips
½ tsp cumin
1 tbsp chili powder
½ tsp salt
Tabasco sauce, to taste
Instructions
1. Bring the quinoa to a boil in 3 cups water and a pinch of salt. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Set a timer for 30 minutes.
2. Brown the ground ostrich and onions in a nonstick skillet. Add the corn and peppers and toss over high heat until vegetables are thoroughly thawed and start to brown.
3. After 10-15 minutes remove the lid from the quinoa and stir-in the tomato paste until mixed. Add the browned ostrich and vegetables, stir, and then add the spices. Mix completely, cover, and simmer on low heat for the remainder of the time, or until you have the desired consistency (should be fairly thick).
Makes 2 servings.
Tagged with: most nutritious whole grain • Ostrich • quinoa • recipe
April 29, 2008
Quinoa (keen-wa) is called a super grain that’s not really a grain. Quinoa comes from a plant that is like spinach; actually it’s the seed of the plant. It is full of protein and potassium and filled with iron and riboflavin.
You will find quinoa at health food and specialty food stores. Recently grocery stores are starting to offer quinoa. Quinoa is a terrific replacement for white rice as a side dish or as part of the main course. It is flavorful and really good for you.
Recipe for using Quinoa:
Quinoa with Flank Steak and Vegetables
1 cup quinoa
1- 1lb flank steak
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
sliced onion
1 8oz package of mushrooms
(All vegetables can be substituted with other vegetables)
Preparation: Cook the quinoa as directed. Once it’s cooked, add salt (or salt substitute and pepper to taste) and mix with a little bit of olive oil to make it moist.
Cut flank steak into bite size pieces and sauté in olive oil over low to medium heat. Cut up green pepper, red pepper and onion and sauté in a separate pan using olive oil. Once the meat is cooked, add the vegetables and sauté together. Add quinoa to the meat and vegetable mixture and mix it all together and serve.
Tagged with: Health Food • quinoa • replacement for white rice • specialty food • spinach
January 15, 2008
Quinoa is tagged to be the world’s most nutritious grain. Most of us are only familiar with potatoes, wheat and rice – and we unknowingly pass up on the opportunity to benefit from the health wonders of this not-so-familiar grain.
This member of the Chenopodium family is power-packed with fiber. It is a complete protein source which has almost double the content of your usual breakfast cereal. Quinoa has lesser carbohydrates than regular cereal and it even offers consumers a dose of healthy fats. In addition, quinoa has essential amino acids and it is high in magnesium, iron and phosphorous - aside from being easily digestible.
If you have not tried it yet, the texture of quinoa when cooked is similar to couscous with a bit of a nutty flavor. Look for quinoa at the grocery’s health foods section and cook it as your side dish, use it to make creamy soups or include it with your dessert preparations.
Tagged with: Health Articles • Health Food • quinoa • quinoa health • quinoa peru • what is quinoa
