Curried Quinoa

Quinoa is an awesome gluten free vegan protein source.  The way I prepare it, you'll want to put it on and in everything.  But first....make sure your soak it.

Soak quinoa for about 4 hours with water and a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.  I like to use the same pot I'm cooking in to soak as it saves on dishes.  Soaking grains and beans in water and some type of acid breaks down the phytic acid which coats the grains.  Phytic acid naturally protects the grains from bacteria and other critters.

​By soaking your grains, you make them much better for absorption and assimilation. This is particularly important for vegans and vegetarians who rely on this versatile grain for it's protein content.  Quinoa contains all essential amino acids so it is a complete protein and one cup (cooked) has 8 grams of protein.  It is a superfood high in all the B vitamins, magnesium, and iron.  It's high in fiber so it is great at balancing blood sugar and it's filling so with just one cup in a salad you will be satisfied for hours without feeling heavy, bloated or sleepy.

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Curried Quinoa
Ingredients:

• 1 cup of quinoa, rinsed and soaked with 1T apple cider vinegar for at least 2 hours then drained
• 2 cups purified water
• 2 tsp. curry powder
• 1 tsp. each sea salt and turmeric
• 8 turns of black pepper on a pepper mill
• 1/4 tsp. each cayenne pepper flakes, cumin and coriander
• 1/8 tsp. each cinnamon and ground cloves
• 2-3 tsp. raw honey to balance flavours

Method:

1. ​After soaking and draining quinoa put back in the soaking pot and add 2 cups of purified water.
2. Add all spices and herbs to the water but not the honey.
3. Heat the saucepan on 7.  When the water is warm but not yet boiling, stir in honey.  This mixes the ingredients and heats the honey so it slips off the spoon easily.
4. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce heat for 20 minutes.
5. Check the quinoa after 20 minutes if you can't see any water bubbling up, take it off the burner and take the lid off for steam to escape. If you can still see water, put the lid back on and cook for another 4 minutes.
6. Let cool completely and store in a glass container in the fridge.  It's great cold in salads.  If you are vegan or vegetarian add it to everything to boost your protein intake.

Nutritional Information:

• Turmeric is great for reducing inflammation.  However, it needs black pepper to be assimilated by the body.
• Cinnamon is also good for reducing inflammation and is especially good for the heart.

​** I add this to my Build a Salad Meal (Salads) and my favorite Sunday breakfast ever... Smashed Avocado with Sauted Greens and Quinoa (Coming Soon to Breakfasts).

Go here to print this recipe: recipe_curried_quinoa.docx

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