Quinoa is one of those in vogue super foods that seem to be everywhere at the moment. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is incredibly healthy and super tasty. Unfortunately, a lot of quinoa on the market is unethically sourced from South America where farmers aren’t necessarily paid a fare wage for their crops. With that in mind, make sure you buy fair trade quinoa, and then try some of these amazing quinoa recipes.
1. Mango and Quinoa Parfait
I believe in getting excited about my breakfast. As someone who used to frequently skip the first meal of the day, I found this didn’t happen once I was enthusiastic about the food in question. This parfait would certainly inspire even the most fervent non-breakfast eater to partake.
2. Quinoa Porridge
The perfect winter staple, particularly for anyone that can’t have traditional porridge due to gluten intolerance or the like.
3. Vegan Quinoa Mac N Cheese
This recipe is a fantastic alternative for those of us who are health conscious or vegan.
4. Salmon with Moroccan Quinoa and Quail Eggs
This is a bit on the fancy side, which makes it perfect for dinner parties or special occasions.
5. Walnut Pear Salad with Quinoa and Sweet Potato
This salad combines incredibly delicious flavours with simplicity. The dressing is made from an easy combination of apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar–each of these ingredients add to the general healthiness of the salad itself. Great for a quiet lunch or to take to a dinner party.
6. Quinoa Crusted Chicken Fingers
This recipe is great for adults and kids alike. It’s also good for people who have a gluten intolerances and don’t want to miss out on the tastiness that is chicken fingers–simply leave out the breadcrumbs. To make it healthier, use cold pressed olive oil or simply bake them in the oven instead.
7. Squash Boats with Quinoa Filling
I adore this recipe because it allows me to indulge in something that’s still relatively uncommon in Australia–using squash/pumpkins in sweet recipes. This is incredibly filling, so I definitely recommend sharing.
8. Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
I love this breakfast bowl because it’s incredibly versatile. You can remove the egg if you prefer it to be vegan, or add bacon if you’re pro eating meat. You can do whatever you want with this and it will still be delish.
9. Whole Wheat Banana Quinoa Pancakes
Who said that pancakes must be unhealthy? You can make these even healthier by substituting the flour for almond meal and the sugar for honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar. Or simply add berries to the mixture to naturally sweeten them.
10. Strawberry-Banana Quinoa Smoothie
I love smoothies. You can’t really go wrong by combining banana and strawberry. Quinoa helps to make it all the more filling.
11. Quinoa and Cauliflower Patties
These vegetarian-friendly patties make for a lovely lunch on a bed of salad, or even on a burger bun if you’re after something a little bit more substantial. I’d recommend pairing it with tzatziki.
12. Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies
I know that none of us really think ‘healthy’ when it comes to chocolate chip cookies, but considering this recipe. The ingredients used here are as healthy as you can make them. Besides, we all need to live just a little.
Featured photo credit: Quinoa via alterecofoods.com
