Quinoa with Green Apples

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a gluten free grain that comes from the Andes Mountains of South America.

It is one of the healthiest grains containing more protein than any other grain.

The protein in Quinoa is high in in the amino acids lysine, methionine and cystine.

It is extremely easy to prepare for a quick, filling and healthy side dish or meal.

On first sight, you might think "my kids will never eat this", but once prepared it actually taste much like rice and can be easily substituted in any recipe that contains rice. 

• 1 cup Quinoa
• 1 Granny Smith Apple diced
• 2 green onions sliced
• 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
• 1 cup cooked chicken (optional)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• gluten free soy sauce to taste

Preparing the Quinoa:

Prepare it in your rice cooker (an appliance I highly recommend for any gluten free kitchen - it will make life easier and you will use it over and over) by adding two parts water to one part Quinoa.

Click on the photo below for a link to a rice cooker:

On the stove top, place 2 cups water water and 1 cup Quinoa in a 1 1/2 quart sauce pan and bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all of the water is absorbed - about 15 minutes.

Once cooked, toss with the above ingredients and season with gluten free soy sauce to taste. 

Experiment with new ingredients you have in your kitchen.

We often combine Quinoa with whatever we happen to find in the kitchen as a quick and easy side dish - it is great with red onions and dried cranberries.