Week 4 - Day 3

*One of the following statements is false.  Can you pick which one?

1. Quinoa is an ancient grain that was used by the Inca Indian Civilizations in South America over 5000 years ago.
2. Quinoa is one of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom.
3. Cortez made eating this grain mandatory, because it was thought to give humans "superpowers."
4. Quinoa is gluten-free, provides all the essential amino acids in a balanced pattern, is an alkaline food, and is a low-glycemic index food.

{*Note:  Quinoa is pronounced "keen-wah"}

Find out the answer to this question in today's lesson of the Healthy Home Ec book.

Gather your supplies and ingredients.

Clean the scallions and remove the roots.

I looked everywhere for dried apricots and couldn't find any without preservatives.  

When I lived in Florida, I could find some at a certain health food store, but couldn't find them here.

Hopefully you could find apricots, but if not, you could use dried mangoes like I did here today.  

Both are good.

Even though this is pre-washed upon purchasing, I still rinse mine in a bowl to remove any residue saponin (see page 59 in the Healthy Home Ec book) that may be left on the grain.

Drain using a very fine strainer.

Bring the desired amount of water to a boil, then add the quinoa.

Cover, and cook as directed (steps 2-4).

While the quinoa cooks, juice the lemon as directed (step 6).

{Jesus spoke the words on this plaque over 2000 years ago when he lived on this earth.

Don't ever let anyone tell you that there is no absolute truth, that truth is relative.

It's a lie.

Wondering which way to take in life?

Wondering how to have abundant life?

Do you want to know the truth?}

Slice the onions, peppers, and dried fruit.

Toast the pine nuts (step 8).

Pine nuts have become very pricey.  

Watch for them to go on sale, then freeze them to prevent them from becoming rancid.  

Cooked quinoa:

 Notice how the grain appears soft and the red becomes translucent.

The germ ring will be visible along the outside edge of the grain.

Combine all the remaining ingredients.

Mix together thoroughly.

Serve and enjoy.

Store any left-over lemon juice in a small container or jar and keep in the refrigerator until needed,
or in the freezer.  Be sure to leave 1/2" headspace to allow for expansion.
Just remember to thaw it out before you need it.

Have a blessed evening, dear friend.

Until the next lesson....