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Quinoa is our new favourite food!

Why do we love this versatile food? Because it's amazing. And you may be surprised at how many different ways you can incorporate quinoa into your menu plan.

Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is the seed of quinoa plant which is native to South America. Quinoa has a nutty flavor with a slightly crunchy texture. Quinoa is becoming more and more popular in North America due to its nutritive value - it is gluten free, high in fiber, and contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. Therefore, it is not surprising that quinoa is a favorite among vegans, vegetarians, and those who are sensitive or allergic to gluten. Some people think that quinoa is quite expensive; however, quinoa triples in size when cooked, so a little goes a long way.

Quinoa is very versatile and can be prepared as a side dish, salad, or main dish. Do not forget to rinse quinoa under cool running water before cooking to eliminate residual bitter taste associated with saponin (a bitter resin that covers quinoa seeds).

Here are some of our favorite quinoa recipes:

• Quinoa porridge 
• Quinoa bites
• Quinoa, cucumber & mint salad
• Easy quinoa salad 
• Healthy Red Quinoa Salad with Black Beans
• Quinoa stuffed peppers
• Sweet and savory quinoa and Brussels sprouts

Did you know that The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has declared that 2013 is The International Year of the Quinoa? So get cooking and celebrate the goodness of quinoa! And don’t forget to share your favorite quinoa recipes with the Recipes.ca community!