Cooking with HAPARI: Quinoa Recipes

Delicious, healthy recipes for the whole family!

(Image via Gotta Eat)

Today we’re featuring one of our favorite protein sources - Quinoa. This often mispronounced superfood — the correct way to pronounce it is “keen-wah” — is high in protein, gluten-free and is comprised of essential amino acids. Quinoa also contains iron, B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E and fiber. Whew! That’s a lot of goodness packed into the fluffy grains.

For today’s post, we’re showing you three of our favorite Quinoa recipes. Whether you’re looking to eat healthier or need alternative protein sources, try adding Quinoa to your diet.

#HAPARItip: if you love rice, use Quinoa in place of rice for a healthier alternative!

1. Delicious Quinoa Salad

Our first recipe comes to us from All Recipes. It’s a quick, easy Quinoa salad that’s jam-packed with nutrients. Check it out! (Image via All Recipes)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup olive oil
• 2 limes
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1-½ cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 (15 oz) can of black beans
• 5 green onions, finely chopped
• ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Pepper to taste

Directions:

Bring water to a boil, add quinoa. Turn heat to medium and let quinoa cook until water is absorbed. Combine olive oil, lime juice, salt, and red pepper flakes in a bowl. Whisk together to create a dressing. Add quinoa, tomatoes, black beans, and green onions to dressing mixture. Mix together. Stir in cilantro and season with black pepper. As an option, add chicken or other protein sources.

2. Quinoa Veggie Bowl

This recipe is a family favorite of mine. It’s healthy, tastes great, and adds veggies to a tasty quinoa bowl.  (Image via The Simple-Veganista)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup quinoa
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups green beans
• 2 cups broccoli
• 2 cups uncooked kale
• 1 package tofu
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ½ tablespoon soy sauce

Directions:

Cook quinoa per normal. In a separate pan, bring water to a boil. Add green beans. Let cook for 5 minutes. Take off and let cool. Spray a flat cooking sheet and add broccoli and kale. Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top. Bake in the oven for 8 minutes at 350 degrees. Stir fry tofu. Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Add soy sauce to taste. Enjoy!

3. Oat & Quinoa Cookies

Looking for a new way to add quinoa? Try making a dessert out of it. Yes, you read that correctly - you can make a tasty, delicious quinoa-inspired dessert. Check out the details below. (Image via Z Living)

• 1/2 cup gluten-free oat bran
• 1/4 cup gluten-free rolled oats
• 1/4 cup quinoa flakes
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup applesauce
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• Stevia to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine ingredients. Mix until a dough is created. Scoop the dough onto the cookie sheets. Flatten with the back of a wet fork and bake in the center of the oven for 13 - 15 minutes.

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