Here’s a recipe using whole grain red quinoa, though you could certainly use regular quinoa.

According to several nutrition experts, but most notably Sally Fallon of the Weston Price Foundation and author of Nourishing Traditions, grains should be soaked prior to cooking to increse digestibility and nutritent absorption.  I have to say I used to have a tough time digesting quinoa, which is a big blow to someone who doesn’t eat gluten.  However, since I’ve been soaking the grain, I have no problems.  You should note that even if you decide not to soak your quinoa you should make sure to rinse it thoroughly since there is a bitter coating on the outside of each grain called saponin which needs to be removed.  I soak my quinoa overnight.

From the western nutritional point of view, quinoa is very high in protein (16 %) and offers a complete profile of amino acids–just like animal protein!  From an eastern nutritional point of view quinoa is drying and warming and strengthens the kidney and heart.*

*Information sourced from The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia by Rebecca Wood.

Warm Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

1 cup dried quinoa, soaked

1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips

2 red onions, sliced into thin strips

3/4 cup dried currants

1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped or sliced

2 tbl olive oil

1 tbl red wine vinegar

2 tsp dried thyme

2 tbl capers

1 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

Instructions:

1.) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2.) Add three cups water to a pan and heat to boiling.  Add quinoa, bring back to a boil, reduce to simmer and cover.  Cook approximately 20 minutes.

3.) Meanwhile, take red pepper and onion, lay on a baking sheet or pan and coat with the olive oil.  Splash with red wine vinegar and sprinkle with thyme.  Mix everything well.  Roast onions and peppers for approximately 10 minutes, then check every few minutes or so until they are soft.  You can finish them off by broiling them for a couple of minutes if you want.

4.) Now add all ingredients together.  You shouldn’t need any extra seasoning since all of the ingredients are very flavorful, but you can add more red wine vinegar and thyme if it needs an extra something.  Serve warm.