Quinoa
A tiny seed that eats like a grain — and it's a complete protein.
Why I love it
Light, fluffy and quick, it's the base of a hundred bowls and salads, and a warm breakfast cereal too. One of the few plant foods with all nine essential amino acids.
Buying it
Any color works — white is fluffiest, red and black hold their shape. Buy in bulk; it keeps for months.
Storing it
Dry in a sealed jar in the pantry; cooked, five days in the fridge and it freezes well. Cool it completely before storing.
Using it
Rinse first (it removes a bitter coating), then simmer 15 minutes for a fluffy base, a breakfast cereal, or a stuffing.
A little nutrition
A complete protein with fiber, magnesium and iron — and naturally gluten-free.
Always rinse quinoa before cooking — it has a natural coating (saponin) that tastes soapy if you skip it.