Blog

Here’s a photo (courtesy of www.Jinsey.com) of some of the tasty grain dishes I cooked up at my Whole Grains cooking class this past Monday night-quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) w/a cilantro pesto sauce and wild rice w/orange dressing.

Quinoa is actually an edible seed and considered a super grain by the Incas because of it’s abundant energy and vitality producing benefits. It has the highest source of protein of any of the grains really good for vegetarians), and it cooks up the quickest of any of the grains (about 15 minutes). And did you know that not only is cilantro a good digestive aid, but in Chinese folklore it was used in love potions because it was believed to be a natural aphrodisiac. Looking to spice up your love life? Serve up some quinoa w/cilantro pesto!

Wild rice is not really rice at all but rather a marsh grass that grows wild in the Great Lakes region and is cultivated commercially in California and the Midwest. This sweet tasting recipe is great served up hot or cold.

Here are the recipes from the cooking class. Enjoy!

Quinoa with Cilantro Pesto

Ingredients:

1 cup quinoa, rinsed 2 cups water 1 pinch sea salt 1/4 cup cilantro 1 inch ginger, peeled and minced ABOUT 1/2 cup olive oil ABOUT 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar Sea salt and black pepper to taste 1TBS butter 1 can black beans, (optional)

Directions: Bring quinoa and water to a boil over a high heat. Add a pinch of sea salt & butter. Lower the heat; cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes.

Meanwhile, pulse cilantro, ginger, olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a food processor or blender until smooth. Add sea salt and black pepper to taste.

Mix cooked quinoa with optional beans. Coat evenly with cilantro pesto. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Wild Rice w/Orange Dressing

1 ½ cups wild rice or wild rice blend 3 cups water Sea salt ¼ cup roasted walnuts, pecans or hazelnuts chopped 1 granny smith apple ½ cup diced roast turkey or chicken (optional) ¼ cup dried currants, raisins or sweetened cranberries 1 stalk celery

Rinse rice and soak for 20 minutes to several hours. Bring rice and water to a boil. Add pinch of sea salt, cover and simmer for 50-55 minutes. In a large bowl combine cooked wild rice, walnuts, diced apple, diced roast turkey optional), raisins and celery. Coat evenly w/orange dressing. Yields 4 servings.

Orange Dressing

Juice and zest of one orange 1/3 cup olive oil 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1/8-1/4 cup maple syrup ¼ tsp sea salt

Bring orange juice, zest, maple syrup and balsamic vinegar to a boil. Cook on medium/high heat 10-15 minutes, or until liquid is reduced by half. Combine w/olive oil.