Quinoa

Quinoa (pronounced “keen wa”).

This is becoming very popular although the Incas have been eating this as a staple food for thousands of years. Quinoa is actually a seed but is used like a grain. It has the highest protein content of all grains and it has a higher calcium content than milk. A great source of iron, B vitamins and vitamin E. It can be used in the exact same way and instead of rice or couscous, added to salads, you can buy it as a flour or as flakes (great as porridge) and it comes in white, red and black seeds for varying colour. Nutritionally and taste are the same. I am enjoying quinoa as much as possible in my vegetarian dishes for the extra protein and iron.