Quinoa, an ancient crop indigenous to South America, has been grown in the U.S. since the 1980s. Quinoa is not a grain but the seed of a plant related to Swiss chard, beets and spinach. High in protein, manganese and magnesium, quinoa makes a good side dish and stands in for rice or pasta in salads, pilafs and casseroles. Buying quinoa is easy when you know where to find it.
Step 1
Visit major supermarkets and look for boxed quinoa in the rice section. Buy it in this packaging the first time to get instructions on how to cook the product.
Step 2
Check your local health food stores for bulk bins. Bulk quinoa is usually less expensive than packaged.
Step 3
Order it online if you live in an area that does not regularly stock quinoa. Several purveyors offer bulk or packaged red, black and ivory versions. All offer the same nutrition and similar flavor -- the ivory version is most readily available.
Step 4
Explore your local warehouse store. Some carry large packages of name-brand quinoa at a discounted rate.
Tips and Warnings
- Before cooking quinoa, rinse it in cold water to remove the bitter saponins -- a coating on the outside of the seed. Although much American quinoa already has this coating removed, it takes only a moment to rinse the quinoa in a colander under cold water in case you do have unprocessed quinoa. Quinoa makes a distinctive salad ingredient. Toss cooked quinoa with black beans, chopped bell peppers, fresh corn kernels, diced grape tomatoes and fresh, chopped cilantro. Dress with a mixture of lime juice, cumin, salt and olive oil. Serve it on its own or as a companion to grilled chicken or flank steak.
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