Quinoa: New Superfood

If you're in the maintenance part of the hCG diet, you're probably looking for new healthy foods and recipes. If it's been more than two weeks since you've stopped your pill, you can eat carbs again, in moderation.

A great grain to try is Quinoa. It's popular right now, AND it has all the essential amino acids that are found in meat so it's a complete protein. To boot, it's gluten free.

The Contra Costa times ran four recipes that use Quinoa on January 12th. I'll reproduce them here one recipe at a time.

Quinoa Pilaf with Lemon and Thyme

Serves 6

1 onion, minced

1 teaspoon olive oil

Salt and pepper

1½ cups quinoa, rinsed and dried on a towel

1¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon minced fresh thyme or ¼ teaspoon dried

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, basil, cilantro or scallions

1. Combine the onion, oil and ¼ teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Cover and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened, 8 to 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the quinoa, increase the heat to medium, and cook, stirring often, until the quinoa is lightly toasted and aromatic, about 5 minutes. Stir in the broth, lemon zest and thyme and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the quinoa is transparent and tender, 16-18 minutes.

3. Remove the pot from the heat, lay a clean folded kitchen towel across the top of the pot and replace the lid. Let sit for 10 minutes, then fluff the quinoa with a fork. Stir in the lemon juice and fresh parsley or herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve.

-- "America's Test Kitchen's Healthy Family" (America's Test Kitchen, 528 pp., $34.95)

Per ¾"'cup serving: 170 calories, 3.5 g fat (0 saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 30 g carbohydrates,