Quinoa pronounced-Keen Wah is known for its health quality's, eaten by the Ancient Aztecs thousands of years ago. It’s a bit like rice it needs plenty of flavour added to it or use as an alternative to rice with chillies and Curry's.

Preparation time: 15 minutes   Quantity: Serves 4   Cooking time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

600 ml/ 1 pint water/stock
300g/ 10 oz Quinoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
10 cherry tomatoes-quartered
1 medium red onion-finely diced
1/4 cucumber-finely diced
1 tablespoon lightly grilled/panfried pine nuts
30g/ 1 oz raisins
30g/ 1 oz chopped dried apricots
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons virgin olive oil
seasoning

Method

  • Bring the salted water/stock to the boil
  • Add the Quinoa and simmer for 10 minutes till soft
  • Drain -in to a sieve and refresh (run cold water over the Quinoa till cooled down)
  • Add all the prepared salad ingredients
  • Dress/toss in the oil, lemon and seasoning