QuinoArroz: A Rice Dish of Healthy Proportions

By Liliana Moyano for Shine Latina

QuinoArroz
QuinoArroz

Quinoa is a popular grain grown in the South American Andes that has gained popularity in the US over the past few years. It looks like couscous, and its preparation is very similar to that of the Middle Eastern grain. Besides being totally delicious, quinoa is high in fiber- great for keeping the digestive system balanced and healthy. These days it can be easily found at most supermarkets.

Mi tío Rafa, who's a practicing surgeon in Colombia and is always looking for ways to stay healthy, introduced me to this product about a year ago. My uncle even started incorporating the grain, mixed with the staple rice, into his patients' diets when he discovered its benefits. Last year he came to visit my family and bragged about the product so much that I ended up giving it a try.

QuinoArroz
QuinoArroz

First, I used it in a salad, and then eventually I learned how to use it in juices and with rice. I was delighted with the salad and the juices, but the rice mix didn't really win me over. My mother, who makes the best long grain rice ever, showed me a trick that turned my quinoa-rice recipe into a blue-ribbon winner. She adds a couple of drops of lime juice to the quinoa/rice blend before cooking it for 20 minutes. The lime opens up the grain producing the perfect Quinoarroz, ready to be enjoyed with a fish filet or the protein of your choice. So, vamos a cocinar…

Ingredients

Quinoarroz
Quinoarroz

(4 servings)

4 tablespoons olive oil
1 whole scallion
3 garlic cloves, whole
1 cup quinoa
1 cup long grain rice
2 cups water
¾ teaspoon sea salt
6 lime juice drops

Try this recipe with my crunchy tilapia

QuinoArroz
QuinoArroz

Directions
In a pot set over medium heat, add the olive oil, scallion and garlic cloves. Let the aroma emerge from the garlic and scallion for about 2 minutes. Next, add the quinoa, rice and water, and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook the mix until the water is almost evaporated.

When the mix is almost dry, add salt and lime juice, and stir one more time. Cover and let it cook for 20 minutes at low heat. Serve and enjoy!


Note:
If you cannot find quinoa at your supermarket, you can substitute it with couscous. Just follow the same recipe steps.

For content that speaks to you, visit Shine Latina