Quinoa Lemongrass Coconut Milk

Quinoa cooked with Lemongrass and Coconut milk

I was introduced to quinoa a couple of years ago when my friends and I went to have lunch at Cheesecake Factory.  I ordered quinoa salad.  I hesitated when I placed the order.  However, I ordered it because I wanted to be cool.  I knew my friends would ask me what I  got.  The salad came with some fruits but no meat or protein.  Too bad I cannot recall what kind of dressing of it, but it was so good.  At that time I did not know what quinoa is.  I only knew it is supposed to be good for us but how?

Quinoa in a Rice Cooker

Quinoa in a Rice Cooker

Let's get to know about Quinoa

Quinoa is an ancient grain and originated from Peru, Columbia, Equador, Chile, and Bolivia.  Quinoa is a heart-healthy food with high nutrients.  Regarding a fat contain, it takes only 63 calories of quinoa provide 1 gram of fat and 350 calories of whole wheat for 1 gram of fat.  But fat in quinoa is a healthy fat which is monounsaturated fat (oleic acid) and a small amount of omega-3 fatty acid.  It is an excellent source of protein substitution.  Quinoa contains all nine essential amino acids which our body can produce, and it is gluten free.

Quinoa cooked with Lemongrass and Coconut milk

Eating quinoa instead of rice!

One day, my husband complained about eating brown rice as a side dish with Thai food almost all the time. He said he wanted potato or something else. I do not see how potato could go well with Thai food instead of rice until one day I saw a box of quinoa at a grocery store. It has a grain texture almost like rice. Hey! I think my problem is solved.
So long rice! No, I am kidding, but well for a while.

Quinoa cooked with Lemongrass and Coconut milk

I always wanted to cook rice with some herbs in it, but I have not had a chance to do it yet. Thus I decided to do my herb experiment with quinoa. I cooked quinoa with lemongrass and added some lite coconut milk in it. My kitchen smelled like lemongrass when the quinoa was cooking. After it had cooked, it came out tasty with a beautiful present. Quinoa lemongrass with coconut milk is perfect for my new side dish, and I hope everyone enjoys it like I did.

Quinoa cooked with Lemongrass and Coconut milk

Here is the recipe.