Native to Peru, quinoa (pronounced KEEN-WAH) is a dietary staple for many South Americans, but is virtually unheard of in the United States. Though it is usually thought of as a grain quinoa is actually the seed of a plant that is most closely related to the spinach, beet and chard family. Quinoa is slightly nutty in flavor and when cooked retains a bit of crunch. Apart from being tasty, it is a good source of protein and contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids.
This week we bring you a video featuring a savory quinoa recipe and one of Mark’s personal friends, Chef Oren. Enjoy!