June Staff Selection: Quinoa!

Our June Staff Selection was chosen by Nicole Benjamin:

So many grains, so little time. What's a girl to do?
Growing up in an Assyrian family hailing from Iran, rice was, without question, king. It still is one of my go-to comfort foods, but as I grew up, I learned the importance (and excitement) of playing the field. As of late, I've been spending a lot of time exploring the natural wonders of quinoa, courtesy of River River Farms. Quinoa was a staple of the ancient Incas, who referred to it as "the mother grain."
Makes perfect sense as it contains more protein than any other grain.
Furthermore, because it contains all 8 essential amino acids, it's a complete protein. And since the flavor is rather mellow (dare I say, bland), it's quite versatile & may be used in salads, baked goods, as a side, or even for breakfast. Plus, it's a suitable replacement for couscous, bulgur or...rice. Sweet! Summer is a great opportunity to play around with this mighty grain as it's a perfect accompaniment to whatever might be on the grill. See my suggested recipes and then let the creativity flow based on your own taste proclivities.
Rice River Farms is a fabulous, family-owned and family-oriented business headquartered in Spooner WI. We carry all 3 quinoa varieties that they offer - golden, black & red. The only difference is the color, so get your grain on and see where the exploration takes you.

Stop by the shops in June for 10% off Rice River Farms quinoa.

NOTE: Now we all know that grains must be rinsed prior to cooking.
This is an important and imperative step prior to cooking quinoa.
Quinoa seeds are coated with saponins, which are naturally-occurring plant chemicals that keep insects from eating the plant. Saponins left intact make for a very bitter taste, so definitely have a bowl or fine mesh strainer handy for rinsing. Here's more info & recipe ideas:

http://www.riceriverfarms.com/recipes/153