Simple healing quinoa
A quick and simple recipe for when we feel the first symptoms of a cold or when we are already sick, want something healing, need to eat, don’t have much left in the fridge and don’t want to spend hours cooking.
Few almighty herbs and spices are the highlights of this dish, they have been chosen for their immune-boosting benefits.
Garlic and onions are well known allies in fighting off infections.
Garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties, onions are rich in quercetin, which is a powerful antioxidant.
Hot herbs and spices like ginger and red chili will get our circulation moving and boost our temperature to more effectively fight and get rid of bugs.
Ginger has been widely used for centuries as a healing medicine; a good source of vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, copper, and manganese, it contains many antioxidants, including gingerol, which have powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties.
In Ayurveda, ginger is considered to strengthen the immune system because it helps to cleanse our lymphatic system, preventing the accumulation of toxins that increase susceptibility to infections, especially in the respiratory system.
Finally, quinoa provides us with a good dose of proteins and fibre.
I am not a big fan of rice for its high heavy metals content, but if you don’t have any quinoa feel free to substitute with organic non GMO brown or wild rice. For this recipe I have used red quinoa, but again you can use normal quinoa instead. Make sure it’s organic 😉
Ingredients
1 cup of organic red quinoa
5-10 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
1 carrot
a good chunk of ginger, thinly sliced
½ tsp of red chili flakes or Cayenne pepper
1 tsp organic cold pressed coconut oil
2 cups of vegetable broth or water
How to
Melt the coconut oil in a pan over low heat, add the onion and red chili flakes and gently stir for few minutes.
Add garlic and ginger and keep stirring for a minute or so.
Add the quinoa and carrot, stir for few seconds, and add the broth/water.
Cover the pan with a lid and bring to the boil.
Gently simmer for 10-15 minutes, until the quinoa has absorbed all the liquid and is ready.
You can also sprinkle some freshly chopped cilantro on top.
Enjoy!
