Cooking with Quinoa

MAKING QUINOA: Add two cups of water and one cup of quinoa to a pan and put on high heat. When it comes to a boil, lower the heat to medium and cover. Cook for 12 minutes or until quinoa has absorbed all the water. Remove from heat, fluff, cover and let stand for 15 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Makes about 4 cups.

I throw in veggies to cook with the quinoa – parsley, green onions, shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, anything you wish.

RECIPE FOR QUINOA TABOULE

2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa

1 cup chopped parsley

½ cup chopped scallions

2 tbsp chopped fresh mint

1 garlic clove, minced and pressed

1 Tbs. minced fresh basil

½ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

¼ tsp. salt

1/8 tsp white pepper.

Bring together all ingredients. Chill for one hour or more to allow flavors to blend. Makes 6 servings.

The Jamaican Cuisine

One of the most under estimated tourist attraction in Jamaica is its cuisine. Although it is not as famous as many others such as Italian, French and Japanese it has its own little niche. I cannot recall hearing any visitor complaining about the Jamaican cuisine In fact more and more people are becoming big fans of Jamaican foods.

Most times the foods that are appealing to us are the types that we are use to.Our taste buds seem to more readily accept dishes that which the food preparation techniques are close to what we are familiar with.

The Jamaican cuisine is good enough to claim international fame and it is absolutely clear to that it is achievable.Our staples such as yam, green banana, plantain, dasheen, coco etc are versatile starches, and are quite malleable if the chefs and cooks apply more creativity.

Without any bias, I can categorically state that some internationally famous cuisines are a bit over-rated.I judged this on many dishes that I have had in what is generally accepted as top cuisines and it had left me to desire better.

A very important thing to remember is that a dish is as good as the chef. It doesn't matter how famous and good the cuisine is, the preparation makes all the difference.