Native to Andes Mountains, Quinoa is a rich source of protein and a valuable food especially in a vegan diet. Quinoa is eaten in various ways but I prefer to use sprouted quinoa as it is full of nutrients and rich source of nine essential amino acids. Using sprouted quinoa is very easy and beneficial. This plant-derived food is gluten free and thus a safe food for people suffering with celiac disease.

Many people use the quinoa seeds in preparing quinoa flour while some boil the seeds and use it in place of rice. Not just as a substitute for rice and flour, there are other prevalent uses of sprouted quinoa as well.

There are various ways to use sprouted quinoa. You can make various tasty and nutritious dishes by using sprouted quinoa. By using sprouted quinoa your body gets enriched with magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and vitamin C and E, so it’s very beneficial to use sprouted quinoa.

To use sprouted quinoa you first have to sprout the quinoa seeds by soaking them in water. Take 1/3 cup of quinoa seeds in a bowl and soak them in 3 cups of water for 2 to 4 hours. After 4 hours drain and rinse the seeds and repeat this process twice a day for 4 days. You will soon find 1 inch long sprouts. As the 1 inch long sprout appears, keep them near the window so that chlorophyll develops in them and you get green colored, fresh quinoa sprouts.

You can eat raw sproted quinoa as snacks; else there are various recipes to use sprouted quinoa in salads, soups, stews and sandwiches. Using sprouted quinoa in making salad is a very good and healthy option. You can sprinkle sprouted quinoa on vegetable salad that already has cucumbers, tomatoes and radishes. You can also use sprouted quinoa in omelets and use it as a garnish in stews and soups.

I use sprouted quinoa as an ingredient of vegetable wraps. Adding handful of sprouted quinoa along with onions, bell pepper, lettuce, mushrooms and tomatoes in a vegetable wrap makes the wrap more delicious and nutritious. Mashed sprouted quinoa can also be used as a pizza crust. You may want to check out a few recipe links too!

1. Spinach-Parmesan with Quinoa

2. Lemon herb organic Quinoa

You can also have sprouted quinoa breakfast by using them in vegetables and fruits juices or fruit smoothies. Mix quinoa seeds along with fruits and vegetables and blend them for a minute in a blender to have nutritious breakfast. I also fry the sprouted quinoa and eat it raw with salt sprinkled over them.

These were the simple ways to use sprouted quinoa and relish the taste of these appetizing seeds. Try them; they are not only delicious but a natural remedy to high blood pressure.

Image Credit: becomingrawvegan.blogspot.com