Quinoa

Quinoa is a grain containing many nutritional values not only for babies during the weaning period in particular but also for all family members. Quinoa seeds have a bitter shell that animals do not like to eat, so when growing quinoa, people do not need to use pesticides. That helps nursing mothers reduce their worries about pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals when using and makes quinoa one of the most trusted organic nuts used by nursing mothers. After harvesting, quinoa seeds are usually processed to remove the outer skin, which contains bitter saponins. Quinoa is cooked like rice and can be used in many dishes.

There are about 12 different types of quinoa, but the most common are white quinoa, black quinoa, and red quinoa. White quinoa has a milder, softer taste than the other two types of quinoa. When cooking baby porridge or cooking with rice, mothers should choose white quinoa because it is easier to eat and has a lighter taste. Quinoa contains 9% water, 70% glucid, 15% protein and 2.3% lipid (omega 3), fiber and many minerals, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, phosphorus and vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and vitamin C. The glucid content of Quinoa is similar to that of whole grains, but especially contains all the essential amino acids comparable to milk. Quinoa is also rich in minerals (calcium, magnesium and manganese), B vitamins, vitamin E and fiber, so it is very suitable for the immature digestive system of children. Quinoa contains nine important amino acids that are essential for muscle cell reproduction and nutrient absorption. The amount of protein in quinoa is essential in providing calcium (calcium) to the bones.

Some ways to prepare Quinoa for baby weaning:

• Lotus seed and quinoa milk: Soak quinoa for 2 hours. Soak fresh lotus seeds, remove lotus heart (dry lotus seeds soak for 2-3 hours). Wash the quinoa seeds thoroughly to remove the bitter taste. Put in the pot to cook for about 20-30 minutes, then add fresh lotus seeds to cook together (if the lotus seeds are dry, add them from the beginning). Simmer until the 2 seeds are fully cooked, grind them, filter the milk and give it to your baby to enjoy.
  
• Cooking porridge for babies: Wash the quinoa seeds to remove dirt, then soak for 2-3 hours until the seeds are soft and then mix with rice to cook porridge for babies. Mothers should try little by little in proportion and then gradually increase. For children who have eaten rice, cook it with crushed rice for your baby to eat like white rice every day, but the taste will be much stronger. When having porridge / Quinoa rice, mothers can mix other foods such as vegetables, meat (chicken, beef, pork ...), eggs and so on to supplement nutrition for children.
• Quinoa, Broccoli and Goby Porridge: Porridge cooked separately. Soak the quinoa for 3 hours, then change the water and simmer for 15 minutes to soften. Steamed goby cooked, remove the meat and then prepare with oil to make porridge fragrant and goby less fishy. Puree boiled broccoli. When the porridge is cooked, you bring the quinoa seeds and goby to a boil, then bring the broccoli to a boil, turn off the heat and scoop it out on a plate for your baby to enjoy.
• Quinoa mixed rice: Heat oil in a pan, lightly fry 1 cup of quinoa (200g), washed, drained, and chopped. Then, add 1.5 cups of water to the pan, cover and continue to simmer for about 15 minutes until the seeds are tender. Next you can mix in any vegetables you like. You finally have a healthy and delicious Quinoa.