Quinoa

This recipe is an accompaniment for Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Roasted Garlic Sauce .

Pronounced "keen-wah," this grain, native to South America, has been cultivated for more than 5,000 years. In fact, it is not a true grain at all, but a relative of spinach and Swiss Chard. Over the past 20 years, it has enjoyed a resurgence on plates across America. This might have to do with its nutty flavor or maybe the fact that it has more iron than other grain around and is a great source of vitamins, minerals, and protein.

Quinoa, though technically a seed in the herb category, has traditionally been considered a valuable member of the grain family. A sacred source of strength for the ancient Incas, it is enjoying as a new popularity here in the United States. The secret of the success of this salad is the steaming of the quinoa. (The traditonal cooking method for quinoa, boiling it in a measured amount of water, does not produce the light, fluffy texture that works so well in a salad.) This dish provides a complete protein and can stand alone as a luncheon or light supper entrée.

Quinoa, an ancient grain eaten by the Incas, is naturally coated with a bitter-tasting substance called saponin. But once the residue is rinsed away, you have a versatile, nutty-tasting grain that makes a fine alternative to rice and barley. For convenience, grill the bell peppers in this dish at the same time as the vegetables and beef for the main-course kebabs.

Postre de Quinoa Linda Bladholm's South American friend Lilian Zamorano gave us the recipe for this unusual but very tasty dessert. It's made with the ancient Peruvian grain quinoa, which is a common side dish at Peruvian restaurants. Active time: 10 min Start to finish: 1 1/4 hr

This vegetarian bowl is as colorful as it is hearty: brown rice and quinoa, roasted tofu and broccolini, avocado, cabbage slaw, and a turmeric-spiked dressing.

Stable enough to last days in the fridge (and hearty enough to sate a breastfeeding mom).

It doesn’t get easier than this salmon and shiitake mushroom mixed rice dish that comes together in a single pot. Don't forget the scallion seasoning sauce.

We want to drizzle everything with hot honey, and this radicchio, quinoa, and cotija salad is no exception.

This layered salad is a garden of textural delight with crisp Asian pear, creamy Greek yogurt, and a shower of quinoa.

The vegan patties in this burger recipe go straight from the mixing bowl to the grill without falling apart—all in about 20 minutes.

Hot tip: Make porridge on the weekend. Reheat this in the time it takes to make instant.

The ideal bring-to-your-friend's-dinner-party salad.

Including our favorite approach for cooking quinoa.