Why We Should Use More Quinoa in Recipes Part 2: Riboflavin

For every 1 cup in your quinoa recipes, you are receiving 0.396mg, or 23% of the daily recommended dose for a 2000 calorie diet. In this post we are going to discuss riboflavin, also known as B2. Like B1, riboflavin helps in the production of energy, but it also plays a key role in keeping the body healthy.

"Like the other B vitamins, it supports energy production by aiding in the metabolizing of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Vitamin B2 is also required for red blood cell formation and respiration, antibody production, and for regulating human growth and reproduction. It is essential for healthy skin, nails, hair growth and general good health, including regulating thyroid activity."

For the rest of the article on the benefits of riboflavin, check here.

Our recipe for today comes from canelaycomino.blogspot.com.

Quinoa Flan
From Nuestros Grandes Chefs – Teresa Izquierdo
Makes 8 (1-cup) ramekins

2 cups of cooked quinoa
1 3/4 cups of evaporated milk
7 eggs
1 1/2 cups of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 cup of sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Puree the cooked quinoa by adding the evaporated milk, little by little. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until they are a creamy yellow color. Add the condensed milk, the pureed quinoa and the vanilla. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined.

4. In a small pot or skillet, melt the sugar over a medium heat until it caramelizes. Divide the caramel between the ramekin cups and allow it to cool. Pour the quinoa mixture over the caramel. Cover each one with foil and place in a water bath inside the oven.

5. Bake at 350F for 45 minutes or just until set. Remove from the oven and allow the cool completely. Serve by running a knife around the side and loosening the mixture from the ramekin, turn over onto a plate and allow it to “fall.” I have found that with a day or two, it becomes even easier to remove them from the baking dish.

A great book to read on this subject is The Art of Cooking With Quinoa: A Complete Vegetable Protein.

Enjoy, and have a great day!