Grainydays Are Here to Stay

Cafes and restaurants are certainly getting creative with quinoa - and there’s no better time than now.

If you’re a health nut, you would probably know of the multiple benefits of quinoa (pronounced “keen-wah”) and already swopped out your white rice meals for this super-grain.

It’s full of protein and is gluten-free, low in calories and fat, prevents diabetes and hypertension, and can slow down the ageingprocess. It is also high in fibre, magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium and vitamins B and E.

The best part is: Quinoa can also taste incredibly delicious. When chefs take this nutritious grain and turn it into a burger or salad, or cook it with ingredients like you would rice, it becomes a fragrant and crunchytreat. Here are five dishes in Singapore that will turn you into a quinoa addict in no time.

1 QUINOA AND SPINACH HASH BROWN BURGER, $20

AFTERGLOW BY ANGLOW

24 Keong Saik Road, tel: 6224-8921.

Here’s food you can scarf down guilt-free. This romaine lettuce burger is packed with quinoa, spinach, goat’s cheese, rolled oats, egg and macadamia cheese sauce, and plated with a side of sweet potato wedges and coleslaw.

2 DATE, QUINOA AND COCONUT BIRCHER MUESLI, $15

TANJONG BEACH CLUB 120

Tanjong Beach Walk, tel: 9750-5323.

Beach food doesn’t always have to be associated with burgers and fries. Pop over to Tanjong Beach Club on the weekend for its healthy date, quinoa and coconut bircher muesli – served with raspberry and banana jam, almond and pecan clusters. Your bikini body will thank you for it.

3 QUINOA VEGGIE BURGER, $17

THE LIVING CAFE

779 Bukit Timah Road, tel: 6762-8029.

This delicious quinoa veggie burger is ideal for vegans or those looking to shed a few calories. Made with carrot, celery, spinach, bell pepper sauce, onion, mushrooms, basil, balsamic reduction and raw cashew mayo, it makes for a nourishing and flavourful brunch option.

4 POKE BOWLS, FROM $11.50

A POKE THEORY

27 Boon Tat Street (no phone number).

It serves healthy poke bowls with a lemon herb quinoa option for those who prefer a lighter and more refreshingbase. Its quinoa is prepared with chopped coriander and tossed through generous amounts of fresh lemon juice. Each bowl comes with punchy marinades and fish delicately topped with ikura, pickled mushrooms and an assortment of other fresh ingredients.

5 QUINOA GORENG, $16

RED BARON

45 Malan Road, tel: 6334-6734.

Inspired by nasi goreng, this sumptuous dish was developed for those who want a low-GIoption or lowcarb diet. The red quinoa is cooked in a house-made prawn paste sauce with chicken and shrimps, and topped with ikan bilis and a perfect sunny-side-up egg.