Quinoa flour is increasingly being used in organic breads.
Gluten-free cuisine foodies have found another white flour alternative in quinoa flour, the processed form of quinoa. This protein-rich flour is also an excellent choice for those looking for a more healthful twist on standard baked and pan-fried staples such as breads, pancakes and cookies. Quinoa flour must be mixed with wheat or rice flour for many typical yeast breads, but it can also stand on its own in tortillas and other thin flat-breads.
Instructions
1. Use quinoa flour as you would regular flour in sweet baked goods such as cookies and breakfast breads. To make a healthier version of banana bread, for example, substitute half of the regular all-purpose flour normally used with quinoa flour. Sift the quinoa flour in with an equal amount of wheat flour plus baking soda and baking powder before mixing with eggs, ripe bananas, plain yogurt and vanilla extract. Add chopped walnuts to the mixture and bake as you would regular banana bread, at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about one hour.
2. Use quinoa flour in pancake batter for a thicker, healthier take on the standard pancake. Sift with another less refined flour such as whole wheat or rice flour as well as baking powder and cornstarch. Add the dry mixture to milk, vegetable oil and eggs to complete the batter, then pour onto the griddle for quick-cooking, fluffy pancakes. Or use quinoa oil in dessert crepes for a similar taste, yet thinner texture.
3. Bake a batch of muffins with quinoa flour instead of the white variety for an added health boost. Sift with wheat or rice flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt before mixing with regular or almond butter, vegetable oil and honey or agave nectar to keep the muffins free of refined ingredients. Toss chopped walnuts, hazelnuts, blueberries, apricots or cranberries into the batter for added taste.
4. Replace the usual corn or wheat flour with quinoa flour to make highly filling and flavorful tortillas. In a large bowl, combine quinoa flour to a bit of baking powder, a pinch of salt, warm water and butter or margarine. Roll out the tortilla dough using a rolling pin, dusting with quinoa flour. Cook the tortillas with vegetable oil in a shallow pan over medium high heat until air pockets begin to rise in the cooking batter, then flip over and grill another minute or two more to finish.
Tags: quinoa flour, baking powder, with quinoa flour, rice flour, wheat rice, wheat rice flour