#latinidadengrande

[smithsonianlvm]

Quinoa and Amaranth: Perú, Bolivia, México and the U.S., la comida de los dioses.

By Xánath Caraza. 

High in the Andes mountains on the islands of Amantaní and Taquile in the Peruvian alcove of Lake Titicaca, I clearly remember the first time I tasted quinoa.  It was almost twenty-two years ago when I discovered this nutritious food from the gods, as I like to call it.  It was really like suddenly opening a secret gate to my indigenous roots while surrounded by water at almost 4,000 meters, 13,000 feet, high.  I fell in love with its earthy taste and its soft yet crunchy texture.  It was both familiar and new simultaneously.

How important quinoa has been in the diet of South American peoples, both ancestral and contemporary cultures was amazing for me to learn about. Perú and Bolivia are two core countries where quinoa is central in original pre-Colombian diets, soups for example. The fact that quinoa has been found in Inca archaeological sites dating back more than 3,000 years is fascinating to me, and it fills me with a joyful sense of pride.  This superfood, as it is known nowadays, has been around for millennia without a doubt.  

Here in the US, we have the possibility of finding quinoa; claim it, and make it part of our diets.  There are many effortless preparations to cook quinoa.  Take it on the go for a healthful lunch or have it for a hearty dinner at home.  I especially enjoy having quinoa salad.  This refreshing dish is full of vegetables and naturally nutritious.

From my childhood in Mexico, one of the reasons why I fell in love with quinoa was because I was already in love with amaranth, similar to quinoa. Amaranth is another nutritious ancient indigenous superfood and from Mexico. For breakfast, I grew up having puffed amaranth sprinkled over yogurt and drizzled with honey.  I enjoyed this much more than boxed cereal.

For a special treat once in a while, I would have an alegría, similar to a granola bar and made from only amaranth and honey.  I used to buy alegrías from mobile food vendors with their folding wooden blue boxes filled with candy in the many colorful parks in Mexico.

Here in the US, amaranth is found in its natural state, and I have used it exactly as I have cooked quinoa.

Share with us your own recipes for quinoa or amaranth salad, soups or any other dishes you, cherished reader, prepare.  We would certainly love to hear your stories and enjoy your special recipes.  In the next post you will find my interpretation of quinoa salad.  Buen provecho.

📷Images by Xánath Caraza.

Follow the Smithsonian Latino Center on Instagram @slc_latino, the Smithsonian Latino Center Facebook page or via twitter @SLC_Latino. 

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Stay tuned as we follow Carmen Lomas Garza installing her #Ofrenda at the National Museum of American History. We will be streaming LIVE throughout the day via the #SLC_Ustream Channel #latinidadengrande #mylatinostory #dayofthedead

[draxochitlchavez-blog]

Transfronteriza Chicana Nidia Melissa Bautista closes out Smithsonian Latino Center Digital Outreach inaugural broadcast series "México de Hoy" by highlighting the social and political connections between Mexico and the U.S. Watch her interview on Ustream Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel. #latinidadengrande #mylatinostory #Starlatino #UcscLALS #UCSC (at La Casa Azul de Frida Kahlo y Diego Rivera)

[smithsonianlvm]

Quinoa Salad

Recipe by scholar and writer Xánath Caraza. 

Ingredients for cooking the quinoa:

1 cup quinoa 2 cups chicken broth A pinch salt A pinch pepper Half an onion, chopped 2 cloves of garlic, chopped Olive oil

Ingredients for salad with cooked quinoa:

1 diced tomato ¼ finely chopped onion ½ diced cucumber 1/3 cup diced carrot 1/3 cup diced bell pepper, any color, I like red 1/3 cup dried cranberries Any kind of nut, e.g. pecans Olive oil Apple cider vinegar Salt and pepper to taste Finely chopped fresh basil or cilantro or parsley or any fresh herb

To cook quinoa:

In a pan, heat the oil.  Add the chopped onion, then the 2 cloves of chopped garlic.  Next, add the quinoa, the chicken broth, salt and pepper to taste.  Let it boil; then reduce the temperature to low, cover the pan, and let the quinoa cook for about 20 minutes.

To prepare the salad:

In a large salad bowl, mix the diced tomato, the finely chopped onion, dice cucumber, diced carrot, diced bell pepper and dried cranberries or nuts.  Add olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

Once the quinoa is cooked, let it cool for about 15 minutes. Next, add the cooled quinoa to the vegetables and mix well.  To finish, add chopped herbs. You can always add more vegetables to taste. Lastly, enjoy la comida de los dioses!

📷Images by Xánath Caraza.

Follow the on Instagram @slc_latino, the Smithsonian Latino Center Facebook page or via twitter @SLC_Latino.

[lvmdayofdead]

Stay tuned as we follow Carmen Lomas Garza installing her #Ofrenda at the National Museum of American History. We will be streaming LIVE throughout the day via the #SLC_Ustream Channel #latinidadengrande #mylatinostory #dayofthedead

[lvmdayofdead]

#SLC_Latino Mobile Broadcast with #Chinamperos in Cuemanco, Xochimilco. Watch this important discussion about revitalization efforts of this agricultural practice and water ways. USTREAM Smithsonian Latino Center channel: www.ustream.tv/recorded/86340446 #environment #medioambiente #latinidadengrande #chinampas

[lvmdayofdead]

#Repost @xochitlch with @repostapp. ・・・ Transfronteriza Chicana Nidia Melissa Bautista closes out Smithsonian Latino Center Digital Outreach inaugural broadcast series "México de Hoy" by highlighting the social and political connections between Mexico and the U.S. Watch her interview on Smithsonian Latino Center Ustream channel. #latinidadengrande #mylatinostory #Starlatino #UcscLALS #UCSC

[lvmdayofdead]

#Repost @xochitlch with @repostapp. ・・・ "La Ciudad de México necesita las chinampas - es el pulmón del pueblo". Don José Genovevo Pérez Espinosa offers us an extensive discussion on Las Chinampas de Cuemanco Xochimilco on Ustream Smithsonian Latino Center channel #latinidadengrande #agricultural #water #medioambiental #Starlatino #chinampas

[draxochitlchavez-blog]

"La Ciudad de México necesita las chinampas - es el pulmón del pueblo". Don José Genovevo Pérez Espinosa an extensive discussion on Las Chinampas de Cuemanco Xochimilco on Ustream Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel #latinidadengrande #agricultural #water #medioambiental #Starlatino #chinampas (at Trajineras Cuemanco Xochimilco)

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#Repost @xochitlch with @repostapp. ・・・ Listen to Abuelita Amália Salas of Xochimilco in her interview about how roses can be used for healing, energy and balance - Ustream Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/86255914 #SmithsonianLatinoCenter #latinidadengrande #rosas #salud #armonizacion #Starlatino

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#Repost @xochitlch with @repostapp. ・・・ Miss our LIVE broadcast from Castillo de Chapultepec with Ballet Folklorico de México ? Check out Ustream Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel #SmithsonianLatinoCenter #digitaloutreach #latinidadengrande #Starlatino #Folklorico

[draxochitlchavez-blog]

Today Smithsonian Latino Center Digital Outreach will be spending time speaking with Chinamperos in Cuemanco, Xochimilco. Tune into this important discussion about revitalization efforts of this agricultural practice and water ways. USTREAM Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel 3:00pm. #environment #medioambiental #latinidadengrande #Starlatino # (at Trajineras Cuemanco Xochimilco)

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#Repost @xochitlch with @repostapp. ・・・ #Revolucionarias, Ballet Folklorico de México streaming LIVE from #Mexicocity on Ustream Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel! Join us!! #latinidadengrande #mylatinostory #Starlatino #SmithsonianLatinoCenter #digitaloutreach #Folklorico #Adelita

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#Repost @xochitlch with @repostapp. ・・・ Join us for a special broadcast from Castillo de Chapultepec with Maestra Viviana Amália Basanta Hernández de Ballet Folklorico de México #latinidadengrande #mylatinostory #Mexicocity

[draxochitlchavez-blog]

Listen to Abuelita Amália Salas of Xochimilco in her interview about how roses can be used for healing, energy and balance - Ustream Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel. #SmithsonianLatinoCenter #latinidadengrande #rosas #salud #armonizacion #Starlatino (at Xochimilco, Distrito Federal, Mexico)

[draxochitlchavez-blog]

Missed our LIVE broadcast from Castillo de Chapultepec with Ballet Folklorico de México ? Check out Ustream Smithsonian Latino Virtual Museum channel #SmithsonianLatinoCenter #digitaloutreach #latinidadengrande #Starlatino #Folklorico (at Castillo De Chapultepec, Cd. De México, D.F.)