In this modern-day and age, having a healthy and balanced meal is very important. As more and more people become aware of their health, it is important to know what to eat and what are some dishes that can be improved. Being able to have a delicious meal that is also good for your health is always the best. Allow me to introduce quinoa sushi! Quinoa sushi is the newest healthy sushi trend that you absolutely have to try. It is yummy, healthy and most important of all easy to make. Let us take a closer look at quinoa sushi and two delicious quinoa sushi recipes that you can easily make at home!

Healthy Sushi

Sushi is considered a rather healthy choice of food for many people. And the truth is it can be very healthy. However, sometimes those fancy and tasty ingredient filled sushi rolls can have very high calories. You’d be surprised by the number of calories in sushi rolls. That being said, there are always ways to make sushi even healthier than it already is. For example, the quinoa sushi replaces white rice with quinoa, thus reducing the number of carbohydrates in the sushi roll. Quinoa sushi not only reduces the carbohydrates but also increase the protein of the sushi roll. It is a great substitution for those of that are on a diet or have a more protein-based diet.

Quinoa Sushi: The Superfood

For those sushi lovers who are also health enthusiasts, quinoa sushi is an amazing choice. Quinoa sushi is a delightful meal with tons of protein and yumminess. With quinoa sushi, you can still have all fancy ingredients but feel less guilty for eating them compared to regular white rice. Let us take a closer look at all the benefits of eating quinoa sushi.

Quinoa Sushi’s Benefits

Quinoa has been around for a very long time in South American cuisine. However, it was until recent years that the rest of the world have discovered this amazing and nutritious grain. Quinoa is often known as the mother of grains.

• Nutritious: High in protein, fiber, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, copper, iron, zinc, potassium, vitamin B1, B2, B6, E, and calcium
• Non-GMO: usually quinoa are grown organically
• Gluten-free: Quinoa is a type of seed, however, it is viewed as whole-grain.
• Antioxidant: Inside quinoa, you can find plant antioxidant flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol)
• Can help you lose weight: due to high fiber, you might feel fuller and the high protein can increase metabolism and reduce appetite
• Low Glycemic Index: Glycemic index measures how quickly the food you ate raise your blood sugar level. Quinoa has a relatively low glycemic index, so it good for blood sugar control. But quinoa is can still have high carbs so it might not be the best choice for low carb diet.
• Increase Metabolic Health: With so many different nutrients included, it is no surprise that quinoa can improve metabolism.
• Easy to Incorporate: Quinoa is tasty and goes well with many different kinds of food. It is also rather easy to cook.

With all these beneficial factors, you definitely should try out quinoa sushi!

Quinoa Sushi Recipes: Simple and Easy

Now that we know about all the additional beneficial factors that quinoa sushi can bring, let us take a look at two delicious quinoa sushi recipes that you can easily make at home.

Quinoa Sushi = Protein Packed

This quinoa sushi recipe will leave you wanting more. The creamy quinoa and flavorful shrimp and crunchy veggies is a great choice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound of shrimps (peeled and deveined)
• 1 pack of nori sheets
• 1 ½ cup of cooked quinoa
• 1 julienned cucumber
• 1 julienned carrot
• Some baby Spinach
• Low-fat Mayonnaise
• Salt
• ½ Lemon (optional)

Let us make this yummy shrimp quinoa sushi!

1. Preheat the oven to 400F or 200C degree. Slightly spray the baking sheet with oil or nonstick spray, this way will prevent the shrimp from sticking to the baking sheet.
2. Place the shrimp onto the baking sheet and sprinkle some salt and then roast until pink (around 6~8 minutes). Drizzle on some lemon juice for extra flavors.
3. Mix around 2~3 Tablespoon of low-fat mayonnaise with the cooked quinoa for a creamier texture and stickiness.
4. Place the shiny side of the nori sheet on top of the bamboo rolling mat
5. Fill the ¾ of the nori sheet with quinoa, leave ¼ of nori empty on the top
6. Place a few baby spinach, 2 shrimp, carrots and cucumbers in the center of the quinoa rice
7. Wrap up the quinoa sushi, lift up the bottom and press down on the ingredients as you fold in the sushi. Once you reach the empty nori, dab with a bit of water to help stick together.
8. Repeat until you make enough quinoa sushi

That’s it! You just made delicious quinoa sushi!

Vegan Option

Let us take a look at vegan quinoa sushi!

Ingredients

• 2 Portobello mushrooms
• 1 Pack of nori sheets
• 1 cup of cooked quinoa
• A few scallions
• 1 julienned carrot
• 1 cup of rice vinegar
• 1 cup of sugar
• Olive Oil
• Soy Sauce
• Salt

Let us get started!

1. Preheat the oven to 400F or 200C degree.
2. Spray olive oil on both sides of the portobello mushroom and then place it the inside facing up
3. Drizzle soy sauce and then once oven-ready, roast for 10 minutes. When done, let it rest for another 10 minutes and then slices into long strips.
4. While roasting the portobello mushroom, get a small pot and heat up the rice vinegar and mix in sugar and 1 tablespoon of salt. Keep stirring until sugar is melted. Be careful not to boil the mixture. Once done let it cool.
5. Mix in the vinegar sauce with the quinoa to replicate the sushi rice taste.
6. Place the bamboo rolling mat with 1 sheet of nori (shiny side down)
7. Cover ¾ of the nori with quinoa and leave the top ¼ empty
8. Place the sliced portobello, scallions, and carrots in the center of the quinoa rice
9. Lift up the bottom of the nori with the bamboo mat and roll into the sushi while securing the ingredients.
10. Once the roll reaches the empty space, dab some water onto it and sticks the remaining nori onto the sushi roll.
11. Hurray! A delicious portobello vegan quinoa sushi roll is done! Repeat the step until you have enough quinoa sushi!

Let’s Enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed the two different styles quinoa sushi recipes above. Like sushi, you can be as creative as you want with the ingredients and their combinations. Quinoa sushi is a great option for those that want more nutrients to their food while enjoying a delicious meal. There are so many benefits of eating quinoa and including quinoa into sushi is just another fun and easy way to have a healthier diet. In addition, sushi is extremely easy to make. So what are you waiting for, have some quinoa sushi! Check out our other article for more fun and easy sushi recipes! Interested in making regular sushi? Well here is an article you should definitely check it out, making sushi rice like a pro.

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