Quinoa Cake

Quinoa is a powerful Peruvian superfood from the high altitudes of the Andes Mountains. Due to its durability and versatility, quinoa has been recognized as an essential food source for NASA astronauts. The recipe below was inspired by the Sacred Valley Project, which is an organization dedicated to supporting the education of young girls within the Andean communities of Peru. Quinoa represents strength and power just like the young women of the Peruvian Andes.

QUINOA CAKE: Serves 9

• 2 cups of flour

• 1/2 cup of tapioca flour

• 3/4 cup of quinoa flour

• 2 tsp of baking powder

• 2.5 sticks of melted butter

• 1 1/4 cup of sugar

• 5 egg yolks

• 5 egg whites

• 2 1/2 cups of milk

• 2 tsp vanilla

• Powdered sugar for topping & quinoa seeds for the batter (optional)

  Sift the dry ingredients (flour + powder) a few times until smooth. Beat the butter and sugar until creamy, then add the egg yolks one at a time. Add the dry ingredients in small batches and then pour in the milk slowly. Mix and beat well.

  In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites with the vanilla until peaks form. Then gently fold it into the batter and throw in some quinoa seeds for good measure.

  Butter a pan, then pour in the batter and bake at 360 degrees for about 45 minutes. Serve with powdered sugar and enjoy.