When I sent out the call for quinoa contest sponsors, Pereg Gourmet Spices was the first to respond that they would participate.
Quinoa Mixes
Although they sell plain quinoa, I was most interested in their quinoa mixes.
Quinoa with Mushrooms (yes, that sounds like a diet I could live on), Quinoa with Vegetables, and Quinoa Italian Style look like the sort of mixes that could shave some time off your meal preparation on busy evenings.
Pereg has generously donated six 11 oz. quinoa mixes, two of each of the flavors, valued at $35.94.
Unfortunately, when I began this contest, I didn’t ask for samples for myself. Otherwise, I would be eating one of these mixes right now, and I could tell you how it tastes. What I can tell you is that the mixes include a lot of vegetables, many more than I am accustomed to seeing in prepared rice or pasta mixes. When you see Pereg quinoa mixes at your grocer, the clear packaging will show you what I mean.
Colorful Pilafs
I see lots of green herbs in the mix. The vegetable and Italian quinoa mixes will be very colorful dishes. The mushrooms, well, edible mushrooms struggle a bit with with color, don’t they?
Low Sodium
My favorite thing about these mixes is the sodium content.
My father had high blood pressure and diabetes, and he always complained about the volume of salt and sugar in prepared foods. He felt that food processors substituted salt for other more flavorful, but also more expensive, spices and seasonings.
I was so pleased to see that these quinoa mixes have between 240 and 290 mg of salt per serving. That may sound high, but it is about 1/3 of the sodium in popular packaged rice mixes and pilafs.
Use Less Salt to Prepare
Yes, the cooking instructions recommend adding 1 teaspoon of salt, but you have the option to use less if you choose to limit your sodium intake. My dad would be all over these mixes if he were still with us. I know I prefer adding salt to my own taste and don’t mind if that’s all I have to add to a dish.
These mixes are gluten free and kosher.
A third generation family owned business since 1905, Pereg Gourmet Spices offers a full range of spices and specialty food ingredients in addition to quinoa. Pereg products are available in stores and online.
Thank You
I want to thank Pereg Gourmet Spices for sponsoring this contest with their quinoa mixes. Now that we know what the packaging looks like, we are all more likely to see these mixes and try them ourselves.
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Wow. Quinoa with Mushrooms by Pereg is The Bomb. We keep vegetarian at home and my 7 yr old daughter had grown tired of sandwiches for her school lunches. I happened to see the QwM at Whole Foods and tried it out. We have had it quite a few times over the last two weeks. A few times with extra sauteed onions, carrots, and a pound of shitake mushrooms (sautee the veggies separate and add after quinoa steams for the 20 minutes). I put it in her little lunch thermos with some bread and butter, fruit, etc. Also, served it at a luncheon for the teachers last week – but have not heard yet how it was received.
I do have a question – would Pereg have to divulge if they added MSG to the mix? I don’t wish to know their secret recipe for “spices and seasonings” but would just want to know.
Thanks,
Amanda
Wow, I envy your daughter.
I do not know about the MSG, but I will follow up and see if I can get you an answer.