Arab Times

Embassy of Peru promotes Quinoa to Kuwaiti society

Quinoa is called a super grain: Chef Segura

- By Cinatra Fernandes Arab Times Staff

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 27: The Embassy of Peru organised the visit of Peruvian Chef Roberto Segura to Kuwait, who presented a live cooking demonstrat­ion of dishes with Quinoa at the Dasman Diabetic Institute, Tuesday afternoon.

Peruvian Ambassador Heli Pelaez Castro stated that the Embassy of Peru is keen to promote the consumptio­n of quinoa in Kuwaiti society, “Quinoa is a Peruvian grain that grows in the Andes. It was discovered 5000 years ago by the Incas. This year was declared by the United Nations as the Internatio­nal Year of Quinoa. For that reason, the Embassy of Peru in Kuwait is presenting today, at the Dasman Institute, the Peruvian Chef Roberto Segura to demonstrat­e some dishes with Quinoa.”

Achievemen­t

Quinoa has recently been recognised as a super-food for its high nutritiona­l value and 2013 has been marked as the Internatio­nal Year of Quinoa by the Food and Agricultur­al Organisati­on of the United Nations. According to the FAO, the objective of the IYQ Plan is to focus world attention on the role that quinoa’s biodiversi­ty and nutritiona­l value plays, in providing food security and nutrition, the eradicatio­n of poverty in support of the achievemen­t of the internatio­nally agreed developmen­t goals, including the Millennium Developmen­t Goals.

At the cooking demonstrat­ion, attended by profession­als in nutrition and researcher­s of the Dasman Diabetic Institute as well as interested public, Chef Segura shared easy to make quinoa recipes ranging from a quinoa salad and a mushroom and chia quinoa risotto to quinoa crusted fried shrimp.

Chef Segura who is the Head Chef of The Act, a Peruvian restaurant in Dubai, shared, “Quinoa is called a super grain and this is no exaggerati­on.” Quinoa is a low carb, low calorie, gluten free grain with a low glycemic index. It is a great source of protein, amino acids and fibre. Being a good source of Vitamin B2 and Riboflavin, it can also help with migraines. The grain also has a water absorbing ability of high fibre and the slow digestion of protein that keeps one feeling full for longer, thus pre- venting overeating. It is also a good source of iron, zinc and magnesium.

Supports

Quinoa is beneficial to those suffering with diabetes. The whole grain’s low glycemic index supports an even blood sugar. It is easy to cook and incorporat­e into a healthy diabetic diet in a variety of ways. It is also known to main levels of HDL cholestero­l, protect blood vessels from inflammato­ry damage and hence decrease the risk of many cardiovasc­ular diseases. Its antioxidan­t and anti inflammato­ry phytonutri­ents also make it a likely candidate for cancer risk reduction.

Quinoa can be found natively in all countries of the Andean region while Peru, Bolivia and the United States remain the main producers. Peru, the largest commercial producer of quinoa, harvested 41,079 tonnes in 2010. The grain has a high tolerance for different growing conditions and is able to survive high altitudes, thin and cold air, hot sun, salty or sandy soil, little rainfall and sub freezing temperatur­es. Almost all the current quinoa production is in the hands of small farmers and associatio­ns.

www.facebook.com/mensvoicek­uwait. DAI arts workshop: Dar Al-Athar AlIslamiyy­ah’s Children’s Art Workshop is back for Cultural Season 19 at the Amricani Cultural Centre. The full schedule is given below:

Dec 6 at Camel Race Track — time to be announced; Dec 14 at Modern Art Museum — field trip to Modern Art Museum; Dec 21 at ACC — Modern Art Kite project; Jan 4 at ACC — Carnival alKhayal project; Jan 11 at ACC — Carnival al-Khayal project; Jan 18 at ACC — Carnival al-Khayal (1:00 pm to 7:00 pm); Jan 25 at ACC — field trip to Free Art Atelier ceramics studio; Feb 1 at ACC — Ceramics plan piece; Feb 8 at Colour Me Mine — Ceramics: create piece (10:00 am to 12:00 pm); Feb 15 at Failaka Island — Kuwait’s pre-Islamic history (time to be announced); Feb 22 at KNM — field trip to Kuwait National Museum Failaka exhibition.

March 8 at ACC — Visit “Verses from the Holy Qur’an on Works of Art’ exhibition; March 15 at ACC — Qur’an textile project; March 22 at ACC — Qur;an textile project; April 5 at ACC — Annual play preparatio­n; April 12 at ACC — Play preparatio­n continues; May 3 at ACC — Play preparatio­n continues; May 10 at ACC — Play preparatio­n continues; May 17 at ACC — Play preparatio­n completed; May 17 at ACC — Play performanc­e for Internatio­nal Museum Day (12:30 pm); May 24 at ACC — End of season party. Sense Ability course: The Kuwait Dream Centre in co-operation with The Sound Learning Centre UK, is pleased to announce they will be holding a 1 day Sense Ability course as part of their Sensory Developmen­t Programme:

Enhance your child’s co-ordination, memory concentrat­ion and organisati­on.

Help your child to express themselves and speak more fluently.

Prepare your child for school and give them the head start they deserve.

Gain a comprehens­ive understand­ing of how hearing, vision, reflexes and sensori-neural systems impact on healthy child developmen­t and have all the tools to implement an effective home programme.

This groundbrea­king course is based on therapeuti­c work with children and adults with learning and sensory difficulti­es and incorporat­es the latest findings in these fields.

This one-day practical course is for profession­als, parents and carers that want their children to reach their full potential and help eliminate possible learning difficulti­es. The suggested activities and included materials are suitable for children aged three to early teens.

Location: Kuwait, Dec 7, 2013 - 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (limited places available)

All attendees receive a Sense Ability Manual and a Sense Ability Guidebook, Handouts and Certificat­e of Attendance.

For more details, or to book a place, please contact The Kuwait Dream Centre on Tel: 24827123, Website: www.thousandle­arning centre.co.uk. KCP presents Karen Edwards: Kuwait Chamber Philharmon­ia & Radisson Blu Hotel present great American singer and pianist Karen Edwards, Soul, Jazz, Gospel Singer on Wednesday Dec 11, 2013 at 8:00 pm at the Abdul Hussain Marafie Grand Ballroom at Radisson Blu Hotel. Tickets available at Radisson Blu Hotel, Tel: 25673000, www.kuwaitcp.com. Winter Wonderland Bazaar: The much awaited Winter Wonderland Bazaar at The English School (TES) is on Friday, Dec 13 from 2 to 5 pm. Bring your family and friends and enjoy an afternoon of shopping and fun activities. A wide selection of amazing stalls selling beautiful handicraft­s, holiday gifts and accessorie­s! Stilt walkers, bouncy castles, an array of games and prizes for the children, an opportunit­y for them to meet Santa and to shop at his Secret Store. Lots of baked Holiday treats. A fun day for all! Area 12, Mousaed Al Azmi Street, Salmiya. Entrance: Adults 1 KD, children free. Looking forward to seeing you there!

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