From the Kitchen of Dr. Bonnie Brock, NMD, RD, MPH
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1 cup cold water
- ¼ tsp tamari
- 3 Tbsp sesame oil
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chile pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup edamame
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, sliced
- 2 cups fresh or canned pineapple chunks
- 4 oz cashews, raw and unsalted
- 3 Tbsp tamari
- 3 Tbsp vegetable stock
- 1 Tbsp rice vinegar
- Lime for garnish
Directions:
- Combine quinoa, pineapple juice, water and tamari in medium pan. Place over high heat and bring to boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook until all liquid absorbed. Uncover and fluff with fork.
- Saute the scallions, garlic, chile pepper and ginger in sesame oil for 2 mins. Add the bell pepper and the edamame, cook until peppers soft. Add the basil, pineapple chunks, cashews and quinoa.
- In measuring cup, combine the tamari, vegetable stock and rice vinegar and pour over quinoa mixture in pan. Stir and saute for 5-10 mins.
- Serve immediately with lime wedges.
Testosterone Boosting Foods:
- Pineapple – In addition to being a good source of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, pineapple contains the natural enzyme bromelain. This proteolytic enzyme works as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-coagulant, so it is thought to help increase blood flow, sperm motility, count, and viability along with increasing levels of sex hormones like testosterone.
- Cashews – In addition to being a good source of essential fats, cashews are rich in zinc, an important mineral for cell division and increasing testosterone, sperm count and motility in men.
- Quinoa – Though quinoa is technically a gluten-free whole grain, it is also an excellent source of protein and fiber, with over 8 grams protein and 5 grams fiber per 1 cup cooked. This nutrition profile makes quinoa a low-glycemic food, meaning a food that digests slowly and will not cause a spike in blood sugar.
