Quinoa - anyone tried it?

Zara_Pi

Just come across a food called quinoa. Never heard of it before but apparently it's all protein and is a good substitute for rice.

I love my rice and bread, so need a substitute that's not high in carbs and this seems ideal.

Has anyone tried this?
What recipes have you used it in?

VintageFeline

If I want rice I'll just have rice. I'd say I'd use quinoa in more of a couscous sort of way. I've had it a few times, it's just another grain really, more to do with what you add to it. I do know some people who don't like the texture.

suruda

I tend to like it cold...especially with greek salad ingredients added....some diced red onion, cucumber, feta cheese, greek olives and a squeeze of lemon, makes a delicious quinoa salad. It's pronounced Keen-Wa btw. Maybe you knew that, but it doesn't spell at all how it sounds!

I've also made a black bean salad with it...added fresh corn, black beans, diced red peppers, lime...yum!

Try it, it's a nice change!

AllOutof_Bubblegum

Quinoa is delicious! Just rinse it really well before cooking it, it has a natural coating called saponin on the hulls that taste like soap of you don't wash it off. Prepare it the same way you prepare rice. You know it's done when the kernels turn translucent and the germ starts to curl off.

I cook it with chicken stock and use it as a substitute for any grain. It doesn't have a strong taste on its own, just a mild, nutty flavor. You can even prepare it as a sweet dish, like the same way you'd eat oatmeal, with brown sugar and fresh fruit!

amtyrell

Try it . I think it is delicious. I also like farro.

Zara_Pi

Thanks guys. I'll pop down to the supermarket tomorrow and buy some.

Gisel2015

Zara_Pi wrote: »

Just come across a food called quinoa. Never heard of it before but apparently it's all protein and is a good substitute for rice.

I love my rice and bread, so need a substitute that's not high in carbs and this seems ideal.

Has anyone tried this?
What recipes have you used it in?

Nope is not all protein is mostly all carbohydrate.

1) "Quinoa contains carbohydrates in each serving, some of which comes from fiber. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 30 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fat, 3 grams of dietary fiber and 5.5 grams of protein, according to “Savvy Vegetarian,” a website dedicated to healthy vegetarian choices.

2) Nutrition summary:
There are 374 calories in 100 grams of Quinoa.

Calories:374; Fat:5.8g; Carbs 68.9g; Protein:13.1g

Calorie breakdown: 13% fat, 75% carbs, 12% protein. "

RaeBeeBaby

Quinoa is delicious! However, as pointed out above it is a grain so contains carbohydrates. It does have more protein than the average white rice. I use it in all sorts of things, but my favorite is quinoa tabouli salad. Just substitute the quinoa instead of bulgur wheat. It's also gluten-free.

I always rinse it in a mesh strainer before cooking. It has a bitter coating that some people don't care for.

livingleanlivingclean

I don't eat foods I can't pronounce...

Natso29

http://damndelicious.net/2014/04/09/one-pan-mexican-quinoa/

SUCH a good and easy quinoa recipe (i substitute the cumin for Cajun spice because i don't like cumin). Yes it's carbs but when it's diluted with tons of veggies you're barely eating any quinoa. I make the above recipe but double the beans and peppers and then add a bunch of shredded chicken to it. Makes 8 meal prep containers at around 350 calories for a really filing meal ☺

Zara_Pi

Gisel2015 wrote: »

Zara_Pi wrote: »

Just come across a food called quinoa. Never heard of it before but apparently it's all protein and is a good substitute for rice.

I love my rice and bread, so need a substitute that's not high in carbs and this seems ideal.

Has anyone tried this?
What recipes have you used it in?

Nope is not all protein is mostly all carbohydrate.

1) "Quinoa contains carbohydrates in each serving, some of which comes from fiber. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 30 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fat, 3 grams of dietary fiber and 5.5 grams of protein, according to “Savvy Vegetarian,” a website dedicated to healthy vegetarian choices.

2) Nutrition summary:
There are 374 calories in 100 grams of Quinoa.

Calories:374; Fat:5.8g; Carbs 68.9g; Protein:13.1g

Calorie breakdown: 13% fat, 75% carbs, 12% protein. "

Good thing you pointed that out. I misunderstood the info below. It's not all protein as you've rightly said; but a complete protein.


"Unlike wheat or rice, quinoa is a complete protein - containing all eight of the essential amino acids. It has been recognised by the United Nations as a supercrop for its health benefits: packed with dietary fibre, phosphorus, magnesium and iron. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest. The facts suggest it is close to a perfect ingredient as you can get."

pdxwine

I love quinoa and farro.

jemhh

This recipe is really good. I usually make it with cherries and mango instead of the other berries listed.

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/06/20/high-protein-quinoa-almond-berry-salad/

nickiphillips1

I eat 1 cup of quinoa every day as part of my lunch.

Trader Joes sells frozen quinoa that you can heat up. Hyvee sells ready to eat quinoa.

Quinoa is sometimes called a super food. It has been known to reduce migraine headaches.

estherdragonbat

I have it on occasion in salads or pilafs.

rakowskidp

nickiphillips1 wrote: »

I eat 1 cup of quinoa every day as part of my lunch.

Trader Joes sells frozen quinoa that you can heat up. Hyvee sells ready to eat quinoa.

Quinoa is sometimes called a super food. It has been known to reduce migraine headaches.

I wish that were true. I eat a fair amount of quinoa and still have migraines.

Gisel2015

@jemhh
That recipe looks very good for the summer to go with chicken breast or a pork chop. I shall try it, and thank you for posting.
I need to add that I can't eat quinoa too often because I have diverticulosis and those little seeds can inflame my guts. I really don't like pain

jgnatca

Everything I might have has been said by others. It's a fine grain. You can get white, red and black quinoa. Three cheers for variety!

cbl40

It's good but very caloric for a small amount. I'd rather brown rice or sweet potatoes.

mjpree

Although quinoa (pronounced keen-wah) is often referred to as a grain, it is NOT a grain, but actually a SEED, and a member of the swiss chard family. I am allergic to many foods and eat it almost every day, usually for breakfast. I like the RED quinoa (Ancient Harvest) the best; 1/3 cup (dry) cooked (boiled) on the stovetop for about 15 minutes. I add Kerrygold (grass fed) butter, Himalayan salt, and cinnamon. If you cook it longer, it can get a little mushy and your body will process the carbs faster, meaning a quicker/higher blood sugar response, than if you undercook it and have it a little more "seedy" than mushy. I also use the red quinoa (just plain) as a rice substitute whenever needed.

I will sometimes have quinoa FLAKES (white), which cooks up more like a hot cereal similar to oatmeal, for breakfast. When using the flakes, I prepare it with a tablespoon of coconut oil, some coconut flakes, and chopped macadamia nuts. It is really good this way, but the flakes are more expensive.

I have found the price of quinoa varies greatly; the best price for red quinoa is about $4 at Walmart, and the flakes tend to be ridiculously priced at about $7+ a box at Publix when I can find it. Ancient Harvest brand of quinoa does not have to be rinsed as someone stated above because the saponins have already been removed; saponins are NOT good for your gut, so be sure to rinse, if the directions suggest it. Quinoa is an excellent source of fiber!

nvmomketo

Tried many years back. A few times. I still don't like it.

kwtilbury

Quinoa has more protein than rice, but as pointed out above, it's still majority carb. One of the main benefits of quinoa is that it's a complete protein - it contains a full spectrum of amino acids.

My experience has been is that it's not great as a standalone food, but good when mixed in with beans, meat, vegetables, etc.

Also, it's orders of magnitude more expensive than rice. The only way I can afford to buy it is in bulk at Costco.

AmandaDanceMore

I love quinoa and eat it quite a lot. I use it like I use rice or couscous, however it does have a nutty flavor, so you may have to adjust recipes a bit if you use it.

Taliafinch

I make a sloppy one pot vege sausage casserole and add rinsed Quinoa it absorbs the liquid and tastes great.

lilchefmelissa

I cook with it all the time at work. It works really good if making a tabbouleh or when making a vegan based stuffed pepper. The possibilities are endless.

brdoyle8

I like quinoa as well, but I also love whole grain brown rice. Similar macros. I agree with some above, quinoa is really good cold to me, I prefer rice in hot dishes.

Ketolover71

Zara_Pi wrote: »

Just come across a food called quinoa. Never heard of it before but apparently it's all protein and is a good substitute for rice.

I love my rice and bread, so need a substitute that's not high in carbs and this seems ideal.

Has anyone tried this?
What recipes have you used it in?

I find it best if you cook it in chicken broth. It adds a good flavor. Otherwise..blah.

JohnnyPenso

Been eating quinoa for a good decade now. Love it, far superior to rice in all ways for me. Haven't eaten rice at all since I discovered quinoa.

mjwarbeck

We eat it very frequently...often using the red or black versions instead of the standard. Also use amaranth a lot too...even more nutrious.

Primarily I use it in a pilaf. For example if I cook a Mediterranean style fish (ie with olives, capers and tomato) then I'll make add sautéed peppers and onion and herbs.

Also make a great quinoa chowder (from moose wood cookbook). Quinoa, chili, feta and spinach/arugula. Moorish!

We do add quinoa to our vegetarian Chili.

Add to salads....

JustTrackinIt

Its really good I buy it already prepared from the Central Market here in town sometimes. I don't know how to prepare it, but they make it in the food court and it is awesome.

Alatariel75

Rinse it, and then when you think you've rinsed it, rinse it again.

It's really good in minestrone.