To Quinoa or Not To Quinoa... that is the question.

MILFaspirations

Hey guys and gals!!

So... anybody make and love or hate quinoa? Thoughts? Tips? Recipes to use with this non-grain grain.

Can you make it in a rice cooker, or is stove top better?

AirCircleI

I love it - much lighter than rice. I don't have any particular recipe, I just make up a batch or two a week and leave it in the fridge and then use it as a rice substitute as and when needed. I have made it in my rice cooker before - I find it comes out best being cooked at a lower heat for longer (which is why I make up a bunch to have on hand for quick reheating). Also, it is hard to get the volumne of water right - I recently tried 5:1 water to quinoa and although it seemed like loads of water, it came out nice and fluffy.

I also toast it a little bit before adding water, or if I want more flavour, using stock instead of water.

MILFaspirations

thanks definitely interesting!

I think I will buy some today!!!

Maybe I can add some cilantro, garlic, and lime to it and make it tasty

flibberdajibbitt

I'm not a HUGE fan of the flavour of it...so I tend to flavour the heck out of it. Just treat it like rice really...sometimes I add garlic/spinach/cherry tomatoes/basil to it. Can barely taste the quinoa that way haha

ashleyboyes

I actually just bought Quinoa this week for the first time as I am trying to cut down on my carbs. I got a recipe for Chicken balti which used Quinoa instead of rice.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/6303/spiced-chicken-balti

I also used it last night, I boiled it in chicken stock for 20mins (1 part Quinoa, 5 parts water), then drained and left for 10 mins to cool then I added sundried tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, raw red onion and seasoned then had it with salmon fillet, it was delicious and not bland at all.

Hope this helps - ENJOY!

TigerH34

I just started eating it and really like it, but it has a very distinct texture that is different from rice.

I like it with either real butter, salter, pepper, basil and garlic or just cover it with a little bit of natural honey.
I think both taste great.

sculley

We had some that was a roasted pepper and it was amazing I eat alot of that and coucus now.

nukehiker

been thinking of trying some , the only quinoa i see there are in the little flavored envelopes though. I may have to try another grocery store to find more pure versions.

ghettosmurf999

It's quite simply amazing. Can make it taste like whatever you want by cooking in stock, and if you want a quick accompnyment to some meat, you can just chuck some frozen veg in with it a minute or so before it's done and you have a meal.

Really, just amazing stuff

squishycow7

hmm.. I've had a box sitting in my cupboard for probably literally 3 years. I should probably use it up but I've been timid to try cooking it, since I honestly even mess up instant rice. haha

grapenutSF

i add lemon juice, olive oil, walnuts, sun dried tomatoes (optional), and edamame or peas. also like too cook it in broth.

heyghoge

i just wish it weren't so bleeping expensive.

eeebee

I always thought quinoa was considered a carb?

I love it, I dont eat enough of it in fact - but when I do make it, I make a kind of tabbouleh style quinoa accompaniment:

Chopped coranider/cilantro + parsley + mint + finely diced onion or scallions + lemon juice + cooled cooked quinoa

Add the following to the above for an amazing lunch or salad:

- Roasted butternut squash or sweet potato cubes + Greek yoghurt
- Cooked diced chicken + garlic + finely diced tomato
- Feta or goats cheese + roasted medley of red peppers, red onions and squash

MILFaspirations

yum! look what i found


Quinoa Pizza Bites
Makes ~40 bites
2 cups cooked quinoa
2 large eggs
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup chopped pepperoni slices (~1/2 of a 7 oz bag)
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried crushed oregano
pizza sauce for dipping
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together all ingredients, except pizza sauce, in a medium mixing bowl.
3. Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each), and press down gently to compact.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Nutritional Information for 5 bites per My Fitness Pal: Calories - 175, Fat - 10g, Protein - 9g, Fiber - 2g, Calcium - 10mg
http://www.soveryblessed.com/2012/02/quinoa-pizza-bites.html

MinnieInMaine

I've only used it to make this recipe...kind of a weird texture IMHO but it's really good for you

Strawberry Quinoa Salad (Weight Watchers)
serves 4

1 C quinoa, rinsed
3 C whole strawberries, hulled (halved and quartered if large)
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and diced
½ C low-fat sesame-ginger salad dressing
1 5 oz container baby arugula salad blend

Cook quinoa according to package directions. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool completely, about 20 minutes. Stir in strawberries, cucumber, and ¼ C of the dressing. Combine salad blend and remaining ¼ C of dressing; toss to coat. Divide salad blend among 4 plates; top evenly with strawberry mixture. Yields 2 1/4 C per serving.

Lesa_Sass

I just jumped on the Quinoa train recently myself. I make one of my favorite couscous recipes with it. I do not measure so here is about what I use:


1.5 cups of dry quinoa that I cook
Zest of one lime and about a tablespoon of the juice (do not use the whole lime for juice, its too much)
1 cup of chopped cilantro.

YUM!

This will keep in the frig for days. Its about 155 calories per cup.

ghettosmurf999

i just wish it weren't so bleeping expensive.

This sounds stupid, but it's actually cheaper in the more upmarket shops - Ie. It's cheaper in Waitrose than it is in Tesco - because Tesco put it in the 'wholefoods' section and bump up the tag for being good for you, whereas waitrose it's just on the shelf with the rest of it.

BAMFMeredith

i just wish it weren't so bleeping expensive.

This sounds stupid, but it's actually cheaper in the more upmarket shops - Ie. It's cheaper in Waitrose than it is in Tesco - because Tesco put it in the 'wholefoods' section and bump up the tag for being good for you, whereas waitrose it's just on the shelf with the rest of it.

True. The good thing about it though, is that (like rice) you can get one bag of quinoa and it can last you a REALLY long time. I'm a HUGE fan of quinoa!

jutymo

I love it and use it a lot. I get a big bag at Costco for under $10. I use it in my homemade soups as a kind of noodle replacement. I just throw in a handful into the soup base and let it cook in that so it takes on the flavor of the soup. Don't put in TOO MUCH though or you'll have sauced quinoa instead of soup. It does expand as it cooks up.

I've got a fruit salad type recipe that I use it in as well. I know a lot of people think it's similar to cous-cous in that it's pretty bland on it's own. But I like it as a rice replacement, noodle replacement, base of fruit salad and it gives me some of that protein I always seem to be short on most days.

Kimmer2011

Love quinoa, but it is too expensive for me to get very often. I'm finding bulgur wheat to be a nice alternative.

mochaphobic

This sounds delicious! I have salmon in my fridge and this sounds like the perfect compliment.
Tina

I actually just bought Quinoa this week for the first time as I am trying to cut down on my carbs. I got a recipe for Chicken balti which used Quinoa instead of rice.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/6303/spiced-chicken-balti

I also used it last night, I boiled it in chicken stock for 20mins (1 part Quinoa, 5 parts water), then drained and left for 10 mins to cool then I added sundried tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, raw red onion and seasoned then had it with salmon fillet, it was delicious and not bland at all.

Hope this helps - ENJOY!

MILFaspirations

SO how many calories is it really?

for cooked?


someone said they rather not quinoa since it has so much more cals..

Lesa_Sass

SO how many calories is it really?

for cooked?


someone said they rather not quinoa since it has so much more cals..

What I am reading, cooked with out oil, it is around 155 calories a cup.

jillyt85

I make a quinoa taco soup that I love! Doesn't take long at all and you get loads of flavor and protein. I've also used it in stir fry. That was pretty awesome too.

heyghoge

i just wish it weren't so bleeping expensive.

This sounds stupid, but it's actually cheaper in the more upmarket shops - Ie. It's cheaper in Waitrose than it is in Tesco - because Tesco put it in the 'wholefoods' section and bump up the tag for being good for you, whereas waitrose it's just on the shelf with the rest of it.

alas, i'm in the usa, but that's a good tip! i've only been able to find it in one of those fancy organic foods markets and it was something like $5-6 a pound. man i'd rather have it be chock full of pesticides and half that price.

dance_fit

I love to add cooked quinoa to my chili recipes. It stretches the number of meals I can get out of one batch. I've even added it to canned veggie soup (when it was all I had) so I could get 2 servings out of one can (too much sodium otherwise).

I do a quick cold salad with it too using cucumber, cherry tomatoes, olives, red onion, any color pepper, chick peas and a small amount of feta (though, I leave off the cheese if I don't have it). A sprinkle of herbs, and a splash of balsamic and I think it's pretty tasty for a quick meal or side dish.

krislynn55

So this is the first time I have ever heard of quinoa... I looked it up online and it appears to come in many different forms.. Do I want to buy the quinoa flakes? I see they also make a quinoa pasta? Anyone have any insight as what I should buy for my first time trying it?

thank you

sarvissa

This recipe is absolutely amazing!!! I generally make it as a side dish, but could VERY easily be the main course, it is so filling. The recipe says it serves 10, and has 76 calories per serving. I would say if it was the main course, it could probably serve 4-5 people. It also stores amazingly well in the refrigerator for leftovers.

Ingredients
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup frozen corn kernels
2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
1.Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
2.Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes,
3.Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.

TigerH34

The pizza bites sound awesome!

mim100

You will love this versatile product! I've bought a book called Quinoa 365: The Everyday Superfood. I highly recommend it. Everything I've tried, I've liked. Also, it's a complete protein so there's no worry about trying to combine beans/rice, beans/veggies, etc.

katie133

I like to make patties out of them... I cook my quinoa, add in whatever i like, but my favourite is a can of tuna, an egg, a little bit of bread crumbs, green onion,garlic.. and then i form them into patties and cook them in a pan with a little bit of olive oil.. pam works as well