Is Quinoa worth it? And how do I make it tasty?!

madeleinedun11

Hi All,

Happy Friday!
I'm having some tasty oven roast veggies tonight for dinner, but I have this bag of Quinoa in my cupboard that I purchased weeks ago with good intentions...and now it stares at me in a threatening kind of way from the back of the pantry!

It knows I haven't opened or enjoyed it's benefits yet!

After a very "fruity" week - my body is crying out for savoury and I wondered if Quinoa was A) worth it and how to make it tasty!?

Thanks lovely world of MFP! xx

chickenpoppa

bump

GorillaNJ

I really enjoy Quinoa, especially if I toss it in with some stir fried veggies and some soy sauce.

madeleinedun11

I really enjoy Quinoa, especially if I toss it in with some stir fried veggies and some soy sauce.

- How long does it take to cook? It sounds like a good idea and I have Soy Sauce... I hope it's worth it!

spaingirl2011

One of the things I love to do is make what I call "Quinoa Risotto". I saute some garlic and onions in a pan with 1tbsp of olive oil. Then I add the quinoa and toast that for a minute. Then I add chicken broth (2 parts broth to 1 part quinoa) and tomato sauce. I add whatever spices and veggies I want and let it simmer. In the last 3 minutes of cooking (when most of the liquid is gone and the quinoa is cooked), I add some cheese. It's fantastic and makes for a tasty lunch or next night dinner.... and the leftovers only get tastier!

GorillaNJ

I like to make it in my rice cooker... takes about 20-25 minutes in there for a cup of it. I figure it takes about that much time done in a pot too.

I cook up the stir fry and at the last second throw in the Quinoa and toss it making sure to get all the juices to soak into it.

Another think I like to do with it, is substitute it for rice when I make stuffed peppers.

madeleinedun11

Wow that sounds delicious! x

fteale

I've had a bag of quinoa in the cupboard for a year now. It's rank.

Riles713

Definitely worth it. Quinoa is so yummy and versatile. I make a quiona salad at the beginning of the week and it's a quick lunch or side dish- easy to pack for work. I cook the quinoa and mix with some chopped jicama, celery, olives, olive oil, salt, pepper, and cilantro-- or whatever you have in the pantry. I even add some canned beans (rinsed and drained) with some fresh tomato for a complete meal. Yum!

autumnk921

I have been searching for quinoa recipes on here as well b/c I have the same issue...Bag that has not been opened since I bought it weeks ago....I am going to try it soon but here are a couple of links to help:


http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/529408-quinoa-what-is-your-favorite-recipe

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/549182-quinoa-omg


ETA: Extra link...

chrishgt4

Just substitute it in for whenever you would use rice.

Another to try is buckwheat pasta instead of wholemeal or whatever.

daniflems

My first taste of Quinoa came from a friend who makes a delicious cold sald with it. Small grape tomatoes....cucumber....chopped green pepper and onion...black olives....feta cheese....and some kind of oil dressing that I never figured out!! It was sooooo good!!

madeleinedun11

These all sound great!
I'm going to break into the packet this evening and get on it! It sounds great for salad but in the UK it's stew and casserole weather rather than tasty salads!

The risotto sounds awesome, I never usually eat rice as I decided to kick carbs to the curb...however It would be good with chicken stock and some veggies!

I'm hungry thinking about it!

Is it now the wrong time to ask how to make cous cous not taste like sand?... when i'm out its incredible...at home it's bland!

kstrunk1

Hi All,

Happy Friday!
I'm having some tasty oven roast veggies tonight for dinner, but I have this bag of Quinoa in my cupboard that I purchased weeks ago with good intentions...and now it stares at me in a threatening kind of way from the back of the pantry!

It knows I haven't opened or enjoyed it's benefits yet!

After a very "fruity" week - my body is crying out for savoury and I wondered if Quinoa was A) worth it and how to make it tasty!?

Thanks lovely world of MFP! xx

Hi! Have you ever been on the site pinterest.com? There are tons of amazing quinoa recipes in there from salads to burgers. It's free to sign up and then just use the search button and type in quinoa.

rugbygirlca

I could eat quinoa for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For breakfast, I sometimes eat it like oatmeal - warm, with a handful of berries, some milk and perhaps a drizzle of maple syrup
For lunch, I often make a quinoa salad for the week. It's fairly random what goes in. This week's was black beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, green onions with a lime, chili, dressing (small amount of olive oil).
For dinner, I often eat it plain as a side dish instead of rice or couscous.

Normally, to cook it, I follow the directions on the package. I find that each brand is a bit different in the way that they suggest it be prepared.

Last week, however, I came across a different method of cooking it and I am forever converted. It is requires a TINY bit more effort, but it was sooooooooooooooooooooo worth it. It came out really light and fluffy.

I put about 3 cups water in a pot, brought it to a boil and added 1 cup quinoa. Boiled it for 10 minutes. Strained the quinoa in a sieve. Put about 1" water back in the original pot and put the strainer across the top of the pot. I covered the quinoa in the strainer with a clean tea towel (folded up) and then covered it with a lid (apparently doesn't have to fit well). I then steamed the quinoa for another 10 minutes. Let it stand, covered for 5 min. It seems like a big production, but it doesn't take a minute longer - all you're doing is straining midway though. Soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good. Will do this from now one.

JanetJonesStinson

You definately want to try out Pinterest.com. It's an amazing bulletin board for ideas, recipes, etc.

mishkat

Bump


I may actually buy some quinoa next time and give one of these ideas a try.

madeleinedun11

Pininterest sounds interesting...roll on 5:30pm!

How much is a "cup" in the UK? xx

DeeVanderbles

I made some cheesy quinoa bites once and I didn't really like them. Too much carrot flavor and not enough cheese. However, I did eat some of the quinoa by itself, plain, before I tossed all the other ingredients in and it was really good.

Like others, I'd suggest using it anywhere you'd use rice.

bcattoes

Pininterest sounds interesting...roll on 5:30pm!

How much is a "cup" in the UK? xx

For oats the conversion is 1 cup = 85 grams, so I think that would be about the same for quinoa.

edbales

I like to make a cold salad with quinoa. I rinse the quinoa and then cook it in the rice cooker. While it is cooking I chop veggies --red pepper, corn kernels, minced onion, etc. I rinse and drain a can of black beans. When the quinoa is done I mix it with the veggies and then add a cilantro/lime vinagrette (lime juice, honey, olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped cilantro). You can eat it warm, but it is good after it has been stored in the fridge as well.

divalivious

I love it.
I usually cook mine in chicken broth or will do a cup of broth and cup of water type thing. Or water with a splash of teriyaki in it if I am going to have it with a teriyaki stirfry.

I store mine in the fridge and have never had an issue with it turning.

Normally I soak it for 10-15mins, rince and then add double the water or broth to the amount of quinoa bring to boil and then turn down and simmer for 15 mins or even turn off . Leave covered.

This site has how to cook it
http://www.quinoa.net/181.html

The pilf recipe is AMAZING. Its a massive amount so I altered it so that I do 1-2 cups of quinoa and then all the veggies.

This recipe is AWESOME as well
http://therealbliss.com/2011/07/22/quinoa-and-spinach-stuffed-chicken-breasts/

I have done just the spinach quinoa on its one and its delicious.
Also in a hurry I will forgo the stuffing of the chicken and just toss the chicken with cheese in the oven and make the quinoa and it still taste great. By the time the chicken is done cooking the qunoa is ready.

wwk10

What are the health benefits of Quinoa?

javagirl61

I saute onions, garlic, and almond slivers in olive oil or coconut oil. Add the Quinoa to toast up a bit too. If I'm making one cup of Quinoa then I use two cups liquid...made up of organic chicken stock, white wine and water. I'll then drop in a large bay leaf. I bring it up to a boil then reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes. When it's simmering I add a handful of raisens. Very tasty. Goes well with everything. Really good the next day in a salad too. Enjoy!

javagirl61

Health Benefits from Care2 website (http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-quinoa.html)

8 Health Benefits of Quinoa:

1. High quality protein with the nine essential amino acids, the protein balance is similar to milk. At 16.2 to 20 percent protein, it has is more protein than rice (7.5 percent), millet (9.9 percent) or wheat (14 percent).


2. Great source of riboflavin. Riboflavin has been shown to help reduce the frequency of attacks in migraine sufferers by improving the energy metabolism within the brain and muscle cells.


3. Inca warriors had more stamina and quicker recovery time by eating these quinoa seeds, making it a truly ancient powerfood.

4. Antiseptic. The saponins from quinoa are used to promote healing of skin injuries in South America.

5. Not fattening! Only 172 calories per 1/4 cup dry (24 of the calories from protein and only 12 from sugars, the rest are complex carbohydrates, fiber and healthy fats).

6. Gluten-free. Since it is not not related to wheat, or even a grain, it is gluten-free.

7. Alkaline-forming. Although it is not strongly alkaline-forming, it is comparable to wild rice, amaranth, and sprouted grains.


8. Smart Carb: It is a complex carbohydrate with a low glycemic index, so it won’t spike your blood sugar.


Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-health-benefits-of-quinoa.html#ixzz1yWkcsVDO

chickenpoppa

One of the things I love to do is make what I call "Quinoa Risotto". I saute some garlic and onions in a pan with 1tbsp of olive oil. Then I add the quinoa and toast that for a minute. Then I add chicken broth (2 parts broth to 1 part quinoa) and tomato sauce. I add whatever spices and veggies I want and let it simmer. In the last 3 minutes of cooking (when most of the liquid is gone and the quinoa is cooked), I add some cheese. It's fantastic and makes for a tasty lunch or next night dinner.... and the leftovers only get tastier!

this sounds amazing:-)

kajin1

I love quinoa. I cook it just like rice, but for a little longer. You can change the flavor depending on what you add to it. For something savory, try using boullion instead of water to cook it. It will take on the flavor of the boullion. For something sweet, cook it in water and then add some sweetner and raisins or nuts. Things like that. I treat it just like I would treat rice. Go an experiment and enjoy....

m60kaf

Pininterest sounds interesting...roll on 5:30pm!

How much is a "cup" in the UK? xx

A 'cup' is an excuse to overeat from what I can see

99clmsntgr

My wife and I made this last week, added about a pound raw-weight of grilled chicken then divided it up. It was a good dinner (and a couple lunches :happy:)

http://www.managercomplete.com/engine2/recipe.aspx?category=Dinner&id=44

(The website says the serving size is for one person, I don't think that's right. We divided it 4 ways with the chicken. If you can't get dried red beans, make sure you rinse the beans thoroughly or use something like Bush's reduced sodium variety. For how I built the recipe in the MFP recipe tool, it totaled 394 calories per serving, only 534 mg of sodium. Not bad...)

wellbert

Don't forget to wash it before cooking it.

lil_pulp

Definitely worth it; we love it!

One of our favorite ways to eat it: Quinoa Pilaf With Shredded Chicken -- easy and YUM! (Find it on allrecipes.com -- we usually have it without the chicken, but it's great either way.)