Need some quinoa ideas, please!

mjterp · April 2013

Here are a bunch of snack ideas.

Onion Quinoa Bites
4 servings 274 calories

2 cups cooked quinoa
1 large onion, chopped
¼ cup cheddar cheese or Daiya (optional)
¼ cup chopped chives
¾ cup flour
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 eggs
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Canola oil, for cooking

1. In a medium bowl combine quinoa, cheese, onion and chives. Add flour, cayenne pepper and sea salt. Toss until coated.
2. Beat eggs and lemon juice together. Combine with quinoa mixture and mix well.
3. Form into small balls and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
4. Heat a large skillet to medium heat and coat well with oil. (Make sure you allow your skillet to get warm before adding quinoa) Cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until brown.

To make the dipping sauce combine 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream with 2 teaspoons minced garlic (more or less to taste), 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper and 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional). Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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 Calories - 175, Fat - 10g, Protein - 9g, Fiber - 2g, Calcium - 10mg, Carbs - 12g

Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Bites
Makes 24 bites

1 cup cooked quinoa
1 large egg
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped cooked chicken
1/4 cup buffalo sauce (we used Frank's)
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/2 tsp minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Ranch or Blue cheese dressing for dipping, if desired

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together all ingredients.
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 25-30 minutes.
Nutritional Information for 4 bites Calories - 109, Fiber - 1, Fat - 4, Protein - 8, Calcium - 6, Carbs - 11

Cheesy Quinoa Bites
Makes 28 bites

2 cups cooked quinoa
2 large eggs
1 cup shredded carrot
2 stalks green onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 Tbs all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together quinoa, carrot, egg, green onion, garlic, cilantro, cheese, flour, salt and pepper.
3. Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (1 heaping Tbs each).
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
Calories 130 for 4 bites.

Spinach Parmesan Quinoa Bites
Makes 30 bites

2 cups cooked quinoa
2 large eggs
2 cups baby spinach leaves, chopped
1 cup diced onion
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
Dash of sea salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients together.
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.

Ham & Cheese Quinoa Bites
Makes 3 dozen bites

2 cups cooked quinoa
2 eggs
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 cup diced onion
1 cup finely diced ham
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
3 Tbs fresh chives, chopped
1/2 cup panko
1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together all ingredients.
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.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Quinoa Bites
Makes 36 bites

2 cups cooked quinoa
2 large eggs
2 stalks green onion, diced
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
2 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried parsley
3/4 cup finely diced ham
3/4 cup finely chopped cooked chicken
1/2 tsp seasoning salt
1/4 tsp ground pepper

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients together 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 4 bites Calories - 131, Fiber - 1g, Fat - 6g, Protein - 10g, Calcium - 11g, Carbs - 9

Bumping for these and for all o fthe otehr AMAZING recipes!

shezzzzz · April 2013

My Fave....

Recipe is very forgiving

Homestyle Quinoa

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water

1/2 lb ground beef, or 1 pkg firm tofu
1 C or 1 Can chick peas
1/2 large onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red pepper, diced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
vegetable broth or wine for sauteeing
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (start with 1/8 teaspoon and add as you like)
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
salt to taste
Fresh Parsley, minced
Fresh Cilantro, minced

In a non-stick dutch oven, saute the onion, corn and garlic in veggie broth for
two-three minutes. If using beef, brown now, breaking it up with the spatula
as it cooks. (Use more broth as needed). Let this cook for about
five minutes while you prepare the quinoa:

Rinse the quinoa in cold water and drain. Bring the two cups water to
boil and add the quinoa. Cook 10-15 minutes, until quinoa has absorbed
the water and you can see the white germ ring.

While the quinoa is cooking, add the remaining ingredients (except the
spices) to the pan and stir while cooking. When the quinoa is
cooked, add it to the dutch oven and stir to combine. Add herbs and
spices and cook a few minutes more to soften the parsley. Taste and
re-spice as needed.

(I add a lot more cumin and cilantro, just my taste)