Quinoa - HELP?!

It's pretty easy to use it in any recipe you would use rice in, you can put it in casseroles if the little seed rings prove freaky, I make a Quinoa veggie salad that is just making pasta salad and substituting quinoa for the noodles. Mixed with rice it is less noticeably different so with my family I find it easier to sneak it in that way and get them some extra nutrients, lol. I made a "rice pudding" with it once that was pretty tasty, haven't tried making a tapioca/quinoa dessert instead of tapioca/rice which is what i used to do. Anyway, there's a few ideas.

Not a simple recipe (lots of ingredients, lots of dicing) but oh so good!!

http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/08/mango-and-black-bean-quinoa-salad.html

Also, consider using quinoa instead of spaghetti with traditional marinara/meat sauce. Quinoa is NOT a low calorie food but it's a super healthy food and won't spike your blood sugar.

One hint when cooking it..... always rinse it in cold/cool water first. Some say it can take on a bitter taste otherwise. Also it's about a 2 to 1 (water to dry quinoa) ratio when cooking. 1 cup of quinoa makes 3 cups cooked. Salt goes a long way with quinoa so go easy there.

You can pretty much take any rice or pasta recipe and use quinoa instead of the rice or pasta. My favorite way to it is cooking it in vegetable broth and seasonings (basil and tarragon are my favorites), then melting vegan cheese on it (like daiya brand, yum). You could use real cheese if you like that...or you can make it like a baked potato, sour cream and butter and bacon and green onions, etc...or make it like stir fry and add veggies and tofu (or meat)...it's very versatile and an excellent source of protein and all your amino acids. The instructions normally call for it to be cooked in water, but you can make it super delicious just by cooking it in something other than water...like broth...or watered down soup...or a water/wine mix...start with whatever flavors you like and go from there...

I love quinoa - I find it the easiest thing to make in my pantry right now. So here's what I do... simploy boil your quinoa in some chicken broth (you can use water, but the broth improves the taste). Then you saute some veggies - I use whatever I have laying around - mushrooms, eggplant, tomatoes, squash, okra, celery, etc. with some garlic. Once both of those are done, mix them together with some parmesan cheese. All done! You can also toast your quinoa before you boil it, it enhances the flavor a little, but it just depends on your time limit.

When making Quinoa make sure you rinse it in a mesh strainer first, there is a bitter coating on it that rinses off with water. Just rinse it under running water for a few minutes then cook it as directed.

I use it just like rice. I make Spanish/Mexican rice with it when serving tacos.

Do you like Thai/spicy stuff?

One of my favorite things, is cook the quinoa with a touch of coconut oil ( you can use olive oil too) in the water..along with a lil' chicken broth... and some thai chili garlic sauce/ green curry paste...and just because i like it... dried basil. LOL. If i have a sweet potato, i usually do half a serving of a cut thin sweet potato ( in the broth mix with the quinoa... i'm a microwave girl most of the time LOL ) , and half a serving of the quinoa...

Add some cooked chicken...and stir fry frozen veggies...( snap peas, onions, peppers, brocolli etc) ...

L O V E I T! SO tasty... it makes it kinda of like a thai inspired soup...and the flavors go great together!

I put it in EVERYTHING! Pasta, stir fry, burgers, sauces They are pretty yummy!

Could you give the quinoa/black bean burger recipe or post the link, please and thank you?

I just cooked quinoa for the first time tonight and it's soo yummy!! I cooked mine in chicken broth instead of water. I made a stir fry (mine consited of summer squash, onion, and pepper) then I mixed the 2 together. Eat as pie! And sooo yummy!

I tried this multi-grain stuff with brown rice, quinoa, rye, barley and oats and HATED it plain. Srsly gross. I was so pissed I was now committed to eating a full cup of it. Then in a stroke of brilliance I added a splash of white vinegar and some hot madras curry powder and it was AMAZING. I was sad when it was gone, lol. Planning on making more tomorrow.

Chop up any veggies, like tomato, celergy cucumber, green onions, peppers. Toss all in a huge bowl. Make quinoa according to directions, more on the drier side please. Once cold put in bowl. Add red wine vinegar, and olive oil to taste, put in spices of your choosing. Toss and let sit till next day. I usually make enough for the week! You also could use malt vinegar ect.

Hey, when I first saw that teeny tiny grain I was confused to. Had a girlfriend who said you can use it like a morning cereal with fruits. Or you can use it like a rice and add veggies to it. Just follow the directions and then when it is to sit for 5 minutes, add chopped mushroom, green onions, brocolli , or what ever good veggie to it. Add chicken broth to the water or beef broth, and serve it with stir frys or a side dish. Use it like you would rice and you are in the know.