Quinoa- what am I doing wrong?!

1/4 cup uncooked quinoa is about 3/4 cup cooked.

Hi nanelleJA

I love quinoa too, and I can't seem to get enough of it or enough opportunities to experiment with it.
I think its a mistake to describe quinoa as 'low carb'. Compared to other grains it is high-protein. And I think that is where the confusion lies - some people 'high protein' as being 'low carb'. Quinoa expands (roughly) three times in volume. 1/3 - 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa per person. I use the absorption method of cooking quinoa.

I use quinoa an accompaniment to chilli beans or as an alternative to pasta. It could also be used as a base for a pilau or an alternative to buckwheat in tabouli.
Do let me know how you go with your culinary adventures with quinoa!
kind regards,

Ben

Quinoa isn't low carb, but it is high nutrition, so if you're looking for a "healthier" carb, quinoa is a good option. I like to cook mine with dried fruit in almond milk. Creamy and sweet!

I don't think it's got a ton of calories per serving. Maybe you are switching the cooked and uncooked portions when you are logging?

Hi nanelleJA

I love quinoa too, and I can't seem to get enough of it or enough opportunities to experiment with it.
I think its a mistake to describe quinoa as 'low carb'. Compared to other grains it is high-protein. And I think that is where the confusion lies - some people 'high protein' as being 'low carb'. Quinoa expands (roughly) three times in volume. 1/3 - 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa per person. I use the absorption method of cooking quinoa.

I use quinoa an accompaniment to chilli beans or as an alternative to pasta. It could also be used as a base for a pilau or an alternative to buckwheat in tabouli.
Do let me know how you go with your culinary adventures with quinoa!
kind regards,

Ben

Hey, Ben, have you ever tried quinoa for breakfast? I cook a big batch and then throw it in the fridge. In the morning, I'll heat it up in the microwave then throw in some greek yogurt. Sometimes it's vanilla greek yogurt and sometimes it's plain with a bit of powdered sugar mixed in. I love it that way! It's kind of like oatmeal as far as a hot breakfast on a cold winter morning (I live in Nebraska). Aside from that, all I've done with quinoa is quinoa cakes, which are made like crab cakes. I didn't like them by themselves so much, but the aioli that went with them made them quite palatable. Link to recipe below.

Best regards,
Erin

http://spoonforkbacon.com/2011/11/cheesy-quinoa-cakes/

Hi Erin,
That sounds fantastic. Its still a bit too warm to contemplate a hot breakfast down here in Tasmania. In the past I have cooked a quinoa porridge with soy milk and dates. I've just started a six-month course on eco-tourism guiding and I have six camps around the State, so I intend to take quinoa with me to use either in evening meals or breakfasts.
Thanks for the link - I'll check out the recipe. If I get time, I'll check out some of my recipes. I've got a great recipe book by a Turkish chef and from memory it includes a few good quinoa salads.
kind regards,

Ben