Quinoa

I cook it and mix it with cubed avocado and spices. I cook 1c quinoa in 2c water. Simmer, covered for about 15-20 mins but keep an eye on it. Once it is cooked, I measure out 1 cup and add 1/2 an avocado that I've cubed. Then I mix it and add random spices. Usually garlic and onion powder, chili powder, black and red pepper, and a pinch of salt. Mix it all together and enjoy. It can be as spicy or unspicy as you like it. The heat from the quinoa makes the avocado slightly mushy and it's amazing together.

I've tried Quinoa stuffed peppers and Quinoa mac and cheese casserole so far. Both were good


Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients
- 3/4 cups uncooked quinoa
- 4 large red or yellow bell peppers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, sliced (about 1 cup)
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped, or 1 tsp dried
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black ground pepper
- 2 cups marinara sauce, for serving

Preparation
∙Preheat oven to 350°F.
∙In a small saucepan, bring 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Place the quinoa in a strainer and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Stir the quinoa into the boiling water, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes. Let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
∙Meanwhile, use a sharp paring knife to cut out the core from the peppers. Pull out any seeds and rinse the peppers inside and out. Place them cut side down on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high power until slightly softened, 3 to 4 minutes. Set aside to cool.
∙In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion, mushrooms, garlic, and crushed red pepper, if using. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden brown, about 8 minutes.
∙Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the zucchini, tomatoes, oregano, and salt and pepper and cook for about 2 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and remove the pan from the heat.
∙Place the peppers cut side up in a medium roasting pan. Spoon the filling into the peppers and fill the pan with water 1/2 inch deep. Bake until the peppers are tender and the top of the filling is lightly browned and crunchy, about 30 minutes.
∙Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the marinara over low heat. When the peppers are cooked, place one on each of four plates. Spoon the sauce alongside or on top and serve.
Makes 4 servings.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 1 hr
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins

Nutrition Facts
Number of Servings: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 297.9
Total Fat: 7.9 g
Sodium: 563.9 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 49.1 g
Protein: 9.7 g

Cook, once cooled add tomatoes, cucumber and feta, and an olive oil/vinegar dressing.

Cook, add apples and cinnamon.


What CAN'T you do with quinoa?

I like to add cooked quinoa, once cooled, to salads for protein and texture!
I took inspiration from the Leon Superfood Salad.
"The Original Leon Superfood Salad (Serves two)

2 tbsp quinoa
Salt and pepper
2–3 broccoli spears, cut into bite-sized florets, stalks sliced
120g frozen peas
Quarter cucumber, peeled,cut into slim batons
100g good-quality feta cheese, crumbled
1 handful of alfalfa sprouts
2 tbsp toasted seeds such as pumpkin, sesame and sunflower
½ avocado, cut into pieces
1 small handful of flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 small handful of mint, chopped
2 dsp lemon juice
4 dsp extra-virgin olive oil"
http://www.libertylondongirl.com/2009/10/19/the-original-leon-superfood-salad-from-the-leon-cookbook/

good inspiration here as well
http://www.yummly.com/recipes/quinoa-side-dish

whatever you do, make sure to rinse it first before you cook it! otherwise it will taste bitter. it makes all the difference.

If you like mexican..I've made a chipotle inspired quinoa dish, got the recipe from here: theshiksa.com/2012/05/.../quinoa-black-bean-burrito-bowls. turned out amazing! quinoa can taste really bland unless you add in spices, the lime juice and cilantro in this dish makes it so flavorful!

bump! love quinoa!

I cook in veggie broth with carrots, then add peas and a scrambled egg at the end (like fried rice). I also make sushi with it.

bump

Yummy! I adore quinoa! Being Bolivian, you can't help but love it since we're raised with it haha Here's a delicious recipe I found the other day I made it with cooked quinoa instead of the flakes he suggests, and it was soooooo tasty!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJKvSkz2pKc

Here is my written version of it for a quick glance:
Ingredients:

1 cup tuna
1 cup quinoa flakes
1/2 cup spring onions/scallions
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp garlic powder
salt & pepper to season
1 egg

-Basically just mix everything together, shape as patties, and pan fry

If you haven't tried it, I would especially suggest you try red quinoa--it tastes slightly less bitter than other varieties and has a nuttier flavor. I love adding it to salads or just flat out making it the focus of a salad--like adding chopped bell peppers, whatever veggies you've got lying around, and some lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. I'm not much of a recipe user (more of a holistic cook), but I think it pairs really well with citrus and something with some sweetness (like beets, yum) or creaminess to balance out the bitter flavor. I also like using it in place of rice in dishes for a protein boost--like vegetable curry over quinoa, or, my fav, quinoa sushi using quinoa in place of rice (though it doesn't stick as well as rice).