Quinoa Virgin

You can measure out the amount needed for your recipe, and fill pot with water and swirl it around to give it a good rinse. Most of them sink to the bottom and wont empty out into the sink when you drain it without a strainer. As long as most of the excess water is poured off you should be good.( I don't use a strainer).
If you google Quinoa recipe you'll be able to find all kinds that suit your taste buds...
Cook quinoa as per directions and add veggies to make a salad


My favorite way to have it is with Greek ingredients 1cup of each
chop cucumber with the peel in quarters cubes
grape tomatoes
chopped peppers any kind or all colors
1/2cup feta cheese cubes or crumbled
1/2 cup Black olives, your favorite ( I buy the bulk sundried ones with pits packed in olive oil)
use your favorite greek dressing (vinaigrette) (I like the Renee's mediteranian ) measure out 1/4 cup add a little at a time, until it looks coated. You don't want it too wet it will get soggy. Refridgerate for a couple hours to marinate the veggies... and to allow the quinoa to absorb all the greek flavours.
I love this salad,
Hope you find ways to use your quinoa. I also throw hand full into homemade soups, stews. chili. adds a lot of protein to the diet..

Interesting - I have never rinsed it, did not know you had to!

Just to be totally weird, but I put a tablespoonful of it in my porridge (left to cook slow on hob, not 2 min in microwave) and it gives a nice nutty flavour and a bit of texture. Bit like making rice pudding I guess.

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/quinoa

I've done a couple of recipes from the above. :O)

Interesting - I have never rinsed it, did not know you had to!

Just to be totally weird, but I put a tablespoonful of it in my porridge (left to cook slow on hob, not 2 min in microwave) and it gives a nice nutty flavour and a bit of texture. Bit like making rice pudding I guess.

Huh. I love quinoa, but I'd never thought of doing that. May have to try!

If you have a a Trader Joe's in your area you can get a 16 oz bag of organic white quinoa for $3.49
As far as eating it, this grain is top of the line for protein content. It takes on the flavor of what ever seasoning you use, much like tofu. The texture is like grits. cooking instruction are 2 parts water (or cooking liquid) to one part grain. I boil mine in vegetable broth, then I add it to some stir fried vegetable or sprinkle over a salad or you can eat it in replacement on your plate were you would have rice or potato. Happy exploration. There is more variety in grain, vegetables and fruits on planet earth than we have enough time to explore....http://bishop55.hubpages.com/hub/How-many-different-kinds-of-fruit-and-vegetables-are-there

cooks up just like rice, maybe even easier. 1 part quinao 2 parts liquid and then bring to boil high heat then lower for 13ish minutes. I've been finishing with olive oil and lemon zest, then add a few roasted cherry tomatoes.


quinao is very much a blank canvas that tastes good just by itself. use it to experiment

I like to eat it for breakfast (like oatmeal) after cooking in plain water (2 parts water - 1 part quinoa) in my rice cooker - I add some fresh blueberries or raspberries, sliced almonds and a sprinkle of stevia. It is yummy!

i actually dont rinse the quinoa i just cook it in water.

quinoa spinach patties:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/06/quinoa-and-spinach-patties.html

southwestern blackbean, quinoa and mango melody:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/08/southwestern-black-bean-quinoa-and.html

spinach and quinoa salad with grapefruit and avocado:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/03/spinach-and-quinoa-salad-with.html

quinoa risotto:
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/quinoa-risotto-525-pts.html

quinoa fried "rice":
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/02/quinoa-fried-rice-525-pts.html

also good with sauteed veggies (peppers, onions, mushrooms) and black beans with olive oil and spices (garlic and oregano)

Buffalo chicken Quinoa ("mac") and cheese has become a new comfort food.

http://iowagirleats.com/2012/03/07/buffalo-chicken-quinoa-mac-and-cheese/

Substitutions are fairly easy - and I've been known to add broccoli straight into the casserole rather than on the side.

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Quinoa Veggie Mini Lasagnas

Take any veggie filling lasagna recipe you like. Make as you choose. (I like to use red pepper flakes and a bit of roasted chili olive oil for spice.) - you can do this with ground beef or ground turkey as well if you prefer
Rinse, drain and cook as per package directions 1 cup of quinoa.
Mix quinoa in with veggie lasagna filling.
Take a package of Wonton Wrappers - in a sprayed muffin tin, in each cup layer Wrapper, cheese of choice,veggie quinoa mix. Rinse and repeat for 2-3 layers. Top with a wonton wrapper. spinkle with a touch of cheese if you like cheese on top.

Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes until wrappers are golden and cheese is melted.


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And pretty much 85% of the 365 days of Quinoa cookbook (quinoa cheesecake brownies...just saying).

bump for ideas - have had an unopened bag of quinoa in my pantry for a couple of months now

use it as a substitute for anywhere you would use rice or couscous or even in place of oatmeal in the morning.

bump

Bump.

Costco as mentioned earlier is usually your best bet for cheap. $10-15 per large bag last time I bought it a few years ago. Quinoa goes a long way.

I live in sask though and we have a local farm that grows it outside watrous. I prefer to buy from then instead so my prices may be wildly out of date.