Quinoa Virgin

2»

Replies

  • Thanks for all of these ideas. I was just talking about trying Quinoa this week. I have a lot of things to try now!
  • davidmulligan
    davidmulligan Posts: 7 Member
    Loaded Bowl (salad). I make it with chick peas instead of fava beans. http://www.whatrunslori.com/2010/08/the-loaded-bowl/
  • jlmuise25
    jlmuise25 Posts: 45 Member
    From all of the comments I see, you can basically do anything you want with it. I've had it in oatmeal, I've used it as a replacement for rice, I've put it in salads, etc. I was a quinoa virgin one time too, until my neighbor raved about how awesome it is. Keep us posted on what you like the most with it.
  • Supadoopafly
    Supadoopafly Posts: 248 Member
    I love tabbouleh, use quinoa in place of bulghur wheat. Also I make mine with corriander (salantro?) instead of parsley ... drool. Great with plain grilled fish

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/tabbouleh_91782
  • gracefika
    gracefika Posts: 13 Member
    sounds yummy!
  • Tanya949
    Tanya949 Posts: 604 Member
    I have never rinsed my quinoa, just add a bit of salt to the water and it does not taste bitter. I use it in casseroles with or in place of brown rice. I love the greek recipe at the top, I'm going to try that tomorrow. Oh, and cheesy quinoa patties, found on Pinterest are great for breakfast or snack.
  • gypsyone96
    gypsyone96 Posts: 61 Member
    i was a quinoa virgin until i had taboulli/taboulleh salad for the first time. it got me completely hooked on it and it's become a staple in my diet ever since!
  • SephiraRose
    SephiraRose Posts: 766 Member
    great recipes
  • Jenky85
    Jenky85 Posts: 190 Member
    I had quinoa for the first time last week and it was so good I'm eating it for dinner tonight!

    I cooked the quinoa as the pack said and set aside. I then fried onion and garlic in a tbsp of oil, added 1 roasted red pepper and 2 pepper dew peppers. I added a drop of water as didn't want anymore oil for calorie reasons. Then added some peas and cooked prawns before stirring the cooked quinoa back through and serve! Delicious and comes out about 570 calories for a big filling dinner.

    :)
  • lamps1303
    lamps1303 Posts: 432 Member
    I usually have it one of two ways:
    1) cooked like you would a risotto - in chicken/veg stock for 20-30mins with anything you want. I usually have chicken, peppers and courgette. Really quick recipe:
    - Fry an onion and garlic in a pan.
    - Chop a chicken/turkey breast and add to onions. Gently fry until no longer pink.
    - Add veg (You could skip step 2 if you want a veggie version)
    - Season and add any herbs/spices you want
    - Add quinoa and stock.
    - Simmer for 20-30 (until quinoa is cooked)

    2) Tuna quinoa salad - Plain cooked quinoa with tinned tuna, spinach, cucumber, tomatoes, roasted peppers, touch of mayo
  • willrun4bagels
    willrun4bagels Posts: 838 Member
    I don't rinse it.

    My favorite way to eat it is to cook it, let it cool, and serve it cold with diced tomato, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese. I've also stuffed bell peppers with some of that "quinoa salad " as I call it - and baked the peppers in the oven. Yum.
  • Resanzo
    Resanzo Posts: 10 Member
    Quinoa with Apricots and Pecans

    3 tablespoons chopped pecans
    2/3 cup quinoa
    2/3 cup orange juice
    2/3 cup water
    1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
    1/4 cup golden raisins
    2 green onions, finely chopped
    1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
    1 tablespoon lemon juice
    1 teaspoon olive oil
    1/2 teaspoon salt

    1. In small nonstick skillet, toast pecans over medium heat, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes or until lightly toasted. Tip onto a plate; let cool.

    2. Place quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer; rinse under cold running water 2 minutes. In medium saucepan, stir together quinoa, orange juice and water. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 12 to 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Transfer the quinoa to a large bowl. Add apricots, raisins, green onions, cilantro and toasted pecans. Stir in lemon juice, oil and salt.

    Makes 4 servings
  • Quinoa can often be found for much cheaper in the bulk food section at the grocery store, so if you find you like it check there to see if you can save a bit. I always put quinoa in with my rice to give the rice a boost. I put it in the rice cooker and put in for example 1/2 cup rice, 1/2 cup quinoa, 2 cups water. Great for anything that we eat rice with (stir fry, side dish, etc.)
  • Wow this one sounds good. I will have to try this one! Thanks for sharing. :)
  • Lesa_Sass
    Lesa_Sass Posts: 2,213 Member
    I've been dying to try quinoa for a long time but it's been a little out of my budget. I finally got a box and realized I have no idea what to do with it. I thought I'd use it in soups or stuffed peppers like barley but I thought maybe you guys would have some suggestions!

    Any awesome quinoa recipes for somebody who's never cooked with it?

    Also: How can I effectively rinse it without a strainer? I didn't realize I needed to rinse it and won't be able to get a strainer until next week. :C

    It does not need to be rinsed.

    I eat it as a side. I flavor the water with garlic powder, dried onion, or what ever I feel like. Cooking it in chicken broth is great too.

    You can use it for anything you would use rice in.

    It reheats rather well. I do a fantastic roasted vegetable and quinoa bowl with feta and pumpkin seeds that is out of this world. Here is the recipe and pictures:

    https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.593022150772364.1073741847.282449018496347&type=3
  • Brige2269
    Brige2269 Posts: 354 Member
    tag to yum later!
  • godsrose
    godsrose Posts: 96 Member
    bump
  • alltheweigh170
    alltheweigh170 Posts: 287 Member
    bump...some great ideas
  • Sunflwer3
    Sunflwer3 Posts: 68 Member
    Bump.
  • tnkitty
    tnkitty Posts: 78 Member
    I like to make a full batch of quinoa all at once, it keeps in the fridge for about a week. A quick meal I enjoy is heating up some shelled edamame in the microwave and putting it on top of warm quinoa. Just flavor with some salt and butter (I use Brummel and Brown). It's a very filling meal. :-)
  • mrsjobba2
    mrsjobba2 Posts: 81 Member
    Hi ,
    I've never used quinoa either - got a few questions

    - is it a grain - carbohydrate or protein?

    When you weigh it out how much do you use per person ( grams rather than cup as I'm in uk) & what's tha calories?

    Thank you - some of these reciepes sound yummy!
  • charliejenny
    charliejenny Posts: 79 Member
    Hey Mrs jobba....its all of them lol

    Anyway my favorite is boiling with chicken broth then scramble frying with egg white and veggies... It taste just like fried rice frombthe Chinese mmmmm
  • I like plain quinoa with dried cranberries or cherries and chopped walnuts.
  • jazchlo
    jazchlo Posts: 56 Member
    I have never tried this either, but I will be with these ideas!
  • SbetaK
    SbetaK Posts: 394 Member
    Found this on a blog site while reading a recent post for making healthy food on a budget.

    http://www.poorgirleatswell.com/2012/02/recipe-strawberry-banana-quinoa-muffins.html

    Love the idea that quinoa packs a lot of protein. Don't have any strawberries on hand but am going to make it with blueberries and bananas tonight.