What on earth is so great about quinoa

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Replies

  • veggieluvr45
    veggieluvr45 Posts: 27 Member
    All I know is I am allergic to it - throat closing up, tongue swelling allergic - and now it seems to be in every doggone thing. It seems if something is "multigrain" now, it has the stuff in it.
  • levitateme
    levitateme Posts: 999 Member
    I like the way it tastes. If you don't like the way it tastes, don't eat it I guess. "Superfoods" are 100% BS. Quinoa has awesome protein, fiber, etc, but it's not magic.

    It's really good in a cold salad with cucumber, tomato, onions, garlic, red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, pepper, parsley.
  • heybebe88
    heybebe88 Posts: 26 Member
    I think it's delicious! That being said, here's an easy to read infographic break down of the benefits of brown rice vs quinoa

    http://www.prevention.com/whats-healthier-quinoa-or-brown-rice
  • jkwolly
    jkwolly Posts: 3,049 Member
    I don't get the fuss either. It's pretty much the same calorie count as rice, and only slightly more protein - and no major difference in vitamins and minerals.
    I find it a lot less convinient, as it's so expensive (around here at least), takes longer to cook imo, doesn't suck up flavour as well as rice, so it would have to be a lot more nutritious for me to bother.

    I think it's just one of those foods that got a 'clean eating' reputation, so people assume it must be better in some way.

    What? Quinoa takes about 20 to 25 minutes total to cook. How long does your brown rice take?
    I was just going to say this....
  • Hell_Flower
    Hell_Flower Posts: 348 Member
    You know what I hate about it?

    That is used to be a staple food in Peru and Bolivia and now the middle-class Western obsession with it has driven the price right up and it is now not affordable in those countries for most of the working population there.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/quinoa-good-for-you--bad-for-bolivians-8675455.html

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/16/vegans-stomach-unpalatable-truth-quinoa

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/americas/20bolivia.html?_r=0
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    I have trouble digesting quinoa, but I do like it. However I actually think bulgur wheat is nicer in taste and texture.

    +1
  • MzOnree
    MzOnree Posts: 124 Member
    I had no idea what quinoa was or even how to pronounce it for a long time. I kept seeing it listed in diaries. I finally tried some and loved it! Just something different and new to add to my recipes. I enjoy the little pop the quinoa gives. It's like a party in my mouth! I like it warm or severed chilled as a salad.
  • lmann72
    lmann72 Posts: 82 Member
    It tastes even better if toasted with a little coconut oil and curry powder before cooked. You can also use half water and half chicken broth to give it a deeper flavor. The first time I tried it I didn't realize that you had to cook it after you toasted it. >_< BLECH!!
  • stephinpitts
    stephinpitts Posts: 33
    Ok but... 7g of protein for 180 calories? I'm just not getting how people can say that is 'high protein'.

    I bought some for a change, and I liked it though.

    It's not so much that it's "high" in protein, it's that it's a complete protein. Coincidentally it can be said to be "high in protein" for a plant.

    Here:
    http://www.builtlean.com/2012/10/03/complete-vs-incomplete-protein-sources/

    That's worth reading. Quinoa is a boon for anyone who is vegan, or any athlete who focuses on high protein but does not want to saturate their meals with meat.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    Quinoa is a seed rather than a grain, so the current trend to eat grain free is making it popular. Compared to rice, it has more protein, more fiber, fewer carbs, and significantly higher amounts of several important vitamins and minerals.

    You can use quinoa in the same ways that you use rice. Or use it instead of oats to make porridge. Or use it as a replacement for bulgar or wheat berries in a salad. There is also quinoa pasta that you can use in place of any other pasta. And I've seen numerous recipes for baked goods made with quinoa flour.

    THIS!

    I love quinoa.
  • phofilled
    phofilled Posts: 22
    I would really like to "love" this food, but, unfortunately I just cant enjoy it. I'm pretty sure it's the dry/grainy texture along with not soaking up flavor so much. I enjoy most food and it bothers me I don't like it. haha :p As far as nutrients... no doubt about the benefits.
  • oedipa_maas
    oedipa_maas Posts: 577 Member
    You know what I hate about it?

    That is used to be a staple food in Peru and Bolivia and now the middle-class Western obsession with it has driven the price right up and it is now not affordable in those countries for most of the working population there.

    http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/features/quinoa-good-for-you--bad-for-bolivians-8675455.html

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/jan/16/vegans-stomach-unpalatable-truth-quinoa

    http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/world/americas/20bolivia.html?_r=0

    I read an article about that. I think it's very important to be aware of issues like this when we're talking about food. I'm glad you brought this up.
  • stephinpitts
    stephinpitts Posts: 33
    I would really like to "love" this food, but, unfortunately I just cant enjoy it. I'm pretty sure it's the dry/grainy texture along with not soaking up flavor so much. I enjoy most food and it bothers me I don't like it. haha :p As far as nutrients... no doubt about the benefits.

    Yeah it needs help. One possible way to do that, if you're not a vegan, is to put strips of chicken in with it. I'll cut rotisserie chicken into strips and then cook it in with the quinoa. It's tasty IMO and it keeps the over all costs down, too.
  • missdibs1
    missdibs1 Posts: 1,092 Member
    I must admit I'm not a fan I dislike the texture it can give and there are many other things I'd rather eat than Quinoa. I'm always suspicious of anything thats a so called 'Superfood'. I have though found some interesting recipes and just ended up replacing the Quinoa with Couscous. For what is it it can be expensive as well and it's environmental (if you care about that) credentials are pretty suspect

    I bought some quinoa and I have used it once I am not a fan
  • peggymenard
    peggymenard Posts: 246 Member
    It took me a long time before I wanted to try quinoa but I did and I liked it the way I fixed it. First of all it must be rinsed until all the
    little bubbles subside. I put a half a cup in a large skillet with a little coconut oil. Toast it a little, add 1 cup water, cover and cook for about 15 mins. In another skillet, sauté in a little coconut oil, 1 C frozen seasoning blend (celery, onion and pepper), 1 tsp chopped garlic and 1 C of coarsely chopped mushrooms. Season all of this with a little creole seasoning and some Nature's Seasoning. Add
    to the cooked guinoa, cover and let it sit for a few mins to blend flavors. This is the only way I cook it and use it instead of rice. I would not like it cold...
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I love it...I cook it in my rice cooker. One day I'll have it with eggs and syrup, the next I'll put some garlic and soy sauce in it. It's very versatile.

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