Quinoa

Quinoa is great for a grain salad over greens. I often cut up some red onions, feta, sunflower seeds, and throw in whatever else is around - avocado, olives, roasted red peppers, etc. Great with a bit of Greek dressing served over spinach. Extras protein (salmon is chicken) optional but not necessary - will definitely hold you over!

I use two recipes from the same site--one for quinoa egg muffins and one for quinoa chipotle meatballs. So good!!

cjingles wrote: »

I use two recipes from the same site--one for quinoa egg muffins and one for quinoa chipotle meatballs. So good!!

I love those "meat"balls and sometimes freeze them in portions for quick lunches.

I made a quinoa paella a few weeks ago that was fantastic!

1.00 oz., Roasted Red Pepper
3.00 piece, Tomatoes, sun-dried, packed in oil, drained
1.00 large, Onions, raw
1.00 container (1 4/5 cups ea.), Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes (Corrected)
0.50 cup chopped, Peppers - Orange - Raw
1.00 tablespoon, Oil - Olive
16.00 oz, Shrimp
1.00 link, Chorizo Sausage Link
3.00 tsp, Chicken Base
1.50 cup uncooked, Quinoa (Dry)

brown chorizo (out of the casing) in a pan with the onions and peppers, add roasted red peppers, sun dried tomatoes, garlic, paprika. Add in the canned tomatoes, quinoa and broth, keep stirring and cooking almost like you would a risotto - adding more broth as needed, once the quinoa is pretty much done add the shrimp and cook until done. I have a paella seasoning mix that I got in spain that I put in this with the paprika, I think it's mostly paprika, smoked paprika and turmeric, this method would be good with other flavors/spices as well. I've also added some boneless skinless chicken thighs to it (that were already cooked) to up the protein a bit. My husband ate this and even went back for seconds - and he generally refuses to even try anything I make with quinoa!

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 314
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9 g 13 %
Saturated Fat 2 g 8 %
Monounsaturated Fat 2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 117 mg 39 %
Sodium 1028 mg 43 %
Potassium 188 mg 5 %
Total Carbohydrate 39 g 13 %
Dietary Fiber 5 g 19 %
Sugars 3 g
Protein 20 g 40 %
Vitamin A 14 %
Vitamin C 107 %
Calcium 8 %
Iron 15 %
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.

I make quinoa salad about every 10 days with whatever is in the fridge. It is good for lunch/dinner. My husband likes it, as it makes a change from sandwiches in his lunch bag. This week's was cooked in veggie broth, I added shredded carrot, fresh green peas, chopped green onion, chopped red and orange peppers, chick peas, raisins and vinegrette made from olive oil, red wine vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper. The last one had carmelized red onion, cooked peppers and tomatoes, broccoli and curry spices. I agree you have to rinse it really well. My husband and I both love it (well he doesn't actually get a vote lol), unfortunately the kids won't touch it!