Quinoa

hwilliams519
hwilliams519 Posts: 428
edited September 28 in Recipes
So I finally bought some quinoa. It was kind of expensive ($5 a box). I'm looking for some recipes and tips. I don't feel comfortable experimenting with this food. Please help. What's your favorite way(s) to prepare quinoa?
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Replies

  • NNsMomma
    NNsMomma Posts: 18 Member
    I've been eating Quinoa for years. Use it like rice for the most simple way but here is a great recipe I use often....

    Greek Quinoa and Avocado Salad Recipe - Food by Yahoo! Shine!
    http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/food/recipes/greek-quinoa-and-avocado-salad-536434/
  • dayzeerock
    dayzeerock Posts: 918 Member
    $5 a box?! I get it in bulk for around $3 a pound at my grocery store...do you have a bulk aisle where you shop? That's REALLY steep for quinoa. Anyway, I like to cook it in vegetable stock instead of just water for more flavor, and throw it on top of a salad...super yummy and nutritious!
  • Krazyfit
    Krazyfit Posts: 12
    I like to cook it using vegetable broth instead of water. then I add to it finely chopped (steamed) vegetables like mushrooms, onion, garlic, celery, carrots. I use it just like that or with a side of meat. There are also recipes for Quinoa patties, very yummy ( I make mine a little different each time) It is versitile.... feel free to experiment!
  • ChantalGG
    ChantalGG Posts: 2,404 Member
    I like to use it in soup to replace noodles or rice. I make a salad and use quinoa and veggies in yogurt dressing. I basically use it to replace rice or noodle dishes.
  • brneydgrlie
    brneydgrlie Posts: 464 Member
    You can substitute quinoa in any rice or couscous recipe you already use. You can also cook it sweetened and eat it the way you would oatmeal.
  • shelld70
    shelld70 Posts: 106
    Just tried quinoa last night! It thought it was good. It is a little pricey, but a nice change from rice, couscous, and pasta.
  • jb_2011
    jb_2011 Posts: 1,029 Member
    This is a wonderful recipe, so easy to make and just delicious!

    http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-and-Black-Beans/Detail.aspx
  • CandeesLand
    CandeesLand Posts: 200
    I use it in stuffed peppers the most, mixed in with diced tomatoes and ground turkey, even my anti-health-food husband likes it.
  • krlaws2
    krlaws2 Posts: 47
    I made this recipes with it over the weekend. www.recipetips.com/recipe-cards/t--3076/quinoa-soup.asp

    I added in some extra seasoning, but it was really tasty. It basically replaced the noodles for a chicken noodle soup. It was really filling and one serving was just under 200 calories.
  • bast2112
    bast2112 Posts: 63
    I use it as a substitute for rice in just about anything. I even cook it in my rice cooker. I've used it to make spanish style rice, and have been meaning to try stuffing bell peppers with it. Pretty good stuff!

    Also, I get a pretty big bag of it at Costco for about $10.
  • KnottyJen
    KnottyJen Posts: 1,070 Member
    I just found this recipe last night and thought it sounded delicious!

    http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=249901
  • cgavin77
    cgavin77 Posts: 219
    **Copied this from my Recipe builder.

    Chickpea & Quinoa Bajane
    1Cup spinach, 3/4Cup chickp, 2/3Cup qunoa

    Swanson - Organic - Vegetarian Vegetable Broth - Low Sodium, 2 cup 30cals
    Ancient Harvest - Quinoa - Traditional - Personal, 1 cup dry 688
    Leeks - (bulb and lower leaf-portion), cooked, boiled, drained, without salt, 2 cup, chopped or diced 64cals
    Spice World - Minced Garlic, 4 tsp 20cals
    Carrots - Raw, 2 cup, chopped 105cals
    Goya - Chick Peas (Garbanzos) Low Sodium, 1 container (1 4/5 cup (122g) ea.) 350cals
    Home Prepared - Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice, 0.5 lemon 6cals
    Vegetable - Baby Spinach, 1 Cups 13cals
    Hannaford - Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 1 TBSP 120cals
    Peppers - Sweet, red, raw, 0.5 cup, chopped 19cals

    Total: 1415
    Per Serving: 283cals
  • skinnyhappy
    skinnyhappy Posts: 152 Member
    Quinoa is great for breakfast! After cooking, stir in cinnamon, dried or fresh fruit and then drizzle with honey or agave nectar! Deeeeelish.
  • kelzz193
    kelzz193 Posts: 120 Member
    bump**

    you gals have some great ideas, I've too have been wanting to try it & after reading these posts will be buyging some next grocery trip!
  • katschi
    katschi Posts: 689 Member
    IMG_5841.jpg

    Photo is of them just before going in the oven.


    I used to make TexMex meatloaf muffins with quinoa.

    Follow your favorite meatloaf recipe and instead of breadcrumbs or whatever replace it with 1 cup cooked quinoa.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    You can do almost anything with it. The link below is a recipe that I use and everyone loves it!

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/mbcarreno08/view/quinoa-salad-with-cherries-and-pecans-80963
  • katzav
    katzav Posts: 67
    tons of these sound great! thanx!
  • FemininGuns
    FemininGuns Posts: 605 Member
    I've been using Quinoa for a while... easy to cook and love to fry it up in some coconut oil with green onions and sea salts :)
  • OrganicGal
    OrganicGal Posts: 15
    First of all, love your quotation. :) Quinoa is an awesome whole grain, and when purchased in bulk, it truly is cost effective. The beauty of the grain is that you don't have to consume alot per meal. You can use it in dishes as well as a side dish...or a main one. Depends on what you add to it. I would go online and google "recipes using quinoa" and watch how many hits you find. I love experimenting with new grains and trying to find what works for me and my family. I know you'll love it and do well with whatever you choose to use it for. (Just don't use the box for a door stop out of frustration on how to cook it.) LOL
  • nehtaeh
    nehtaeh Posts: 2,849 Member
    bump**

    you gals have some great ideas, I've too have been wanting to try it & after reading these posts will be buyging some next grocery trip!

    Ditto!
  • Lavmann
    Lavmann Posts: 54 Member
    I find it extremely expensive as well. Seems like most of the places around here like to sell it as "organic" with its associated price tag....grrr. Anyway, I have made this salad a couple of times and take it as my lunch. I make in my rice cooker, steaming the broccolli once the quinoa is fully cooked (just putting it on top). The first time I made it, I left the garlic raw and found it a bit over powering but the 2nd time I "cooked" it with the quinoa and found the flavour more subtle. i also prefer it when I let the quinoa/garlic/broccolli cool down completely before adding the rest of the veggies and the oil/lemon juice.

    http://vegetarian.about.com/od/soupssalads/r/quinoasalad.htm
  • krlaws2
    krlaws2 Posts: 47
    Agree, mine was organic and expensive too. Where are you buying that you get it cheaper?
  • pa_jorg
    pa_jorg Posts: 4,404 Member
    Add cooked quinoa to cut up cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach, olives, onions and feta cheese. Top with a little Greek dressing. So addictive!
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    PB banana quinoa :D

    http://kaztronomic.wordpress.com/2010/06/15/peanut-butter-banana-quinoa-porridge-remix/


    Peanut Butter Banana Quinoa Porridge:

    2 tbs dry quinoa

    1/2 cup water

    1 whole banana

    1/4 tsp vanilla extract

    1 tsp blackstrap molasses

    1/2 tsp cinnamon

    1/4 cup almond or soy milk

    1 tbs milled flaxseed

    1/4 cup egg whites

    2 tbs peanut butter

    1 tsp honey

    Cook quinoa, add banana. Let it return to a boil, and stir/mash the banana until fully incorporated into porridge. Reduce heat, and add in cinnamon, blackstrap molasses, and vanilla. Add almond milk and flax, and stir until creamy. Slowly add in egg whites, and stir until fluffy. Increase heat for a half minute, stir. Remove from heat, top with peanut butter and honey.
  • eejieweejie
    eejieweejie Posts: 49 Member
    This is a wonderful recipe, so easy to make and just delicious!

    http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-and-Black-Beans/Detail.aspx

    I use this one too, although I add 1/2lb of ground turkey to mine! Yum yum!!
  • Melis25Fit
    Melis25Fit Posts: 811 Member
    YUM! Bump
  • go2grrl
    go2grrl Posts: 190 Member
    Just made this over the weekend! Very tasty and satisfying

    http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/01/beef-potato-and-quinoa-soup.html
  • Laura_beau
    Laura_beau Posts: 1,029 Member
    Here's the link to a recipe I posted on here the other day for creamy mushroom quinoa risotto:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/260375-creamy-mushroom-quinoa-risotto

    I have also posted a bunch of other quinoa risotto combinations on the thread too- so plenty to try!!
  • brendalyne
    brendalyne Posts: 497
    Bump for ideas!
  • ozycat
    ozycat Posts: 72 Member
    Bump!

    Lovely recipes! MMMMM
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