Quinoa... omg!

megsybk
megsybk Posts: 27 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I was at target the other day and decided to buy Quinoa (i've been seeing a lot of recipes on Pinterest using it) and when I was making it tonight (thank GOODNESS for my rice cooker!) I was really worried about what I was getting myself into! My boyfriend looked at me like I was crazy when he saw it, but we were both pleasantly surprised!

Do any of you lovely people use Quinoa and if so, what are some of your favorite recipes?
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Replies

  • Bpowell76
    Bpowell76 Posts: 25 Member
    I heard of but been to afraid to try. What is the texture like? Is it like rice? I have been trying to open my mind to new things, so willing to give it a try.
  • clschaan
    clschaan Posts: 16
    its very good ... I've eaten it for about two years .. I usually toss it in my salads
  • ashleyacee
    ashleyacee Posts: 118
    I love it! It is very versatalie. You can have it cold with chopped bell peppers, olive oil, salt and pepper as a salad. It is also great added to stir frys, curried, and even as an oatmeal alternative, you just serve it hot with almond milk,cinnamon,fruit (preferably bananas)
  • ashleyacee
    ashleyacee Posts: 118
    Yes it is similar to rice, although it's different and has a bit of a nutty flavor.
  • blytheandbonnie
    blytheandbonnie Posts: 3,275 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/529408-quinoa-what-is-your-favorite-recipe
    Here's a link (I hope) to this very same topic. Check it out. It has many good ideas.
  • megsybk
    megsybk Posts: 27 Member
    Hm... I don't know how to describe the texture. It definitely was not like rice. My boyfriend said he thought the texture was that of caviar. I haven't ever had caviar so I can't comment on that. It has kind of a nutty taste. I made a crock pot fiesta chicken (found on spark people) recipe and put that over it. It was good! I'm not sure I would want to eat it solely by itself though. It has a lot of nutritional value so I'm glad that I liked it!
  • AntShanny
    AntShanny Posts: 359 Member
    I tried it for the first time last week, bought a pre-flavored pack...black bean. I was pleasantly surprised! WIll definitely use it again, probably buy some plain and flavor it myself. The texture is different...not quite couscous, not quite rice...hard to describe!
  • Inebriated
    Inebriated Posts: 271
    I've never tried it before but I've been curious about it. What is the taste/texture like?
  • ambutler0905
    ambutler0905 Posts: 31
    try cooking in in broth instead of water. it gives it a great flaver that stands on its own. I add browned ground turkey and tomatoe sauce for a "spanish" rice type of meal (along with peppers, onions and garlic)
  • ambutler0905
    ambutler0905 Posts: 31
    reminds me of tapioca with out the custard.
  • katejkelley
    katejkelley Posts: 839 Member
    I use it quite a bit. I LOVE it, and it's so healthy! There are several websites dedicated to quinoa recipes, so I tend to find something new whenever I'm going to fix it. But if I just want something simple, i cook it in low-sodium chicken broth and add chopped veggies - whatever I on hand. It makes a great side dish! Also, you can get quinoa flakes you can bake with. I've made muffins, pancakes, cereal - very good!
  • katejkelley
    katejkelley Posts: 839 Member
    The texture is like a fine rice or barley.
  • epursey
    epursey Posts: 36 Member
    I LOVE quinoa! I make a yummy pineapple quinoa stir-fry.

    Basically I saute some onion, a bit of garlic and mushrooms. Add in the cooked quinoa and stir it up good. Add bite sized pieces of kale. Cover and let kale cook 3-4 min. Add pineapple chunks and fresh mint. Serve.

    I've seen "mac&cheese" recipes but I am skeptical. I also have a recipe for a quinoa patty that I am going to try this week. I also like it cold.

    I would say as well as a nutty flavor, I find it slightly crunchy. To boost flavor you can cook it in broth. I have never added butter to the broth while cooking it but I bet you could do that to.


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  • smcolton
    smcolton Posts: 78
    Banana, blueberry and walnut quinoa

    2 cups cooked quinoa
    1/4 cup ground flax seed

    1.5 cups blueberries - I used frozen and thawed them
    2 medium bananas - sliced
    1/2 cup walnut pieces

    6 eggs
    1/2 cup milk

    8-10 tsp agave nectar (or honey)

    Mix quinoa and flax seed. Put in a oblong cake pan.
    Layer sliced bananas on top of quinoa
    Layer blueberries on top of bananas
    Sprinkle walnuts on top

    Mix eggs and milk, pour over the quinoa, bananas, blueberries and walnuts.

    Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Drizzle with the agave or honey

    10 servings - 156 calories each serving
  • jolie8
    jolie8 Posts: 6 Member
    I love it! I tried it about a year ago and have been enjoying with chicken, fish and vegetables. I've basically used it as a rice substitute but after reading these posts, I now have some other ideas of how I can eat it. I like the idea of trying it as an oatmeal or using it to stuff peppers. Oh, I actually did have it at a Cuban restaurant recently. It was mixed with some type of cheese and stuffed into a spicy pepper and it was delicious!
  • jolie8
    jolie8 Posts: 6 Member
    That sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing:smile:
  • issyfit
    issyfit Posts: 1,077 Member
    I was at target the other day and decided to buy Quinoa (i've been seeing a lot of recipes on Pinterest using it) and when I was making it tonight (thank GOODNESS for my rice cooker!) I was really worried about what I was getting myself into! My boyfriend looked at me like I was crazy when he saw it, but we were both pleasantly surprised!

    Do any of you lovely people use Quinoa and if so, what are some of your favorite recipes?

    In the rice cooker do you cook it just like you would rice?
  • PeaceCorpsKat
    PeaceCorpsKat Posts: 335 Member
    I love it! Eat it all the time. Just use it as a grain. Boil it like rice.
  • megsybk
    megsybk Posts: 27 Member
    Not ever having cooked or tasted Quinoa before, I thought it came out great using the rice cooker. The directions were the same as they are for cooking regular rice (add x amount of uncooked quinoa with x amount of water) so my logic was that the rice cooker could be used. I thought it came out well! I probably would've ruined it on the stove! haha.

    I will probably use low sodium chicken stock next time though!
  • nermal6873
    nermal6873 Posts: 344 Member
    I keep thinking I need to try some.
  • adietron
    adietron Posts: 155
    Do any of you lovely people use Quinoa and if so, what are some of your favorite recipes?

    My meat and potatoes husband is a FULL-ON quinoa convert :)

    I use it as a rice substitute, and for salads too. This is one of my fave ways to make it:

    (2 cups) water
    (1 cup) quinoa, rinsed, drained
    Olive oil spray
    2 bunches asparagus, woody ends trimmed, cut into 1" lengths
    1 large red bell pepper, halved, seeded, coarsely chopped
    (1/2 cup) crumbled reduced-fat feta
    2 tsp honey
    2 tsp olive oil

    Combine water and quinoa in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Transfer to a large bowl. Set aside to cool. (i often season during the cooking process, you can use whatever you like, but one of my favorites is Moroccan seasoning)

    Meanwhile, blanch the asparagus and red pepper for 2-3 minutes or until tender crisp. Add to the quinoa.

    Whisk the lemon juice, honey, and oil in a small bowl until well combined. Add the dressing to the quinoa mixture. Season with pepper and toss to combine.

    This salad is great warm, but even better cold. Enjoy!
  • megsybk
    megsybk Posts: 27 Member
    Sounds delicious! Thanks!!
  • Bpowell76
    Bpowell76 Posts: 25 Member
    I will definitely add to shopping list. Great food ideas. Thanks
  • donnao1117
    donnao1117 Posts: 6
    i have become addicted! great with roasted vegetables i.e. asparagus, cauliflower, brussel sprouts....sprinkle on some olive oil, crazy salt...mix up well, and put in oven on 400 for about 18 minutes...mix the quinoa in with it on your plate...also, fabulous in salads...
  • pattyhild
    pattyhild Posts: 32 Member
    Yum!! I am definitely trying the banana, blueberry, and walnut recipe!

    I just had quinoa for din din: with sauteed veggies (in grape seed oil): green peppers, onions, carrots, celery, garlic; and shrimp (with red pepper flakes). Super delish and healthy.
  • Miosottys23
    Miosottys23 Posts: 2
    I love Quinoa! and with all this recipes you guys posted I will definitely have some for tomorrow :O)
  • mich1760
    mich1760 Posts: 34
    Want to try it. Thanks for the tips everyone
  • Amberdew1
    Amberdew1 Posts: 20 Member
    This Looks really good! We haven't tried it yet but definitely will be soon!!

    Quinoa with Roasted Garlic, Tomatoes, and Spinach

    Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup)
    Recipe from Cookin Light
    Nutritional Information

    Amount per serving Calories: 130
    Fat: 5g
    Saturated fat: 0.7g
    Monounsaturated fat: 3.1g
    Polyunsaturated fat: 1g
    Protein: 4.1g
    Carbohydrate: 16.6g
    Fiber: 1.8g
    Cholesterol: 1mg
    Iron: 1.7mg
    Sodium: 305mg
    Calcium: 49mg

    Ingredients

    1 whole garlic head
    1 tablespoon olive oil
    1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
    1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
    1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed and drained
    1 tablespoon dry white wine
    1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
    1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
    1/3 cup chopped seeded tomato (1 small)
    1 tablespoon shaved fresh Parmesan cheese
    1/4 teaspoon salt

    Preparation
    1. Preheat oven to 350°.
    2. Remove papery skin from garlic head. Cut garlic head in half crosswise, breaking apart to separate whole cloves. Wrap half of head in foil; reserve remaining garlic for another use. Bake at 350° for 1 hour; cool 10 minutes. Separate cloves; squeeze to extract garlic pulp. Discard skins.
    3. Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add shallots and red pepper to pan; cook 1 minute. Add quinoa to pan; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine; cook until liquid is absorbed, stirring constantly. Add broth; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat; stir in garlic pulp, spinach, tomato, cheese, and salt. Serve immediately
  • cookiezncream
    cookiezncream Posts: 1
    I use it all the time instead of rice, my other half didn't like it at first, but i alway sautee mushrooms or peppers in the pan before i cook the quinoa so it absorbs the favour and now he loves it.
  • darkchocolate68
    darkchocolate68 Posts: 104
    I thought the stuff was awful and nearly gagged trying to get it down. I tried it different ways, but it just isn't for me. I wish it was because of the high protein content.

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