Quinoa

myrahonbarrier
myrahonbarrier Posts: 191 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I have never eaten or cooked quinoa....what type of taste/texture does it have? Whats the best way to cook it and what does it go best with?
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Replies

  • karylee44
    karylee44 Posts: 892
    yummy! sort of like cooscoos.. i have cooked it in broth for a chicken flavor.. put it in soup (instead of chicken and rice, chicken and quinoa, and stuffed tomatos with it.. ) like with any pasta or rice.. you can change the flavor by changing the liquid you cook it in..
  • grannygethealthy1111
    grannygethealthy1111 Posts: 422
    It is yummy. It has a light nutty flavor. I put it in stuffed peppers, on salads, eat it plain like rice, and I occasionally make it for breakfast like you would make oatmeal. It is high in protein and one of my favorites now. Try it!
  • Lalee975
    Lalee975 Posts: 19 Member
    You can also sweeten/flavor it like you would oatmeal and have it for breakfast.
  • Justacoffeenut
    Justacoffeenut Posts: 3,749 Member
    bump for ideas just bought my 1st box the other day.
  • myrahonbarrier
    myrahonbarrier Posts: 191 Member
    Any certain brand that I need to use? Or is it pretty much just generic?
  • cmoul001
    cmoul001 Posts: 3 Member
    I love quinoa! It's kind of like couscous in that it's flavorless on its own. You can add anything to it and it tastes amazing! It's like rice too in that you boil it in an exact measurement of water... cooked properly, it will absorb all the water and be done cooking when the water has either been absorbed or steamed off. I think it's 1 part quinoa to 3 parts water if I recall correctly but it will say on the box. It's so versatile... I've used it as a side dish usually, but it was also an ingredient in cranberry almond cookies I made about a month ago and tasted great! Epicurious has some good recipes for it. It's a whole grain that also contains protein, so it is very filling. Yum!
  • SilMarillion
    SilMarillion Posts: 71
    Its wonderful stuff! Like others have said before, I has a light nutty flavor... I just put half cup into a cup of boiling water, reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the water is gone.... serve it like you would rice.

    I also make bread out of it... I will post the recipe later.

    SilMarillion.
  • pandurbear77
    pandurbear77 Posts: 11 Member
    Its amazing with black bean and salsa for a quick meal or add some bell pepper, mushrooms and onions if you have more time to cook!
  • spiregrain
    spiregrain Posts: 254 Member
    One of my favorite grains!! So yummy. I use it to make a gluten free tabbouleh. I also like it in a lot of Latin dishes because it is a Latin American grain. But the way I enjoy it the most is in a cold grain salad -- I use chopped onions, parsley, citrus juice and some broth, lightly sauteed vegetables (whatever's handy), and some diced dried fruit. Awesome in the summer.
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    I just made this soup and served it over quinoa. Awesome

    http://www.veganrunningmom.com/post/23019559600/yellow-split-pea-soup

    EDIT: note that the second "garlic" is supposed to be "ginger" :)
  • spiregrain
    spiregrain Posts: 254 Member
    Like I am dying to try this:

    http://www.theppk.com/2010/04/quinoa-salad-with-black-beans-mango/
  • tnqnt
    tnqnt Posts: 397 Member
    Check out this recipe....
    I do it without the bun so the calories are MUCH lower.... and i add corn and cumin and mexican chili pepper spice..
    http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/black-bean-quinoa-burgers/

    EDIT... serve burgers with lettuce, salsa and avocado :)
  • khawkin
    khawkin Posts: 39 Member
    You can also sweeten/flavor it like you would oatmeal and have it for breakfast.

    I love it for breakfast. Mix cooked quinoa with cinnamon, almond milk, & a little stevia :D
  • CEHayes73
    CEHayes73 Posts: 221 Member
    BUMP!
  • lfm1968
    lfm1968 Posts: 44 Member
    Black Bean and Quinoa -- go to all recipes.com and search that. Super yummy! I eat it room temp for lunch.
  • tnqnt
    tnqnt Posts: 397 Member
    You can also sweeten/flavor it like you would oatmeal and have it for breakfast.

    I love it for breakfast. Mix cooked quinoa with cinnamon, almond milk, & a little stevia :D

    Interesting .... does it work well with sweet flavoring? Sounds YUMMY!
  • wbgolden
    wbgolden Posts: 2,066 Member
    double post. meant to edit.
  • Jacole18
    Jacole18 Posts: 716 Member
    bump
  • SilMarillion
    SilMarillion Posts: 71
    Any certain brand that I need to use? Or is it pretty much just generic?

    I use Bob's Red Mill - Organic Whole Grain Quinoa, but I'm sure they are all the same... just go organic.
  • tnqnt
    tnqnt Posts: 397 Member
    ...and rinse it first.... always rinse it because it has a coating on it which is bitter if not rinsed... :)
  • SilMarillion
    SilMarillion Posts: 71
    ...and rinse it first.... always rinse it because it has a coating on it which is bitter if not rinsed... :)

    Actually, I've found that rinsing is not really necessary, but its up to you.
  • tnqnt
    tnqnt Posts: 397 Member
    ...and rinse it first.... always rinse it because it has a coating on it which is bitter if not rinsed... :)

    Actually, I've found that rinsing is not really necessary, but its up to you.

    I guess they put something on it to keep the bugs away... not toxic, but bitter... i think most companies do rinse it away before packaging but I still rinse it, just to be sure :)
  • jaimemariel
    jaimemariel Posts: 183 Member
    its a grain, you don't need any brand. you can buy it in bulk and save yourself some monies.
  • tnqnt
    tnqnt Posts: 397 Member
    What do you suggest to top it with for breakfast? I always made is savory, but sounds like a great sweet breakfast option!! :)
  • Kerri_is_so_very
    Kerri_is_so_very Posts: 999 Member
    it's good stuff and there are some good ideas here! It's good hot or in a cold salad
  • photojunkie28
    photojunkie28 Posts: 292
    Love this post, I was about to add quinoa to my grocery list this weekend. I heard about the stuffed peppers and am dying to try that. I love stuffed peppers and this would be a fabulous way to "clean" it up a bit! Glad to know it's not one of those eat it if you have to foods!
  • kayakchickc
    kayakchickc Posts: 6 Member
    I put in the pan that I fry my egg in while I fry my egg. Quinoa salad or just quinoa. I just cook it up in my rice cooler.
  • chicfreak9
    chicfreak9 Posts: 78 Member
    I use agave or honey. whatever you sweeten your oatmeal with put on your quinoa. I like it with soy / almond / coconut milk fresh berries or dried fruit. the best part is that it keeps you full for a long time
  • reyopo
    reyopo Posts: 210 Member
    its a grain, you don't need any brand. you can buy it in bulk and save yourself some monies.

    Not to nit-pick, but it is actually a seed that some grain-sensitive types (like me!) can also enjoy! I usually have it in the breakfast porridge way (mixed with buckwheat, which is actually a fruit, is great)...or with steamed veggies and a tahini/miso/lemon sauce. Thank goodness for quinoa, it's my salvation!

    http://www.grainfreeliving.com/blog/118-is-quinoa-a-seed-or-a-grain
  • soccermoma11
    soccermoma11 Posts: 126
    Cooks like rice, my favorite is to cook up some spinach in just a tad of olive oil and some garlic, and than mix with the quinoa. It goes great with a nice chicken breast.

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