Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Quinoa

Do you use quinoa at all?

I am in the need of some yummy quinoa recipes. Pete isn't always in love with the taste, but we are both in love how it's healthy and filling.

I am very interested in this healthy grain, but trying to figure out the best way to cook it. Making it from the box straight up can be time consuming with the rinsing (or maybe just the instructions I've found), so I've tried other options.

I did try a trader Joe's boxed quinoa, and made it as part of one of my Dutch oven recipes, but didn't love the way it turned out. It was sort of dry.

Last night, we tried the Trader Joe's frozen Quinoa with vegetable melange. It was pretty good.

I have also tried The Ancient Grains, nuke-able Quinoas and found those to be my favorite taste. (And very easy for those of us who are tired after a long 9-5er but still want a healthy dish.)

My concern with the previous 2 is the sodium content, but the benefits may outweigh the risks. I forgot to compare the 2; I will have to do so in the future.

I have also found this recipe today for a quinoa salad that sounds pretty tasty=
http://michaelprocopio.wordpress.com/2010/06/12/quinoa-its-an-ancient-grain/

Have you used quinoa, and if so, in what form?

3 comments:

  1. I usually use quinoa as a substitute for rice or other grains. It adds a little variety and texture that rice can't. I have only ever cooked it on its own...not as part of a recipe. Sounds like a good time to start!

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  2. Rain Child- how do you cook your quinoa out of curiousity?

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  3. i didn't care for quinoa until i made it using Martha Rose Shulman's recipe. it was sooo good, light and fluffy. just like couscous!

    1. Place the quinoa in a bowl, and cover with cold water. Let sit for five minutes. Drain through a strainer, and rinse until the water runs clear. Bring the 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add salt (1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon) and the quinoa. Bring back to a boil, and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until the quinoa is tender and translucent; each grain should have a little thread. Drain off the water in the pan through a strainer, and return the quinoa to the pan. Cover the pan with a clean dishtowel, replace the lid and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

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