Quinoa

[Mike Schutz]

Does anyone have any experience with quinoa?

[Shea Zellweger]

I've eaten it once or twice. It's not too bad, but I prefer the more "traditional" grains.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Isn't that one made by Honda?

[Mike Fraley]

I love it! I've been tweaking a recipe for about a year and a half now. The kids dig it, and it's always gone over well with company. It can be made vegan, though the chicken stock adds a broader, richer flavor.

Quinoa is great because it's a complete protein, gluten free, and takes flavors well. Some people call it a great diet food, but I haven't really looked into its caloric content. I know it's pretty filling, though.



Quinoa Stew
4 cups vegetable stock (can use chicken for a hardier flavor)
2 TBSP olive oil
1 cup quinoa
1 potato (finely cubed)
1 yellow squash (diced)
1 zucchini (diced)
1 onion (chopped)
1 vine ripened tomato (diced)
2 carrots (chopped)
5 tsp mild green curry powder
1 ½ tsp fresh ground coriander
½ tsp garam masala
1 ½ tsp whole cumin seeds
1 ½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt

In a large skillet sauté the onion in the olive oil on high. Add quinoa and roast for approximately 30 seconds. Add vegetable stock. Add all other ingredients. Bring to a light boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover, and let cook for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5-7 minutes.


Let me know if you want cooking tips. It's not an entirely intuitive grain, and you can mess up a few times before you get into a good flow. But even an overcooked quinoa is just sub-par. It's not terrible like overcooking pasta.

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

Really glad you started this post, Mike. I bought some bulk quinoa a month ago but have not done anything with it yet!

[Mike Fraley]

Really glad you started this post, Mike. I bought some bulk quinoa a month ago but have not done anything with it yet!

Bring it to my house! We'll do plenty with it!

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

Bring it to my house! We'll do plenty with it!

I just may! I figure anyone who knows how to pronounce it correctly must know how to cook it right.
And I know you know how to pronounce it b/c you (unknowingly) corrected me from continuing to call it 'kin-oh-ah'. (How socially embarrassing!!)

[Marissa Lynn Coblentz]

I made Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Quinoa (http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/11/hearty-chicken-stew-with-butternut-squash-quinoa-recipe/) the other day. It turned out pretty good. The quinoa seemed to just thicken it a little. I don't understand it either, but I have some I've been trying to use.

[Bob Evans]

I just had a foot long Quinoa at subway

[Kazimiera Fraley]

I just may! I figure anyone who knows how to pronounce it correctly must know how to cook it right.
And I know you know how to pronounce it b/c you (unknowingly) corrected me from continuing to call it 'kin-oh-ah'. (How socially embarrassing!!)
I knew some people in KS who pronounced it that way :)

[John Reilly]

Isn't that one made by Honda?

I think its made by KIA.

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

I made Hearty Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Quinoa (http://www.cookincanuck.com/2011/11/hearty-chicken-stew-with-butternut-squash-quinoa-recipe/) the other day. It turned out pretty good. The quinoa seemed to just thicken it a little. I don't understand it either, but I have some I've been trying to use.

The "Cookin' Canuck" ????? :)

(Nice recipe will try it.)

[Katelynn Scott]

I made quinoa just last night. I made it in the rice cooker - one part quinoa to two parts water. I made one cup of quinoa with 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can of petite diced tomatoes, chopped onion, garlic, coriander and cumin. It could have used more of a spicy salsa instead of the mild diced tomatoes. Overall, I like it.

Being vegetarian and pregnant, my doctor has been trying to make sure I get enough protein. Quinoa is a great way to accomplish that goal!

This website has some great recipes:
http://www.quinoa.net/181.html

[Mike Schutz]

Had red Bolivian quinoa for dinner tonight. Really delicious.

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

I made quinoa just last night. I made it in the rice cooker - one part quinoa to two parts water. I made one cup of quinoa with 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can of petite diced tomatoes, chopped onion, garlic, coriander and cumin. It could have used more of a spicy salsa instead of the mild diced tomatoes. Overall, I like it.

Being vegetarian and pregnant, my doctor has been trying to make sure I get enough protein. Quinoa is a great way to accomplish that goal!

This website has some great recipes:
http://www.quinoa.net/181.html

Thanks for this link, Katelynn. I just tried the quinoa I bought 3 months ago for the first time this week. I loved it! Had some for breakfast. Then I made a minestrone soup and instead of pasta put in the leftover cooked quinoa. Perfect.

I am trying to cut down the sugar, acid (pH), and gluten in my diet. I guess I would say my 'allergies' are 1. extra weight and 2. the fact I have osteoarthritis. I feel like I can eat anything, but, I've decided the evidence suggests otherwise. Quinoa, from all I've read, will be an excellent addition to my normal diet (and therefore to my husband's :) )

[Gina Stevenson]

Love, love, LOOOVE the stuff !! ;)

[Susan Unger]

I made quinoa just last night. I made it in the rice cooker - one part quinoa to two parts water. I made one cup of quinoa with 1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed), 1 can of petite diced tomatoes, chopped onion, garlic, coriander and cumin. It could have used more of a spicy salsa instead of the mild diced tomatoes. Overall, I like it.

Being vegetarian and pregnant, my doctor has been trying to make sure I get enough protein. Quinoa is a great way to accomplish that goal!

This website has some great recipes:
http://www.quinoa.net/181.htmlI didn't realize that Quinoa had much protein in it. Would you say more than traditional grains or the same? If more, I'll have to consider it since I am trying to eat vegetarian as well.

[Susan Unger]

the fact I have osteoarthritis.I've heard that a vegetarian [actually vegan] diet helps combat arthritis so you are definitely in the right direction by incorporating more Quinoa.

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

Went to the gym this morning and did not want to blow my efforts by eating the wrong breakfast.
So I mixed together:
1.5 c cooked quinoa
1/4 of an avocado, cut in small chunks
1/4 cup chunky (mild) salsa (La Mexicana brand).

I am hooked - I could eat this breakfast, lunch and dinner! Today, I just might. I've taken to keeping a bowl of cooked quinoa in the frig ready whenever I want it.