Quinoa
Posted in: Food Finds |
Qui-WHAT?
That’s what I said to myself when I started seeing recipes online using this unfamiliar grain. I never heard of it before this year.
Researching a bit on the internet I discovered it’s a super grain that’s apparently not a grain at all. It’s related to spinach! WHFood.com lists quinoa in their top World’s Healthiest food list because of it’s high in protein, magnesium, iron and it’s low in calories. One half cup cooked has about 110 calories, 4 g of fat and 5 g of fiber.
So when I saw it at Trader Joe’s a few months ago. I was ecstatic to try it but I wasn’t inspired until seeing Kathy’s QUINOA BLACK BEAN SALAD. Then it smacked me across the face, “Oh! yea you have this new cool stuff to try in the pantry, what are you waiting for?!?”. Yes I really do get that excited! ;~P
And I’m SO glad I did! This stuff is AWESOME! It had a mild favor absorbing anything you cook it in. I can see it has a side dish, in soups, stews, salads. Man! The possibilities are endless! Tonight I used it in my Pinto Chicken and Quinoa crock pot idea and it completed the stew nicely.
Now I know I’m a latecomer the quinoa party. Where are my veterans? What do you like about it? How do you use it? Do you have any favorite recipes you can share?
Please share, this inquiring mind wants to know! (and I’m sure others)
Oh! and in case you are wondering quinoa is pronounced keen-wah or kee-noh-uh according to dictionary.com.
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[...] went on to explain what quinoa is and he continued to pick out all the chicken pieces. He said he liked it but left most of the [...]
I loved its flavor even standing alone and I think I will serve it occasionally as a side, but I’m also excited about subbing it for rice and couscous…maybe in soup the next time. And thanks for the “shout-out”.
I discovered quinoa about 6 months ago and I LOVE it. I hope people don’t get turned off by the 4 g of fat per serving because it’s the good fat, not the bad fat!
I mainly serve it as a side dish, alone, after cooking it in some chicken/vegetable stock instead of just water.
I’ve also used it in tabouleh instead of couscous.
I am trying out this stuff this week. I have also had a bag for quite a while and could not figure out the right way to try it. I think I am going to use Kathy’s recipe for the black bean salad and give it a try. Sounds great.
I have read on the WW forums that many people think it looks like little fish eyes when it is cooked so they refuse to eat it. As long as it tastes okay I will be good. Thanks again for the information :) Love reading about you!
I’m so glad to see you are giving Quinoa a try Roni.
Right now I’m on a pilaf kick. It’s a great way to use up those stray veggies in the fridge that you don’t want to go to waste, but you don’t have enough of to actually do something “meal-size” with.
I sauteed onion, garlic, carrots, celery, raddishes, mushrooms, sweet bell pepper in olive oil while the quinoa was cooking away. When done, toss it all together. Presto-pilaf!
I just saw a special this weekend on Food Network (Simply Delicioso) and she prepared a Grilled Mahi Mahi with a Black Bean salad with a side of Quinoa. It looks DELICIOUS… here’s a link…
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_102186,00.html
The Quinoa Black Bean Salad was great!! I am crazy about it. I think this is one of the ways I will make quinoa from now on…well I have not tried it any other way. I added the recipe to my site too (and said that I found it from you and Kathy) Keep the recipes rolling. I love trying out new stuff and keeping up with your blog!
I haven’t been able to find this at Publix yet, so I need to check out Fresh Market or Whole Foods, because I am absolutely DYING to cook it on my own!
My favorite little restaurant here serves it as a “salad” with half sliced green grapes, celery, cashews and goat cheese, with an orange vinegarette….it’s amazing!
[...] 1 cup (170 g) quinoa [...]
[...] for my post I came across some interesting recipe ideas combining mango with my new find, quinoa. Quinoa Salad with Herb Marinated Shrimp and Mango and Mango Curry Quinoa Salad are two interesting [...]
Where do you find your quinoa? I looked for it at my local Giant recently, but no such luck. I think we live in the same general area, so I’m hoping there’s a nearby place that I can pick it up.
Dani - So far I’ve only seen it at Trader Joe’s and online. I added one to the GLB Store….
http://greenlitebites.com/the-glb-store/
My mom introduced me to quinoa probably 15 years ago when I was a kid- she was a fanatic for making “hot cereal” in the morning and trying different grains. Quinoa was hands down my favorite, it has such a mild flavor but it has an almost nutty crunch to it, it’s so good. I love to make it like you would make hot oatmeal in the morning, and it’s a great addition in breads and salad recipes. I’ll dig up the recipes because they’re definitely worth sharing and it’s exciting to find that someone else like it.
I tried the Quick quinoa turkey taco stew this weekend, OMG was it delish! Quick question for everyone…some sites say you should wash it before you cook it?!?! I didn’t do that before I put it in the stew! Is that okay? Are you supposed to wash it? Or is that only if you buy it in bulk or something? I bought the same Trader Joe’s box that Roni has. HELP!
Alli -
I didn’t wash it either! Maybe I should have? Here’s to hoping some sheds some light for us. :~)
[...] GreenLiteBites where I share my kitchen adventures on cooking and eating light. I post about new foods I’ve tried, share my recipes, and even post [...]
Hey there — I also made quinoa for the first time this year… we loved it!
This recipe was great:
http://www.weheartfood.com/2008/02/quinoa-with-butternut-squash-and-carrot.html
[...] heard of people using quinoa for sweet dishes before but I’ve only tried it for dinner. Discovering it just a few months [...]
A-ha! I’ve been educated. Thanks!
Somehow I doubt my small town will have any of this. They haven’t quite figured out the health food craze yet. We’re more of a meat and potatoes kinda place.
I think I’ll give it a try if I can find it.