Tips for getting more protein?

[Crankin]

No matter how many times I have tried, whenever I try to make a recipe with quinoa, it comes out terrible. The stuff just doesn't cook, it feels hard and kind of tasteless. am following all of the instructions.
What am I doing wrong?

[michelem]

Crankin,

Are you rinsing the quinoa first? Unless your package says it's pre-rinsed, you MUST do so. There is some kind of toxin on the outside of the grain that makes it taste bitter, and I wouldn't be surprised if that might be the problem with it staying gritty.

Anyway, I do one part quinoa to two parts water (or vegetable or chicken stock -- I like the organic low-sodium stuff that comes in cartons at TJ's). Bring it to a boil and then simmer until ALL the liquid is absorbed. I do stir occassionally so it doesn't stick to the sides of the pot. For flavor, add whatever you like -- lemon, pepper, garlic, herbs . . .

[spindizzy]

I, like kjay, use Vega. The taste does take getting used to. I find it is better mixed with cold, cold water. I prefer the chocolate. There is a new flavour out..Vanilla Chai, sweet but a nice flavour change.

[OakLeaf]

Do you really find that it's worth $5.00 a serving?

[spindizzy]

I usually only do 1/2 serving. And I use it only for when I am in the dilemma of needing to eat something, and I am scheduled for a hard workout and know I won't be eating a meal for awhile after (just can't eat post hard workouts).

I've been reading this book, "The China Study" and the links this researcher has made between animal protein and disease is quite startling so perhaps I will be drinking more Vega....Will save my comments for another thread.

[cylegoddess]

I rinse mine too or its awful . I find flakes are easier to cook, but are better as cereal/The whole grains need a good rinse( flakes dont do well with this!) and best use two parts water, simmering. If the grains arent transparent before water gets low, add a little more. Just takes practice.

I also eat lots of pea soup( great after ride in winter), green or yellow peas. I soak them overnight and rinse them Usually one half bag of peas to a big pot.
I boil it until peas dissolve into fine grains. Then I add a little salt, corinader and cumin,turmeric to taste( I add heaps but it gets spicy!)
Good reheated, for five days.

[OakLeaf]

Coincidentally, DH just added some quinoa to the last batch of pea soup he made. It was pretty good!

I think some brands of quinoa sold in the US are pre-rinsed. Eden brand (my favorite brand for staples) is not rinsed. It wouldn't be "tasteless" if it wasn't rinsed though, it would be very bitter.

I's not my favorite thing in general (too sweet IMO, with a flavor that doesn't really blend with a lot of things, unlike the sweetness of rice), but it's pretty good in bean salads; a vinaigrette dressing offsets the sweetness. In the pea soup, the flavor pretty much disappeared, and it just left a little bit of a crunch.

[Reesha]

I make edamame hummus with fresh lemon juice, tahini, splash of olive oil and garlic if i'm not going to be close to people

High in protein + fiber and really delicious with celery sticks or green peppers!