Uses for Quinoa

[WindingRoad]

So I am starting to use quinoa in some recipes, the first is in the oven as I type. I sounds like a very healthy, filling alternative to always using meat in things? For my first attempt I am making stuffed peppers with lean turkey mixed in with the quinoa. I added lots of veggies in the mix and I hope it turns out well? We will see in about 15 more minutes. Anyone else using quinoa in recipes? If so, do tell.

[pll]

Epicurious has some recipes. You can use it as a substitute for rice or couscous... I like to cook it in freshly made chicken stock and, for an easy meal for lunch during the week, I mix it with sautéed veggies. My favorite combination: asparagus, zucchini, red bell pepper, mushrooms...

[Owlie]

I've never cooked with it, but I've often seen it used like couscous.

[WindingRoad]

So they turned out wonderful! Pretty good for my first attempt. The quinoa has a great flavor and texture.

[OakLeaf]

It's not one of my favorites, but it's good in lentil soup and in kidney bean salad.

[Susan]

We like Quinoa very much and use it similar to rice.

For instance:

* Cook a small teacup Quinoa (in 2 teacups of water with a little salt. If you like it, you can add Curry or Curcuma.). Roast chicken or turkey in a pan, and use the same pan for steaming some vegetables (I like babycarrots and zucchini), add some herbs if you like and mix the cooked Quinoa into the vegetables.
Thats my last Minute recipe it's really quick

* Cook some Quinoa.
Take small zucchinis, cut them in halves (lengthwise). Take some of the zucchini-flesh (?! how do you call that) out with a spoon so you can "stuff" them.
Roast an onion and some mushrooms with the zucchini-flesh that you scraped out of the zucchinis before, season with salt/pepper/garlic and mix it with the cooked Quinoa. (You can also add olives and/or feta cheese if you like it.)
Fill this mixture into your zucchini-halves.
You need some tomato sauce (I take a can of tomatoes, add 3 dried tomatoes and blend it).
Put the tomato sauce and the zucchini-halves into a casserole (you can add some grated cheese on top) and bake for about 40 minutes (it's ready when the zucchinis are soft boiled).

[Catrin]

You can use it like rice, it is quite great and a complete protein. The trick is to WASH it. And Wash it. And wash it some more. Did I say wash it? It comes with a soapy-like exterior that can become bitter if it is not removed - so wash it some more

This really is a great grain - I think that some don't care for it because it wasn't washed enough and it was bitter. I understand that soap-like exterior fends off insects in the wild - I can see why

I've used it like a pilaf and in assorted ethnic dishes. It may be the only grain that is a complete protein, though there may be others I've not run across.

[bmccasland]

You can use it like rice, it is quite great and a complete protein. The trick is to WASH it. And Wash it. And wash it some more. Did I say wash it? It comes with a soapy-like exterior that can become bitter if it is not removed - so wash it some more

This really is a great grain - I think that some don't care for it because it wasn't washed enough and it was bitter. I understand that soap-like exterior fends off insects in the wild - I can see why

That was my first experience. YUCK! No one told me to wash it. Catrin isn't kidding. Someone told me, "but first you have to wash it, lots, several rinses of water, then cook it." The package ought to come with a warning label - wash me, stupid.

[OakLeaf]

Some of the packages do tell you to wash it.

Then there are other brands that are pre-washed but don't say so.

I wash mine plenty, it's the sweetness that puts me off.

[alexis_the_tiny]

Add it cooked to any dish made with ground meat - sheperd's pie, meatballs, hamburgers, meatloaf. But a little tends to go a very long way with quinoa. I don't particularly like its taste when not hidden in ground meat. Stir fried like fried rice is also pretty good.

[nscrbug]

I love quinoa...although it is relatively new to my diet. I have basically only eaten it "plain"...but cooked in fat-free chicken broth, with maybe a sprinkle of parmesan cheese on it. I have yet to try it in a recipe. I hadn't thought about it, but when Oakleaf mentioned the "sweetness" of it...she was right, it does have a somewhat odd sweetness to it.

[Susan]

Hmm I don't think the Quinoa I use is sweet in any way, it's very similar to other grains like rice or Bulgur. Also mine is pre-washed (fortunately - as I never read such things as "wash before use" ) Maybe it's a matter of brand?
Or maybe it's a matter of taste, sometimes two people don't taste the same things when eating the same

[Catrin]

Hmm I don't think the Quinoa I use is sweet in any way, it's very similar to other grains like rice or Bulgur. Also mine is pre-washed (fortunately - as I never read such things as "wash before use" ) Maybe it's a matter of brand?
Or maybe it's a matter of taste, sometimes two people don't taste the same things when eating the same

Oh no, there would be no doubt in your mind As an experiment you might want to rinse it once and see if the water seems a little, well, sudsy It may be that some companies do pre-rinse it. I buy it in bulk rather than from a regular store.

[badger]

I've made really nice a quinoa salad with a whole whack of stuff in it like celery, apple, carrots, grapes, nuts, dried cranberries, and topped it off with just a simple dressing of apple cider vinegar, touch of sugar, and oil.

But I got turned off when I realized that the two times I got sick, I had also eaten quinoa so now i'm very reluctant to do anything with them. It could be it was a bad batch, but you know how it is when you get sick after eating something.

[Crankin]

I have tried to make it several times... the pre-rinsed version that specifically says you do not have to wash it. It tasted horrible and the consistency was gross, too, like it never got cooked. Yet, I have had it at friend's houses and restaurants and I really liked it. Are you saying I have to wash even the pre-rinsed kind?