Tell me about quinoa. Include recipes, plz.

baconsmom

TIA!

AuntFlo

Is that the corn flour stuff?

baconsmom

It's a grain you can make like rice or couscous. I bought some yesterday and am wondering what to do with it. 

thatgrrrrl

it's a super food. Has pretty much everything you need. It's very filling.

I make it with chicken stock to add flavor. I generally will add in veggies.

I have made a chicken stir fry and used quinoa as a substitute for rice. It was delicious.

thatgrrrrl

Generally, I use it as a substitute for rice or pasta if I want a little more umph to my meal.

**O-Face**

Quinoa w/Spinach and Feta

Ingredients

1/2 cup uncooked quinoa
1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced very thin
1 cup fresh spinach
1 ounce feta cheese

Directions

Rinse the quinoa in a strainer. (Use a sifter if you don't have a strainer that's small enough.) In a small saucepan, add the quinoa and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to simmer until water is absorbed, about 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil and garlic. Cook the garlic in the oil until the edges of the garlic turns very light brown, being careful not to burn the garlic (reduce heat to low if necessary). When the quinoa is done cooking, add it to the skillet along with the spinach. Stir it together until the spinach wilts. Add the crumbled feta cheese and stir to combine. Makes 2 servings.

**O-Face**

Strawberry Fields Breakfast Quinoa

Ingredients (for one serving):

• 1 serving quinoa, dry
• 1 cup strawberries
• 1 serving sweetened nuts (I used honey sesame cashews)
• 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar for reducing

Directions:

• Boil quinoa according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, wash and slice strawberries. Set aside.
• In another small pot, bring balsamic vinegar to boil and reduce it (takes about 5 minutes, it will become thick and oily).
• Once quinoa is finished, drain any excess liquid and mix in nuts, maple syrup, and strawberries.  Plate.
• Pour balsamic reduction over the top.
• Enjoy!

**O-Face**

Toasted Quinoa w/Pumpkin Yogurt (just for the quinoa mix)

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 2 tablespoons flax
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• Ingredients for Pumpkin Yogurt

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Mix the first four ingredients together and spread out on greased cookie sheet.
• Bake 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove from oven and let cool.
• Serving alongside Pumpkin Yogurt and enjoy!

baconsmom

YUM. TY! I think I will make some tonight. 

**O-Face**

I hope you like it BM, the texture is a little weird, but I like it most of the time.

notamrs

I have an awesome quinoa and chickpea salad recipe at home.  I'll find it and post it tomorrow.  Super easy and extremely delicious.

Callmebetty

I pretty much just substitute it for rice.  So if you were thinking of doing a stir-fry with rice, try it with quinoa instead--that sort of thing.  

Disclaimer: I suck at cooking.  

VarunaTT

Also, don't freak out when you look at it cooked the first time.  It's suppose to have that little ring of white that looks honestly like a worm.  Means it's cooked properly.  I like to toast it up a bit and then put it into the boiling water (or stock).