QUINOA -Instead of rice, in soup, salads, mixed with veggies

[stefami]

Can quinoa be cooked in a rice cooker? I love white rice and sometimes I just want to have it plain, without anything. I always used a rice cooker cause it would come out good every time(I'm not the best cook and tend to burn things). And is the taste and texture similar to white rice/brown rice? Thanks

[LibbyD]

Hi stefami

I have never used a rice cooker, but I would imagine it would work just fine because quinoa cooks just like rice. Might try replacing some of the cooking water with chicken broth for a little added flavor.

As for taste...it's hard to describe. I guess I'd say it's nuttier and grain-like in taste and not starchy like white rice. But it can be used in meals like rice, if that makes any sense. I think the best way to find out is just to make it! Or see if any local health food restaurants or grocery store ready-meals offer them.

[stefami]

thanks, will be trying it these week in phase 2.

[kjj3kids]

I tried the Ancient Harvest 'Inca Red' Quinoa and my husband did not like it. We eat the regular type of quinoa. Not sure how to descibe the difference in flavor but we did notice it. I guess I'd say the regular quinoa is more nuttier flavored.

[vancouverAJ]

I substituted Quinoa flakes for the oatmeal in the big breakfast bars and man it was good!! Granted, they're more of a 'dinner roll' type bread that you would eat with a meal but it was still tasty!

I'm gonna make some more tonight...

BTW, where is a good place to buy Quinoa? I only found it @ a store in Seattle, WA when I was there on business. In San Diego, it seems like I can only find Quinoa FLOUR @ Henry's...hmmm

[LibbyD]

vancouverAJ

I buy my quinoa at Whole Foods. They offer it in the bulk section as well as the boxed brand name types. They also have the flours and flakes.

If there is no Whole Foods in your area, I'd try any natural food stores or go online and see if the Quinoa brand name web sites offer a store locater guide. Ancient Harvest is one brand name to try. You can also order them online.

[vancouverAJ]

awesome, thanks LibbyD!

We have a whole foods here [LOVE it there] but for some reason, I dunno why I couldn't find it. I'll buy it in bulk too...much better that way =)

Thanks again =)

[recipelover]

Just copying in a recipe:

Cranberry Almond Quinoa, P2 [from redrox]

This was in my Berkley Heart Labs monthly newsletter. If you can't find unsweetened dried cranberries (Craisins are highly sweetened for instance), maybe try some chopped dried apricots instead of the optional raisins they list.

With the crisp autumn air nipping at your nose, the sounds of colorful leaves crunching underfoot and the warmth of a fire blazing in the hearth, come home to the rich aromas of cinnamon, roasted almonds and spicy orange. And as we get ready to celebrate family and friends with a Thanksgiving feast, bring our new Cranberry Almond Quinoa to the table. Quinoa, a hearty grain, is rich in protein, fiber, iron and phosphorus. Combined with spices, a touch of tart orange, and a handful of heart-healthy almonds and cranberries, guests will thank you for offering this flavorful side dish.

Ingredients
1 cup uncooked quinoa, well rinsed
2 cups water or vegetable stock
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
3 tablespoons fresh-squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest (grated orange peel)
1/4 cup unsweetened dried cranberries or raisins
2 tablespoons slivered almonds (toasted)
Freshly chopped mint or parsley to garnish

Procedure
Preheat oven to 350 degrees (if toasting almonds in oven).

Place the quinoa in a strainer and rinse well under cold running water. In a saucepan, bring water with a 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Add quinoa. Cover, turn the heat down to medium low, and simmer for 20 minutes.

While the quinoa is cooking, place the almonds on a baking sheet and bake in your oven or toaster oven for 8 minutes or until they turn golden brown. You can also toast in a sauté pan on medium heat. Stir nuts often to avoid burning them.

Remove the quinoa from heat; fluff with a fork. Add spices, orange juice, orange zest and cranberries to the quinoa and stir with a fork until well combined. Add the almonds and parsley
or mint.

[rhales199]

this recipe was just posted by my friend MY_Agreement on Sparkpeople--- looks yummy....*i think it could be good for breakfast, dessert, or maybe even as a side dish... should be perfect as part of a holiday meal! **honey is limited on SB, you could use SF syrup instead

It's more of an idea than a recipe, one that I found on a website called heathereatsalmondbutter.com. Here's how she said she made it:
"I cooked up 1/2 cup quinoa with 1 and 3/4 cup water and a dash of salt on the stove-top. When almost all the water had been absorbed, I uncovered and stirred in about 1/3 cup canned pumpkin, heaping tsp raw **honey, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla. I then covered it again, removed from heat, and let it thicken up for about 5 minutes. Added a spoonful of raw tahini, and it was really good." (There's a nice picture on her blog of it, too.)

So I used 1 cup of dry quinoa, and I added a cup of pumpkin, 4 tsp. maple syrup (use SF), 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 tsp of vanilla, a little salt, and 1 oz. of chopped pecans. No tahini. Oh, and I also added a bit more water so it turned out more like a risotto, very creamy. Next time I might make a drier version.

[NFHSLH]

I just lent my 1st book out it quinoa good for phase 1?

[rhales199]

I just lent my 1st book out it quinoa good for phase 1?

no, as it is a grain and grains aren't allowed in P1. However, you can look forward to having some once you get to P2.

I've never yet tried it....I need to someday!

[NFHSLH]

Thanks I couldn't remember.

[living_out_loud]

Oriental Scallop Quinoa

I modified this recipe quite a bit and it is one of my family's favourites. This recipe would be equally good vegetarian or with any type of meat.

1 1/2 cups quinoa
1 package bay scallops, rinsed and dried
2 tsp olive oil
1 diced onion
2 stalks diced celery
2 cloves crushed garlic
1 green and 1 red pepper diced
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
3 tbsp sf teriyaki sauce or soy sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tsp agave or sugar sub
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp sesame oil

Cook quinoa as directed. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, stir in scallops and continue cooking. Stir fry veggies on medium high heat until tender. Stir in quinoa/scallops along with remaining ingredients. Cook on low hear, stirring gently, just until heated through.