Foo - Quinoa

I'm trying this stuff tonight for the first time. Definitely kinda weird looking. Anyone else ever try it?

huh?

I had some from Eden brands recently, it was pretty good.

Hmmm - not sure I made it right. Is it supposed to be slightly crunchy when its done or is it under cooked?

Siu - its a grain thats supposed to be really good and really good for you. I'd heard about it recently a few times and ran across it at the grocery store tonight so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Its supposed to be a very high quality protein source...

When I cooked it, it was soft, like oatmeal. It's good stuff and pretty flexible. For breakfast, some brown sugar and raisins or butter and salt. For dinner, throw some shrimp and andouille sausage on it.

Heh, I just read the wikipedia article (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa) about it. Sounds interesting...

Hmmm - not sure I made it right. Is it supposed to be slightly crunchy when its done or is it under cooked?

Siu - its a grain thats supposed to be really good and really good for you. I'd heard about it recently a few times and ran across it at the grocery store tonight so I thought I'd give it a whirl. Its supposed to be a very high quality protein source...


you did it right, raven. It has a very subtle "snap" (more that than a "crunch") when it's cooked right. I love this stuff- it's great for stuffing peppers with, BTW. And it has one of the highest and best protein profiles of all the grains. But yeah, it is kinda weird looking, isn't it?

I love it! I frequently use it as a substitute for rice. I don't think it's supposed to be slightly crunchy though... :p

Keep repeating:

"The Mother Grain....The Mother Grain....The Mother Grain"

If pressed I could remember some quinoa taboulleh I used to make....

went sumtin' like

quinoa, cooked, rinsed, chilled
spelt or wheat berries, CRC
smoked trout, flaked
Texas red grapefruit, segemented
EVOO
chives, scallions and/or just about any fresh herb you have
S&P, or LS soy and chile flakes
mo' stuff that I can't remember....

toss, put on endive leaves, eat.



Or just use it like rice. I love the stuff...it is particularly compatible with juices from roasted fowl or red meats, which is kinda weird, since it has a big following in the veggie community. I usually put it with something crisp or chewy, since it can be a little mushy if not cooked right (REAL easy to do.)
We used to say........"Not just quinoa.......quinWOW (keenWOW)"

Chefs are often hurtin' for material.

When I cooked it, it was soft, like oatmeal. It's good stuff and pretty flexible. For breakfast, some brown sugar and raisins or butter and salt. For dinner, throw some shrimp and andouille sausage on it.


Yep- it does make a nice hot cereal, and is a great substitute for rice in a pilaf.

Ooooooooh sounds good. I'll go look for it. Thanks! :)

Jeez y'all post fast

Ooo- quinoa tabbouleh! I hadn't thought of that- sounds great! I make a wheat berry salad that's pretty good- quinoa might work in that too, although I love the chewiness of the wheat berries:
Cooked wheat berries
Seasoned rice vinegar (available in Asian or most large supermarkets)
Extra virgin olive oil
Dried cranberries
Walnut pieces
Diced scallions, carrots, and red bell pepper
Salt and pepper to taste.

Mix everything and let it sit overnght to blend the flavors. Goes great with any protein or just as is.

Jeez y'all post fast


We must be hungry :D

ah loves my wheatberries, too

Love it! And no, it shouldn't be crunchy, unless that's how you want it.
I like making stuffed bell peppers with it.

The wife of a former bandmate is a phenomenal chef, & the first time I tasted quinoa it was in one of her dishes...something with tomatoes & fresh basil & I-don't-know-what-else, but it was spectacular!

So I tried to make it myself, and, um, well, it...was...not spectacular.

I love it! I frequently use it as a substitute for rice. I don't think it's supposed to be slightly crunchy though... :p


Heh - guess I undercooked it then. I'm not exactly the master chef. ;)

I had it once....it had a bitter aftertaste. Did I do something wrong?

I had it once....it had a bitter aftertaste. Did I do something wrong?


Did you rinse it first? As to texture, I've found that when cooked "properly" (the germ ring is visible), quinoa does have a slight "snap" to it- not crunch, but a very pleasant, almost al dente feel to it. Here's (http://www.recipesource.com/fgv/beans-grains/quinoa-cooking-instructions1.html) a good basic recipe.

Did you rinse it first? As to texture, I've found that when cooked "properly" (the germ ring is visible), quinoa does have a slight "snap" to it- not crunch, but a very pleasant, almost al dente feel to it. Here's (http://www.recipesource.com/fgv/beans-grains/quinoa-cooking-instructions1.html) a good basic recipe.

That describes how mine was actually.

Another grain worth looking into, BTW, is millet. When cooked, it's like tiny golden pearls, sort of like couscous. Also makes one hell of a fine muffin (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Millet-Muffins/Detail.aspx).

Also try bulger wheat. Also very good for you. I eat it every day.

I'm trying this stuff tonight for the first time. Definitely kinda weird looking. Anyone else ever try it?

I've had it before. I have friends from Bolivia who introduced me to it. It's pretty good, and not too hard to find here.

Ooo- quinoa tabbouleh! I hadn't thought of that- sounds great! I make a wheat berry salad that's pretty good- quinoa might work in that too, although I love the chewiness of the wheat berries:
Cooked wheat berries
Seasoned rice vinegar (available in Asian or most large supermarkets)
Extra virgin olive oil
Dried cranberries
Walnut pieces
Diced scallions, carrots, and red bell pepper
Salt and pepper to taste.

Mix everything and let it sit overnght to blend the flavors. Goes great with any protein or just as is.

That sounds really good! I am going to try it.

I used to make my own using bulger wheat. Now I just buy the Joseph's or Cedar's tabbouleh (or tabouli) and add a pint of cut up cherry tomatoes. Its part of my lunch everyday.

Did you rinse it first? As to texture, I've found that when cooked "properly" (the germ ring is visible), quinoa does have a slight "snap" to it- not crunch, but a very pleasant, almost al dente feel to it. Here's (http://www.recipesource.com/fgv/beans-grains/quinoa-cooking-instructions1.html) a good basic recipe.


Yes, I did rinse it thoroughly. I could see the germ ring as well. The texture was good. It just had a nasty bitterness. Maybe I should try it again.

I used to make my own using bulger wheat. Now I just buy the Joseph's or Cedar's tabbouleh (or tabouli) and add a pint of cut up cherry tomatoes. Its part of my lunch everyday.


Yep- bulghur (bulger, bulgar, whatever :D) is great stuff- like a smaller wheat berry (actually milled from the berries so no wonder...). THe prepackaged tabbouleh mixes are excellent, IMO- just add veggies and you're good to go. I like it with a side of thick yogurt mixed with cucumber, dill, and garlic. But only when I don't have a meeting afterward :p

Yes, I did rinse it thoroughly. I could see the germ ring as well. The texture was good. It just had a nasty bitterness. Maybe I should try it again.

You should! Maybe you got a bad batch. Or, a worm or moth (hey, it happens!) :eek:

If it aint pie Im not eating it.

Ya know, I was about to say- what are doin' talking about healthy stuff??? There was a report on NPR this morning that the original recipe, banana-cream-filled Twinkie is about to be re-released. Life is indeed good.

Ya know, I was about to say- what are doin' talking about healthy stuff??? There was a report on NPR this morning that the original recipe, banana-cream-filled Twinkie is about to be re-released. Life is indeed good.
Which means that deep-fried banana-creme-filled Twinkies cannot be far behind.

I kid thee not, deep-fried Twinkies do exist, at least at the California State Fair the last three years or so. Even with my unbelieveably bad eating habits, I can't bring myself to try one. When they come of the frier, I swear they look like a giant tumor.:eek:

Quinoa and tabouli are healthy? Gah!!!

Ya know, I was about to say- what are doin' talking about healthy stuff??? There was a report on NPR this morning that the original recipe, banana-cream-filled Twinkie is about to be re-released. Life is indeed good.

Some of us have to eat stuff that's good fer for us (grumble grumble). But hey, if it taste good too its all good.

Made my 2nd batch today at lunch. Was a bit fluffier but still had a very very slight texture to it. I just added a bit of garlic salt, olive oil, a black pepper. It was pretty good. I'd like to try some sweeter/cereal/breakfast type recipes next I think.

I kid thee not, deep-fried Twinkies do exist, at least at the California State Fair the last three years or so.

Oh, they do here on the East Coast too.


Even with my unbelieveably bad eating habits, I can't bring myself to try one. When they come of the frier, I swear they look like a giant tumor.:eek:

Or they give you one :D And we wonder why there's an obesity epidemic... :rolleyes:

Some of us have to eat stuff that's good fer for us (grumble grumble). But hey, if it taste good too its all good.

Made my 2nd batch today at lunch. Was a bit fluffier but still had a very very slight texture to it. I just added a bit of garlic salt, olive oil, a black pepper. It was pretty good. I'd like to try some sweeter/cereal/breakfast type recipes next I think.


Cool- sounds like you were spot on! It's great with brown sugar, raisins, nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans are good) and cinnamon for breakfast. Sort of like a poor man's McCann's steel cut oatmeal (not that that's overly expensive- it just takes forever to cook).

mmm...steel cut oats are yummy. slightly nutty texture, and don't take as long to cook if you let them soak overnight.

YUM! Excellent summer fare.

It's okay. I like rice better.

I uh........don't think we have that here in Nebraska. Unless of course quinoa is just fancy talk for beef.:p

The only quinoa I've had is sprouted, which I think is the healthiest way you can possibly have ti! :) I haven't tried sprouted quinoa in a tabouli mix, but now I really want to try it! I've also had sprouted wheatberries which are surprisingly sweet. :) Over the weekend, we stopped in Tahoe City (my new favorite town) and I was pleased to find that there was a natural foods store that sold kombucha! Yay! There was also a little cafe inside the store that had a few raw items! Yay!! :D I got myself a yummy "Raw-co" (raw taco) and sprouted lentil daal. It was soooo yummy! I bet sprouted quinoa would be perfect in it! Now i know what I want to make for dinner tomorrow night! :D

The only quinoa I've had is sprouted, which I think is the healthiest way you can possibly have ti! :) I haven't tried sprouted quinoa in a tabouli mix, but now I really want to try it! I've also had sprouted wheatberries which are surprisingly sweet. :) Over the weekend, we stopped in Tahoe City (my new favorite town) and I was pleased to find that there was a natural foods store that sold kombucha! Yay! There was also a little cafe inside the store that had a few raw items! Yay!! :D I got myself a yummy "Raw-co" (raw taco) and sprouted lentil daal. It was soooo yummy! I bet sprouted quinoa would be perfect in it! Now i know what I want to make for dinner tomorrow night! :D


Sprouted wheat berries and quinoa- what a concept!:D That sounds fabulous- thanks for the tip Shad! Have you ever had sprouted mustard seed? Nice and spicy- great addition to a hummus sandwich.

wow - you guys eat ridiculously healthy.... :) ;)

Oh yeah - I'm the one who started this. Doh.

I have to admit, one of the best things I ever had was due to being a bachelor and having next to nothing in the house to eat. I diced up an avocado extra fine, put it on toasted whole wheat bread with sunflower seeds and spicey brown mustard. The oddest bachelor concoction in the world, but d@mn did it taste good. :) (that has to rate up there with me setting my socks on fire by trying to dry them in the microwave - DOH!)

is awesome.

Quinoa rocks

wow - you guys eat ridiculously healthy.... :) ;)

Oh yeah - I'm the one who started this. Doh.

I have to admit, one of the best things I ever had was due to being a bachelor and having next to nothing in the house to eat. I diced up an avocado extra fine, put it on toasted whole wheat bread with sunflower seeds and spicey brown mustard. The oddest bachelor concoction in the world, but d@mn did it taste good. :) (that has to rate up there with me setting my socks on fire by trying to dry them in the microwave - DOH!)


Yep - see what you started? :p

BTW, your avocado sandwich shows up in virtually every box lunch I have at meetings- it's very popular (and damn tasty, I might add!).