Quinoa

3kids

Cathlete
OK, stupid question. Where do I find it and what does it taste like(OK that's 2 questions)? I'm trying to really clean up my eating to lose a few, more than a fewx( , lbs before vacation in April and I wanted to add this to my diet. I can't stand brown rice, no matter what I do to it. Does quinoa taste similiar? And will it be a good substitute as a side dish for brown rice? Sorry so many questions but I'm kinda new to the clean eating, I'm a sugar-holic:-( Thanks for the input. I could use a "Clean Eating for Dummies", do they make such a book:+
 
I really like quinoa, and I find it near the cous cous, rice, etc. in the store. I think it's kind of a cross between cous cous and rice. Less like rice though. And it has kind of a nutty flavor. I cook mine in chicken stock to add flavor, but if you're a vegetarian, you could try cooking it in vegetable broth. I use it as a side with chicken or seafood. I sometimes stirfry some veggies and mix them into it.
 
Hi 3 kids,

I think that quinoa is pretty tasty, and it doesn't taste like brown rice. It's got a very different feel and texture to it (which actually may take some getting used to!), and you can definitely substitute it for rice in recipes. It's also one of the few grains that has decent levels of protein in it. I use it a lot by mixing in sauteed peppers and onions, and you can even add sauce to it.

Do you have a Trader Joe's near you? They carry a brand that comes in a small box that is just the perfect size for trying it out!

:)
 
I don't have Trader Joe's here but we do have Wegman's. I like cous cous, is it kind of the same texture? I also saw some recipes that says to soak it first? Is that true? And thanks for the recipe ideas, I love stir fry:7
 
>I also saw
>some recipes that says to soak it first? Is that true? And
>thanks for the recipe ideas, I love stir fry:7


You don't have to soak it first. It cooks up in about 15-20 minutes without soaking. A particular recipes might call for soaking, if cooking time is short.

One thing to make sure to do is rinse it well. There is a bitter saponin coating on quinoa that tastes quite bitter. Some brands are pre-rinsed, but others aren't.

I'd say the texture is chewier than rice. Kind of like bulgur (used to make tabouleh). It does taste a bit nutty, and a bit 'green.'

I like to mix it with oat bran as a breakfast cereal (oat bran cooks up in only 2 minutes, so I cook up a batch of quinoa with extra water, then when there are only 2 minutes left to cook, I add the oat bran).

Quinoa also works well in pilafs and in tabouleh.
 
We find our quinoa in the bulk section of our store or at the health food store. My 6 y/o DD loves quinoa, as I do, but my 4 y/o DD and DH aren't as fond of it.

I get a magazine that has a recipe for quinoa muffins. I haven't tried it yet, but want to soon.

The flavor of quinoa is unique and hard to describe, but one that I crave and can eat straight out of the fridge with a touch of salt! :9

Good luck and hope you enjoy it!!!

Mary
 
I like the taste of it but make sure you rinse it really good before cooking or it can be bitter. I have it today with a bunch of veggies cut up in it and a little low sodium soy sauce. Yum!

Vicky
 
Thanks all for the input. I'm going to go to Wegmans today and see if I can find it for dinner tonight. Wish me luck:)
 
I cook up mine in broth, usually chicken which gives it a bit of added flavor. I love it...but then again I love brown rice (although I didn't used to.)
 

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