Quinoa... (Quinoa)
Posted by pinkerbell03 on Mar 02, 2008 · Member since Mar 2007 · 850 posts
I decided I'd attempt making quinoa for the first time. Yeah, that didn't happen. I've been told that it's OK to cook in a rice cooker, so that's what I tried to do. I don't know what happened, but there was a really nasty smell, and quinoa was bubbling out the sides, I had to throw it all away.
What's w/ the smell? It was really gross :boooo: Anyone have any quinoa wisdom for me? Thanks!!
Quinoa does have kind of a distinct smell (and taste!), but it shouldn't smell bad.....
Have you had quinoa before?
Maybe you could try making it old school in a pot on the stove. It's really easy. I've never had any problems that way. Sorry your first quinoa attempt didn't work out! Don't give up! Quinoa is an awesome grain.
I believe you're supposed to rinse it heavily before cooking because of a coating on the seed hull. Also, I've read where it was suggested to dry saute it in a heavy skillet instead of rinsing, for the same reason.
There are others here with more experience with quinoa but you might want to research what I've suggested.
Good luck.
I have never tried quinoa before either--good call posting a "help" thread! I think I'll pick some up the next time I go shopping--how do you eat it? With a sauce? by itself? Is it like pasta or couscous? I need help too!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/Kali_Ma/Quinoa.jpg
Yes, definitely rinse it. Quinoa has soem kind of naturally-occuring bitter shtuff on the outside. I'm not sure if that would smell, though.
It is not really like pasta or couscous. It is more like a hearty grain. Closer to rice in terms of how you use it. I usually just eat it plain, or with salt, or in a pilaf or cold salad or something. You can also make quinoa muffins!
If you cook it in a pan how much water to quinoa should you use?
Rinse a cup of quinoa well, though some is pre rinsed. Bring two cups of water to a boil. Add the one cup quinoa, lower heat and cover. Simmer the water away! It takes about fifteen minutes. It is actually a seed and was a staple of the ancient Incas. It's high in protein and has a balance of all eight essential amino acids. It also has vitamin E, riboflavin, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc.
It is delicious plain or with savoury additions as well as with maple syrup, nuts, dried fruit and cinnamon & nutmeg. Yum. :)>>>
So what are you waiting for? Go make some! ;)
i just cook mine in a pot. my package says 2/3 c water to ever 1/3 cup of quinoa. i cook it like rice (but i have no rice cooker)
I have never tried quinoa before either--good call posting a "help" thread! I think I'll pick some up the next time I go shopping--how do you eat it? With a sauce? by itself? Is it like pasta or couscous? I need help too!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v332/Kali_Ma/Quinoa.jpg
WHOA! :o My quinoa is super tiny, it reminds me of birdseed actually. That is HUGE! Uh-oh, am I getting the wrong kind?
my quinoa is tiny too
i just got red quinoa! i am very excited...
i just got red quinoa! i am very excited...
I bought some red quinoa today too!
I went to an awesome restaurant last weekend that served quinoa plates- It was a plate of quinoa mixed with SUNFLOWER SEEDS plus grilled tofu (or some other gross protein...) and your choice of 3 veggies. AMAZING! My point is that quinoa is great with sunflower seeds!
I just cook mine in rice cooker. It comes out fine. I use the same measurement like to cook the rice!.
Since quinoa is the first word in the title, I decided to tell you about this recipe in this thread but I could have easily put it in the red lentil thread too.
I made the "Quinoa and Red Lentil Cutlets" last night. http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/11/trying-on-thanksgiving.html
Actually, it was a two day "project" because I cooked the quinoa and red lentils night before last and it was taking so long for it to cool down that I had a quick unchicken patty and steamed veggies for dinner that night and finished the recipe the last night. It's really good! Even my DH thought they were good and he hasn't liked quinoa in any of the other ways I've fixed it. ;)b
I just had quinoa last night for dinner. I put a cup of quinoa in a pot with a cup of veg broth, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of black beans (drained) half a pack of taco seasoning I found, 4 Tb nut yeast, salt & pepper, & garlic powder & let it simmer while I took a shower. I came out to a saucy risotto type mixture that I then poured hot sauce on & ate straight out of the pot haha
But it was cheap, easy, yummy, & nutritious.
I also made some collards greens but I had the temp too high on them so they burnt & stuck to the pan while I was in the shower. I still ate them
I just had quinoa last night for dinner. I put a cup of quinoa in a pot with a cup of veg broth, a can of diced tomatoes, a can of black beans (drained) half a pack of taco seasoning I found, 4 Tb nut yeast, salt & pepper, & garlic powder & let it simmer while I took a shower. I came out to a saucy risotto type mixture that I then poured hot sauce on & ate straight out of the pot haha
But it was cheap, easy, yummy, & nutritious.
I also made some collards greens but I had the temp too high on them so they burnt & stuck to the pan while I was in the shower. I still ate them
Oh snap lisa! That sounds awesome. I'm totally on it.
You gotta rinse quinoa or it's just not pretty. As for health stuff.. unlike wheat or rice, quinoa has a balanced set of essential amino acids, it's an unusually complete food. it takes less quinoa protein to meet one's needs than wheat protein. good source of dietary fiber, phosphorus, high in magnesium & iron, gluten free and easy to digest.
to cook, bring two cups of water to a boil with one cup of quinoa, cover, put at low simmer for abour 15 minutes or until the germ separates from the seed. The cooked germ looks like a tiny curl and should have a slight bite to it (like al dente pasta)
i use it similar to rice use it for breakfast as a porridge. On cold salads mixed. the more u eat it the more u will find it goes with many other foods.
I thnk it depends on the quinoa. I buy it in a light blue box & the directions don't say to rinse it so I never have & it turns out fine. Maybe if I bought it from a bulk bin I would rinse it first.
I'm eating raw for a while, can it be sprouted? or can I just add some water to it and eat it that way. Sounds like an interesting grain.
I'm having an acute attack of link-itis today.
You can make this:
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-and-Black-Beans/Detail.aspx
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You can also cook your quinoa with part rice--it gives it a nice flavor and texture without being overwhelmingly quinoa. I use 1/3 to 1/2 quinoa and the rest brown basmati rice (or white rice) and cook it just as you would the rice. Don't use short grain brown rice unless you plan to add the quinoa in the final fifteen minutes of cooking.
And definitely rinse it. I usually rinse it in a big pot of water and drain it at least three times. The water should not be cloudy.
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