Daring Dining
Eat Your Quinoa
I have become completely enamored with Quinoa. Have you tried it? It’s a whole grain that can be cooked up as a side dish to be served with that ever-boring chicken breast or grilled salmon that so many of us are eating a lot of at this resolute time of year.
Personally I get a little sick of rice, mashed potatoes and salads. I get a little creative with my meats but I like to keep side dishes simple. The problem is there are only so many simple grains you can eat before you go NUTS and switch back to mac and cheese.
Anywho. Quinoa is a magical food. It’s a whole grain and a complete protein and it’s really simple to cook. It tastes delicious but not as delicious as it feels on your tongue. The texture is amazing.
It was actually easier to cook it the first time than to find it at the grocery store. I was able to locate it in the bulk foods section of Fred Meyer.
An easy preparation:
Rinse and drain well 1 cup of quinoa.
Sautee half a small onion in 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
Add the quinoa and sautee for 3-5 minutes until the quinoa is lightly browned.
Add 1.5 cups of chicken broth and ¼ tsp dry thyme.
Bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until quinoa is soft.
Fluff with a fork and serve.
What fabulous side dishes do you eat with your low-fat chicken breast?
A co-founder of Seattle Mom Blogs, professional blogger Kathryn Thompson writes too much at Daring Young Mom, The Parenting Post, and anywhere else people are willing to read. She enjoys eating cheese and playing high stakes Uno with 4-year-olds. If you’re cute enough, she will probably blow on your tummy unmercifully. You can contact Kathryn by email - kathryn [at] seattlemomblogs.com.
I love quinoa too! I frequently just throw it in the rice cooker and cook it just like rice! You have got to try some of the recipes that Chef Brad has using quinoa. They are scrumptious!
I’ve never tried it, but I will. Couscous is also very yummy and is easier to find at the grocery store. Often they will even have boxed portions of preseasoned varieties. A little more expensive than buying it bulk, but really easy. Toasted pine nut is my favorite, but there is lentil, curry, almond, and many more. Yum!
Another great way to eat quinoa is to prepare it plain, rinse it with cold water, then toss it with some diced tomatoes, drained black beans, a sliced green onion or two, zest of a lime, and a lime/olive oil vinaigrette.
Around here we like couscous, just about any kind of potato, and especially bread lightly olive oiled, broiled and scrubbed with a cut garlic clove. And any kind of salad that includes bacon, like Caesar salad.
i’ve been meaning to try quinoa for awhile now, maybe this will give me the push to buy it. thanks!
Trader Joe’s has it for a great price and you can buy it in bulk at Central Market in Shoreline. They also have black quinoa which is also great! Add green onions, carrots, red pepper and a touch of oil for a very healthy and tasty salad. My 5 year old loves it!
Okay, you’re inspired me to eat it, but could you please (pretty please) tell me how to PRONOUNCE it?
I think it’s pronounced KEEN-wah.
You must have gone to Fred Meyer before me cause it was all gone by the time I got there
I just recently discovered Quinoa. I was watching the food network. They said you can cook it just like rice and only needs to be cooked until the little tail pops out (about 10 - 13 minutes).
I bought some and then my kids spilled about half of it all over the floor.
It’s really cute to hear a five year old say the words, “quinoa isn’t cheap,” at random times.
I have a wonderful recipe for a Quinoa Cilantro Salad posted on my blog.
My entire family begs me to make this for any family event. Enjoy! http://greenrepublican.blogspot.com/2006/06/quinoa-cilantro-salad-bed.html
Mmmm… will definately try it. I use barley in the same recipe (add some mushrooms too -yummy!) Costco has DELISH gourmet dried ’shrooms that work really well in dishes like this. (They are in a tall plastic tub in the produce section. Around $14 I think, and worth every penny.)