Us “Healthy Living” folk eat a lot of weird things. I know that at first I had no idea what a lot of so called ‘’healthy” foods were. Reading healthy living blogs was like a lesson in new and strange foods! Now, I just take knowing about them and eating them all for granted.
For that reason I decided to start “What’s the Deal Wednesdays”. Every Wednesday I’ll talk about a healthy, or supposedly healthy food. Just the basics really – what the deal is with it and potential recipes you can use it in!
Maybe you’ll learn something new, or get some ideas for a recipe.
Today we’re talking about *QUINOA*
I wanted to start with quinoa, because a lot of people actually do know what it is but don’t know exactly why it’s so good for them or how to prepare it.
What is it?: Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-WAH), though widely considered a grain, is actually a seed related to leafy green vegetables like spinach.
What’s the Deal?: Basically – quinoa is a one stop shop. It is an excellent source of protein, carbs, vitamins and minerals. Not to mention that the protein it supplies is complete protein (which means that it includes all nine essential amino acids). Also, It is gluten free and low in fat.
How does it taste? When it’s cooked it has a light and nutty taste with a slight bite to it. I personally love it. Some feel it can be a bit bland, so here are some ideas to spice it up:
Quinoa Recipes:
Cooking: I usually use 1 cup of quinoa for every 1.25 to 1.5 cups of liquid (using vegetable stock gives it TONS more flavor than water). First, soak the quinoa for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse. Bring liquid to a boil, add quinoa, stir once, lower heat to a simmer, cover and let cook for 12-15 minutes. It’s a bit of a trial and error process to see how much liquid and how much time works for you.
You can use quinoa anywhere you use couscous or even rice. I really like eating quinoa cold mixed with veggies or as a protein-rich salad topper.
Try:
1. Greek Quinoa Salad
Put cooked and cooled quinoa, chopped red onions, cukes, green peppers, kalamata olives and feta (optional) into a bowl. Dress with lemon juice (or red wine vinegar) a couple shakes of dried oregano and a drizzle of EVOO.
2. Sweet Quinoa Salad
Put cooked and cooled quinoa, chopped sweet onion (or shallots), celery, dried cranberries or currants, chopped pineapple, chopped parsley, and crumbled goats cheese (optional) into a bowl and dress with lime juice, a couple squirts of agave nectar, EVOO and salt and pepper to taste.
Or for a warm quinoa meal, give my Lemony Herbed Quinoa a try!
Do you like Quinoa? Any favorite Quinoa recipes?
Research From:
http://whfoods.org
http://www.quinoa.net
February 24th, 2010 at 9:48 am
I adore quinoa! One of my very most favorite things to eat. That quinoa salad looks incredible!
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February 24th, 2010 at 10:01 am
i do like quinoa a LOT! ashley at edible perspective has a rockin’ cold quinoa salad that’s amazing…i could eat it breakfast lunch and dinner
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Janna Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Thanks for the tip, I am going to check it out…now!
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February 24th, 2010 at 10:34 am
I’ve never had quinoa, but it looks so good!
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Janna Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
Definitely give it a try! It’s so yummy, and heathy!
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February 24th, 2010 at 10:41 am
I love this stuff!!!
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February 24th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Great idea for a fun post series! I love quinoa, and that’s saying something because I don’t like most grains. So good. I like mixing it with veggies, black beans, shrimp, and EVOO.
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Janna Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Thanks caronae! That sounds like a delicious combo. Will have to give it a try!
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February 24th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
Quinoa is soo not weird, it’s delish! I love making salads for lunch like the ones you mentioned, or just subbing it in for rice with various things.
I just tested out a “quinoa loaf” recipe and posted it on my site – found it in Whole Foods’ “Whole Deal” newsletter and it came out quite tasty.
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Janna Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Mmm quinoa loaf sounds really good. I’m going to check it out! I should look at the Whole Deal Newsletter more often
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February 24th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I love quinoa! I don’t have the patience to rinse mine (I bought 2 lb a while ago, and it’s not pre washed) so I rarely make it.
That needs to change soon!
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Janna Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 8:46 pm
I mean, in all honesty you don’t HAVE to rinse it. The reason, I believe, is to get rid of a bitter residue. If you’re not liking the taste when cooked, try rinsing. But if it tastes fine without rinsing, then don’t worry about it!
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February 24th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
My mom just called me yesterday because I had told her to buy quinoa and she hated it, added salt, pepper, margarine, horseradish and still thought it was too bland. Your post is timely! I emailed it to her — hopefully she gets some good ideas! The greek quinoa sounds AWESOME!
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February 24th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Quinoa is actually pretty good. The best thing about it is absorbs any and all the flavours you add to it. Janna makes the best lemon herbed quinoa with roasted veggies and when you add a little cheese on top its even better. However a few months ago a went to scoop’ n weigh (bulk food store in the peg) b/c they have some healthy foods. I saw they were selling quinoa flakes a substitute for oatmeal/poridge. so i bought some and went home and whipped up a batch with some goji berries and cinnamon. The end result…. its was soo gross it tasted like bland mushy goop. Even though I had a bad encounter with it its still great in my books!!
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February 25th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
I just came across your blog and I love it! I also am a huge fan of qinoa – such an important grain to have in your daily diet!
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Tasha - The Clean Eating Mama Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
lol – I meant quinoa =)
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Janna Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Thanks Tasha
!!!
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March 7th, 2010 at 10:41 am
[...] exam time, I made myself a GIANT batch of quinoa to have so I wouldn’t have to think of what to make for dinners. I had to get pretty creative [...]
June 25th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
hi janna,
just found your incredible site by following a link from rachel’s astrology blog!
“Keen-Wah” ^_^ is being studied by NASA as a food for cultivation in extended space flight (they prefer not to transport cows and pigs). being such a complete nutritional source, they agree with you that it can be a “one-stop-shop”.
Healthy Weight Loss Diets´s last blog ..Health Bill Passes House
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