Quinoa

[Karmalife]

I have FINALLY entered into the world of this fabulous grain after hearing about it for years and I must say, I'm in love.

I would love to know how many of you eat quinoa and what kind of recipes you have discovered. So far, I have used it as a side to stir-fried vegetables and tofu.

Do you think that the 1/4 cup serving size (uncooked) is too big for one carb portion? I was thinking about cutting back the serving (I'm trying to lose 10 lbs).

Any suggestions or ideas would be great.
Thanks!
Karma

[Lazylifter]

Yep,
I'm a big fan of quinoa, only found out recently its pronounced KIN-WHA. I've been calling it Quin-no-ah.

I like it just as a carb without any sauce, but if you boil it up with onions it taste good.
I personally use less than the recomended serving, about half the uncooked measure. I think it works really well with salmon because it takes about the same time to cook as fish, unlike potatoes that take forever.

[Puffin]

Hey LazyLifter - thanks for the pronunciation, I've seen it but had no idea how to say it!! :-)
I'm going to try it. Can anyone tell me:
is it bland? nutty?
do you use it like couscous?
do you boil or steam it?

[Lazylifter]

Its pretty bland, tastes like noodles I would say, but the texture is a lot harder to explain, like a cross between rice,noodles and cous cous. I think. You boil it for ten minutes although I'm starting to think thats a bit too long.

[Karmalife]

Ten minutes?
Hm. The one I use (which is organic and red- by Ancient Harvest) cooks like this: Add it to water in a pot and bring to a boil. Then lower to simmer and cook for 15 minutes.

I wouldn't say it's bland exactly, and it has bit of a crunch and almost a nutty flavor. It's very filling and just tastes like it's good for you!

[petitebelette]

My mum uses it to bulk up veggie curry. I tend to use it in cous cous style dishes.

[Roxy]

Ooooh I love Quinoa as well!!!! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

[Karen]

the white kind can be kind of blend but the red one is tasty. If I make white quinoa I usually add a couple of drops of sesame oil and some walnuts for the flavor.
My favorite way to eat it is with tomatoes and bean gravy, but I also add chilled quinoa to my salad, or veggi soup.

[almostfit]

I don't know if this is weird but I have it for breakfast and deserts (same thing)... I use it kind of like porridge, with warm berries or mango or apple or banana etc etc. Sometimes I put a splash of soy milk with it.. or some yoghurt if I feel like something creamy.

I also use it to replace rice with stir fries or curries.

If you cook it longer it binds together a little more.. I like it when the rings are just visible so it still has some bite and the grains are very separate.

[Want To Be Toned]

I read it contains more saturated fats than other equivalent foods, anyone else read this at all and does it influence you at all