This week I asked my mom to share with you a couple of recipes for quinoa. I am amazed when I talk about quinoa, how few people know what it is, let alone eat it on a regular basis! I love quinoa! It is easy to make, tastes good, and is one of the few complete grain proteins! I look forward to hearing some of your other favorite quinoa recipes.
Here is my mom’s post!
Back again…..even though SOME of us did not go cruising, we ALL took a break from cooking, it seems 
.
A few minutes ago I watched Dustin’s video of his and Abby’s “talent” for the talent show on the cruise–impressive, eh?! I don’t know about you, but perseverance comes to mind, watching him keep climbing back on that ball; that, and I’m ready for a hearty recipe for a cruise-sized appetite!
I have just started using quinoa (keen-wa) this past year; when I read about it being a complete protein, it seemed like a grain not to be ignored!
I find mine at Coburns (here in Minnesota) and Trader Joes (where else!); my 14 oz. bag of organic quinoa cost around $3.50 and 1 c. makes 3 c. of cooked grain. I’ll be sharing a couple of very basic recipes, using cooked quinoa; simply following the package instructions for cooking-after rinsing the grain, it cooks up in about 15 min. and is ready for the next step.
Quinoa Pilaf:
3 c. cooked quinoa
1 T. olive oil
1/2 tsp. seasalt
1/2 c. toasted sunflower seeds
1 T. flaxseeds
1 c. finely minced spinach
Mix this all together and serve either warm or chilled.
Like I said, very basic, but this is the first one I tried and it sold me on the grain; one note of caution, it does have a very distinctive flavor that may take some getting used to. The next recipe has some garlic for added flavor.
Quinoa plant
Quinoa with Garlic and Feta Cheese:
1 1/2 c. cooked quinoa
1 tsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, sliced thin
1 c. fresh spinach
1 oz. Feta cheese, crumbled
Saute the garlic in the oil just ’til soft. The recipe didn’t say to mince the spinach, but I did. Mix all together in the frying pan, except the cheese. Extra oil and salt may be used at this stage. Add the Feta cheese just before serving.
One cup of cooked quinoa has 160 calories, 2.5 g. of fat, 30 carbs., 3 g. of fiber, and 6 g. of protein.
This grain can also be substituted in your couscous recipes-I really like it as a salad with fresh lemon juice and diced cukes and tomatoes, etc.
Well, that’s a little jumpstart….I went to www.edenfoods.com and copied a few of their recipes, like: Baked Squash Stuffed with Quinoa & Dried Fruit, Black Bean & Tomato Quinoa, and Mediterranean Quinoa. YUM!!
I look forward to hearing if many of you are into this ancient grain from the Incas….it actually means “the mother grain”.
Okay now Dustin, I’m trying to wait patiently, but when do we get to see those dolphin pictures?? I heard that someone’s life long dream came true, swimming with those babies!
Keep Eating Healthy,
Dustin’s Mom: Joy
For more great healthy recipes, click the links below:
30 Healthy Snacks, 21 Healthy Snacks, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Tofu Pie, Pureed Vegetables, Roasted Veggies, Quinoa, Chicken, Omelet, Pizza, Guacamole, Hummus, Carrot Soup
Share on Facebook
So, this week we’re featuring something that can be a staple in the “healthy kitchen”, is fairly quick to prepare, and can be added to many meals during the week….providing you make a big potful and the whole family isn’t turned on to them! 
