Many many moons ago, I started a “series” on here called Great Grains – where I wanted to highlight different grains, talk about their benefits, varieties, uses, etc. Sadly the series remained a post of one (on millet!) for far too long. Luckily that changes now!
Discovering Quinoa – What is it?
Quinoa is an amazing “grain” that is actually a pseudo-cereal. But that sounds weird, so most people call it a grain. It is shaped like small flat discs and comes in the traditional (yellow) grain, the nuttier red variety, and a very hard to find black quinoa!
Many people don’t know that it is actually closer in relation to vegetables like Swiss chard and beets than it is to grains (like brown rice). It is an ancient grain well known for originating in the Aztec and Incan cultures. While dry quinoa can sometimes be mistaken for other grains, it is easy to identify when cooked because of the tiny tails that it sprouts.
Health Benefits
The reason quinoa is so popular among vegans and vegetarians is that it is one of the handful of vegetarian sources of complete protein, meaning that it includes all nine of the essential amino acids that we get from food. It is also a great source of iron, magnesium, and many other important vitamins and nutrients. Another great benefit to quinoa over some other whole grains is that it is gluten-free!
How to Prepare Quinoa
The most important step when cooking quinoa, is actually the step you take before you cook it: rinsing. Dry quinoa has a bitter, soapy residue so you need to rinse it in a sieve with small holes before cooking. Just rinsing for a minute or two under cold water should do the trick.
On the stovetop, add 1 cup dry quinoa to 1.75 cups liquid, bring up to a simmer and cook covered for 15-20 minutes or until fluffy and tender. The seeds will sprout tails, and you will know it is done! Then season and serve on its own, or mixed together with beans, veggies, or tofu – the possibilities are endless with this versatile grain.
Using Quinoa in Recipes
If you are looking for some fun way to use quinoa in recipes, here are a few of my personal favorites…
Apple Cinnamon Cranberry Quinoa
Or Quinoa Tabouli!
![IMG_4441 (800x600)[3]](http://www.dailygarnish.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/IMG_4441-800x6003.jpg "IMG_4441 (800x600)[3]")
Or you can try my latest favorite way to prepare it…
One-Pot Quinoa & Greens
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dry quinoa (red or yellow)
- 1.75 cups water
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/2 pound cooking greens (turnip, collard, Swiss chard, etc.)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: I make this dish at least twice a week in my rice cooker. It is such a fast and easy way to make a balanced and complete meal with just the push of a button and only one dish to clean! (You can also make it on the stovetop – just use a medium saucepan and cover to cook for 15-20 minutes.)
Add rinsed quinoa to the rice cooker bowl or saucepan.
I LOVE this Southern Greens Blend of cooking greens from Trader Joe’s. When you need something in a pinch, it is so nice to have greens that are already torn and washed.
Add half the bag (or 1/2 pound of greens) to the pot – it will seem like a LOT, but I promise it will cook down.
Pour in 1.75 cups water…
And add a little coconut oil or other oil of your choice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to season.
If you cook this in the rice cooker, this is as easy as pressing GO (on the quick-cooking setting). If you cook on the stovetop, simmer until the quinoa is tender underneath.
When you open the lid you will see delicious, cooked greens on top!
And find nutty, red quinoa all cooked and ready on the bottom.
Adjust any additional seasoning as needed, and then serve and enjoy!
If you haven’t tried quinoa already, I’d definitely suggest you give it a try the next time you head to the grocery store. You can find it at most grocery stores, as well as specialty health food stores (and Trader Joe’s!). This is definitely one delicious pseudo-cereal that you should have in your kitchen.
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Trader Joe’s has the best red quinoa! I love it with some wilted spinach and mesquite.
Glad you’re bringing back the series :) It sounds great!
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Great post! I just started cooking with quinoa and I love it! I’m not a huge fan of it as leftovers yet but a nice fresh bowl of it lasts a good 5 seconds infront of me! =)
Thanks for the tip about rinsing in a sieve! I need to pick one up for sure =)
xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
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I literally GASPED when I read to rinse quinoa before cooking!! I have it at least once a week (vegetarian) and I’ve never rinsed it! Now I will… :)
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Makes SUCH a difference!!
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Natalia - a side of simple Reply:
February 13th, 2011 at 1:38 pm
I’ve never rinsed it before either! If I liked it then, I can only imagine how much better it will taste when rinsed. :) Now I’m excited to try it prepared the correct way…
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Mmmh… I really like Tabouli, but I only ever had it with couscous. Really need to try quinoa now!
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I got the frozen kind at Trader Joe’s. Have you tried that yet? It seems to be a quick lunch option for work (looks like it has various veggies).
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
I have seen that but I haven’t tried it. Since I eat lunch at home I figure I have no excuse but to cook it. :)
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Leah Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Ah yes! That’s one thing I miss about my old job (I went home every day for lunch). The cool thing is–even though I’m in an office we have a full kitchen. :) I’ll have to try buying quinoa (regular) at Trader Joe’s. Good tip, and I’ve passed on the recipes here to a friend with a gluten allergy.
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Hi! Quick question…is the water to quinoa ratio the same as water to rice in the rice cooker? This is minus the greens. Would the same ratio apply to millet? Thanks!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
They all have different ratios. Rice is 2:1 and millet is 3:1!
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Thanks for doing this post! I bought a bag of quinoa about 2 weeks ago and have done NOTHING with it because I have no idea what to do with it! I will try out your recipes!
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Quinoa is my favorite “grain”!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:15 pm
Casey’s favorite too! :)
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I JUST had that TJ’s Greens blend last night, except I just steamed mine with a bit of broth and olive oil. Quinoa is my favorite grain, I must say. Love your tips and info!
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Thanks for the how-to on this! I am planning to make a quinoa dish soon so this was helpful!
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I LOVE quinoa! It is my favorite, even moreso than amaranth! I love the flavor, and I just sprouted a bunch:) I’d never had sprouted grains before, they’re so refreshing!
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I love quinoa. I love all the different things you can do with it. Your quinoa and greens recipe looks great.
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I’ve tried quinoa as a side dish and salad topping before and it was delicious. But I wonder, because its a grain is there a baking use for it? Like some kind of way to make a protein-y bread or bar? I’ve never seen anything like that, but I was just wondering!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Aha! I forgot that I had a quinoa bar recipe. I just added it to the post – three grain chewy energy bars. They are DELICIOUS!
http://www.dailygarnish.com/recipes?recipe_id=6000055
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Great post! I’m obsessed with quinoa! I used to buy mine all the time at TJ’s but discovered a 4lb bag of yellow quinoa at Costco for a ridiculously low price (6-8$ if I remember correctly. Nuts, I know).
Yum!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Reason #465 that I need a Costco membership…
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Casey Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
Ohhh I know — I went with a friend who actually HAS a membership, and we worked some sketchy magic in the checkout line to make it appear as if she was buying my groceries. It was a little stressful (and possibly criminal…), but totally worth it!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
I’m definitely willing to be shady now and then. :)
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I’m a quinoa fan! I haven’t tried the red variety yet though, I should get on that!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
The red is the BEST. TJ’s has it!
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I love quinoa! I really need to try the red variety too, but it’s a bit harder for me to find. I’m loving that last recipe – just greens and quinoa…sounds delicious!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:17 pm
I actually like the red a lot better (which shows in my recipes!). It’s a little nuttier and has more crunch.
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Cool, I would have never thought to cook the greens directly in the rice cooker!
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Have you not learned that you can do EVERYTHING in the rice cooker? :) (kidding)
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Julie Reply:
February 12th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
I’ve got this recipe going in my rice cooker right now. Can’t wait to eat it! Thanks for the recipe. I would love to read more of your rice cooker creations!
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I love to use broth instead of water to cook my quinoa. It gives it SO much taste. Also, I don’t have a sieve or anything, so I use a couple paper towels in a regular strainer. It’s a bit messy but it works!
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Thanks for this – I admit to be intimidated by quinoa! You have assuaged my fears!
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Those little tails still freak me out, but I did buy some (grown locally in my state!) to try Angela’s quinoa cereal recipe- and I didn’t hate it! I think the key for a savory dish will be to try rinsing it. Plus I’m armed with a TON more recipes for success this time!
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This is great and the quinoa and greens recipe sounds great! I only tried quinoa for the first time a few weeks ago and I loved it! I didn’t rinse it because I didn’t realize I should. I did cook a large batch so that I’d have it available. I cooked it in veggie broth which really made it tasty. It lasted in the fridge for about a week. It was so great to have the grain ready when I was ready to make dinner. Thanks, Emily!
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Thank you so much for the detailed post on quinoa!I’ve considered making it for a while, but haven’t had the guts to do it. Plus, I wasn’t exactly sure how to prepare or use it. Maybe it was a good idea that I waited since I didn’t know about rinsing.
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Quinoa is actually one of my all time favorites! It is so versatile between sweet and savory! I love that it is such a great protein too…makes it perfect in my book!
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I have recently discovered my absolute LOVE of quinoa. I tried it once a couple months ago but I didn’t rinse it first. So of course it tasted terrible. Then when I read that you have to rinse it, the lightbulb went off. I rinsed it and tried the Teriyaki Quinoa recipe from Eat, Drink and Be Vegan and it’s my new favorite go to lunch! (I use my rice cooker too!)
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I love quiona and I have made your quiona and bean chowder and loved it. I heard from the guy at the HF store who actually laughed at me when I told him I hated rinsing my quiona. He says you don’t have to rinse it. I told him it says to on the package. Anyway we argued it jokingly for a minute. I decided to try not rinsing and there was no difference in the flavor. Not sure if it’s just the brand I buy or if it’s a myth.
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
It can definitely be very bitter un-rinsed, but of course it depends from batch to batch.
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by ZiziKalandjai and hungrybuds, Emily Malone. Emily Malone said: New post! Great Grains: Discovering Quinoa. http://goo.gl/fb/4jZMW [...]
I haven’t added greens to my grains in the rice cooker. Great idea! I’m cuckoo for quinoa. Love it for breakfast, cold on salads and with any kind of bean.
I’m into higher raw right now, and sprouting, so this weekend I’ll be sprouting quinoa for the first time!
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I recently discovered quinoa and I am so glad I did. Thanks for the recipes all in one spot as I have been trying to come up with one to make. :)
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Thanks for sharing so much helpful information! I had no idea there was black quinoa or that it is more closely related to vegetables than grains!!
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I tried black quinoa recently and think it’s pretty much like the red one! I’ve cooked with yellow and red and like the red a little better because it doesn’t fly around as much once cooked (those buggers are very fluffy!). I’m growing to like the stuff a lot and am using it to make salads, mostly.
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
I’m trying the black this weekend – very excited!
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If you can believe it my little cow town of Prescott, AZ has black quinoa! Red and black are my favorite for some reason white quinoa seems to get mushier and smells a little like broccoli, am I crazy?
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 5:26 pm
I totally agree with you, and you are not crazy. The white definitely gets mushier, and has a distinct smell. I haven’t had black yet, but I’m trying it this week – very excited!
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Sadly, I have never had quinoa! I get a bit nervous about cooking with new foods :) I think it’s cool that it’s closer to a vegetable than it is a grain! I’m definitely going to give a try one day :D
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I looove quinoa. I personally prefer the brown to the red though… love the mush factor of the brown! :)
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I love quinoa! It was sooo tasty when I first tried it, and it has come in great handy since I discovered I was gluten intolerant. It’s sort of hard to explain to people what it is, but now I can just e-mail them a link to this article. Thanks!
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I LOVE quinoa, especially red, and I’m always looking for new recipes and these are great! I love that it’s so versatile and it’s one of my favorite breakfast foods.
I made a similar recipe recently with spinach and mushrooms. It was delicious! I’ll have to try adding coconut oil next time.
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I love this post! An ode to my favorite grain. It’s so versatile and I love that I feel satiated, but not stuffed or heavy after I eat it. My body recognizes it, absorbs it, and digests it with no issues. I’d go so far as to saying it’s changed my life in that regard, as someone who has some digestive issues. Excited to see what you make with the black quinoa. Enjoy your weekend, Emily!
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I have never eaten quinoa, but just recently bought the white and black versions and am scouring the web for recipe ideas. I just printed off your Apple Cinnamon Cranberry Quinoa and am excited to try it. AND, I absolutely LOVE Recipage. I am just shocked that no one else has thought to do this. It prints out in such a nice format with picture and all. SO handy and y’all should be PROUD of it! It makes the whole process so EASY. :)
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i love quinoa, but i started noticing that it gave me really bad stomach cramping after i would eat it. i tried rinsing it really well, and soaking it before cooking, but nothing stopped the cramping…i wonder why that is. i’ve stopped eating it but i miss it.
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Heather Reply:
February 12th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
The saponin that make the quinoa bitter (which is what you’re trying to remove when you rinse it) is actually a mild toxin. Saponins are what the plant uses to protect itself and keep birds from eating it. People aren’t really affected by it, even if you forget to rinse it. But some people (like me!) can be overly sensitive to it. It makes me dizzy and nauseated. :( It can also be a mild gastrointestinal irritant, which is evidently what you are experiencing. Oddly enough, saponins are also in Mug root beer. They use it to make the root beer more foamy. Weird.
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erica Reply:
February 14th, 2011 at 2:52 am
ah! thanks! i’ve always wondered why quinoa did that to me! :)
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I love quinoa! I’ve never had red quinoa before, but I’d really love to try it. I made your cocoa quinoa a few weeks ago and it was amazing!
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Great post! I’ve got to say, though, I have made quinoa a couple of times, and we just found it pretty bland. The second time I cooked it in broth and that helped, but it seems like everyone here just eats it straight out of the pot and likes it…do you just get used to the taste, or cover it up with lots of salt? Is red quinoa more flavorful? All we’ve ever used is white.
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 12th, 2011 at 7:50 am
Well I am a big salt fan, so I use a lot of salt. But you can also season it with dressings, spices, mix-ins – tons of stuff! Red quinoa is the same flavor, but the texture is a bit chewier (I like it better!).
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I love quinoa and rely on it as a vegetarian! It always fun to see people try and pronounce it for the first time … I had no clue how to say it myself! I love making salads with it and it’s such an easy way to get some good nutrients.
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I love the idea of quinoa and greens. I bet it would be great with rainbow chard. Then saute some tempeh in coconut oil, smoked paprika, and serve on top. Oooh, I know what’s for dinner tomorrow!!
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Great post! I was thinking of buying quinoa for the first time this weekend and now I’m inspired :)
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Great post! I love quinoa. I am so glad you inspired me to try it. I use it instead of rice in many many dishes.
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I’ve been using the red quinoa from Trader Joe’s without rinsing and it’s been delicious. I’m willing to try rinsing to see if there’s a difference.
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I love, LOVE quinoa! It’s pretty much replaced brown rice in our household. I love mixing it with beans, chicken, even almond milk and dried fruit for breakfast! :-)
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mmmm i love quinoa. i want to try your energy bars!
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I love quinoa – it’s by far one of my favorite grains!
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I totally LOVE me some quinoa. Ironically enough I have to do a presentation in a couple weeks on grains, and quinoa might be our star player!
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Emily, I’ve made your Three Grain Chewy Energy Bars before and loved them! I will definitely have to make any batch soon :)
Also, it seems that I really should get me a rice cooker. My friends couldn’t understand why I was so excited when I got a Kitchenaid stand mixer for Christmas. But kitchen appliances make me happy.
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 12th, 2011 at 7:48 am
So glad you like them!!
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It was love at first bite when I tried quinoa. I love the recipe I used first — broccoli pesto w/ quinoa. Fabulous!
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Great post! I love quinoa :)
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I’ve been waiting for Great Grains to reappear! I am a huge grain fan. Keep ‘em coming! Thanks :)
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Wow, what a coincidence! Quinoa has been on my mind too. Did a post on it today before even seeing yours! http://the-fit-gourmet.blogspot.com/2011/02/qui-qui-quinoa.html
What an awesome ingredient.
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I do a variation of this, topped with any Indian-type curry sauce, for breakfast. Crazy, I know. It’s surprisingly fabulous after a run.
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Emily Malone Reply:
February 12th, 2011 at 7:48 am
Oh wow, that sounds delicious. Curry for breakfast? I might have to try that.
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Great post!
I read that quinoa is actually a seed! Pretty interesting stuff. I’m in love with it and I find myself actually craving it. So easy to use, so tasty and so good for you! :)
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Thanks for sharing the benefits and detailed quinoa info. I need to sample some, ASAP!
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You are brilliant and i can’t wait to make this dish! One of my favorite ways to eat quinoa is to mix it with steel cut oats for breakfast. I’m full for HOURS!
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This is a great series! I love both types of quinoa, though I find the red has an “earthier” taste (which is great sometimes!) and the white more mild. I like mixing the red with roasted veggies and using the white for tabbouleh! :)
xo
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quinoa is one of my go-to staples. it’s so easy to jazz it up and make a complete meal in minutes.
hippie food doesn’t make you hippy.
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5lbs of organic rinsed Quinoa is only $10 at Costco. I buy two a month and make all kinds of deliciousness. Going to try it with greens next:-)
I make cookies out of quinoa flakes. Have you used those?
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Quinoa is awesome! I absoulutely love it! Your recipes look so good…must try the soup! Other great ways to serve it is spiced up and stuffed in peppers and mixed in with sauted asparagus and chick peas. :) Great post!
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Quinoa is really my favorite grain out there. I wish it wasn’t so expensive though……lately it’e been 9.99 a lb in my neck of the woods
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Hi, I love your blog! I just sent myself a bunch of your recipes that I’m excited to try. Thank you!
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I am in love with quinoa. I discovered it when I went raw a couple years ago. Note to self, it sprouts REALLY fast.
I’ve never had red quinoa though but I really need to go get some!
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I always make quinoa in my rice cooker–but I had no idea that you could put all the rest of the ingredients in as well!! Thanks! :)
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Excellant post! Quinoa is my grain if choice these days, being a gluten-free vegan, complete protein, easily digestible. I buy white and red and mix them together to cook them. I’ve never seen the black though!
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Quinoa is one of my favorite foods! Great tribute!
I love your blog, and I mentioned it in an interview today. Check it out when you get a chance: http://naptimemomtog.com/2011/02/12/shannon-living-with-the-lowrys-spotlight-17/
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I love this post–I have been eating quinoa twice a week for the past year and am convinced it’s one of the world’s greatest foods. I love that you make it in the rice cooker with the veggies at the same time. I’ve never tried that. i’m also very curious about the bars–never would have though it could be used that way. Great post, Emily! I really do love your blog.
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Quinoa is one of my favorite grains. It’s so versatile and delicious and super healthy. Love it. :D
These recipes sound fantastic! I can’t wait to try some of them out. :D
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I love Quinoa, especially the red stuff! Can’t wait to hear about other types of grains.
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LOVE Quinoa!!! Lately I’ve been using it in place of where I would normally use rice (with stir frys, curries etc), and I can’t wait to try all of these recipes :)
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I LOVE QUINOA! It is so wonderfully versatile!
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Thanks for reminding me of WHY I love QUINOA so much! And for the new ideas to prepare it!
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Hooray for a new Great Grains post! I’ve referred back to your millet post many times and kept wondering when we’d see another one :-).
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I love quinoa and keep trying to convince folks to eat it all of the time. I love finding new ways to serve it. :)
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I’ve heard a lot of good things about Quinoa, so I’ve been wanting to try it. I also read a suggestion somewhere to use quinoa as baby-food, so I’m somewhat intrigued. I need a simple way to make it with few ingredients and no oils for the bébé. I’ll be picking some up on my next trip and coming back to use your suggestions. I’m excited!
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I just made your one-pot dish tonight and LOVED it! I thought it would lack flavor with just a bit of salt and pepper as seasoning, but it didn’t at all! I used half quinoa and half lentils, and used Swiss chard as my greens. I will be making this again – thanks!
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I have made this dish twice – in the rice cooker -and it’s great! Thanks so much for posting recipes. :)
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made this recipe this am and it rocks! thank you!
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I cooked up some white Quinoa with millet tonight for dinner and although I soaked them together for 2 hours I forgot to rinse it before the soaking or after. It is very bitter but I can force myself to eat it but will this be ‘bad’ for me?
Would love to know before I eat more? Thanks for any comments : )
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[...] by Recipage!). This week’s favorites are all made with one of my favorite grains – quinoa! Enjoy. :) « « Previous Post: The Waiting [...]
Yum, just made this tonight and added some sauteed tofu with a little BBQ sauce and it was delicious and healthy. Had it going in the rice cooker while I worked out and I had delicious dinner waiting for me! Thanks so much for this and for showing how great a rice cooker is!
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