Recently someone suggested quinoa as a great source of iron, as I was looking to boost the iron in my son’s diet. Since that 
suggestion I have been on such a quinoa kick! Quinoa is a very nutritionally packed grain, that has such versatility. My first attempt at cooking quinoa, I just followed the instructions on the box, although I used vegetable stock, rather than chicken stock or water to cook it in. I was surprised by the delicious distinct flavor. Next I tried a breakfast quinoa recipe with apples, cinnamon and honey, which was equally as delicious, and a nice alternative to the typical oatmeal.
Now that I have a few quinoa options under my belt, I have found that quinoa is very versatile. While shopping at Whole Foods a week ago, I discovered quinoa flakes and quinoa flour. The quinoa flakes are a great instant version of quinoa for breakfast, which cook in only 90 seconds. The quinoa flour is a gluten free flour option that can be used in baking for cookies, muffins, breads, etc.
I love that quinoa is such a totally healthy and versatile grain. Since I have added quinoa to my diet I have actually found many store-bought items with quinoa as one of the ingredients. I have found whole grain O’s cereal from Whole Foods that has quinoa as an ingredient. I have also found quinoa bread from Trader Joe’s. Today I ate lunch out at the local market and had quinoa curry soup full of yummy root vegetables. It’s funny to think that this little grain has been out there forever and I have just now discovered it.
I would love to hear if you have some delicious quinoa recipes. I am eager to experiment more with delicious recipes, especially since I have found that my son loves it as much as I do!
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this is a recipe from wholefoods.com
It’s a Quinoa Salad w/ chicken, grapes & almonds. I serve it on lettuce with a little vinagerette dressing. It’s sooo yummy!
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/611
MMMM….thanks Molly, I’m definitely gonna give that a try…maybe this weekend!
So I tried it as a side dish with cod & salad. I put olive oil with some s&p..it was delicious, def something we will incorporate into our meals. great find…thank you!
Rach, I love quinoa also! La used to make a yummy quinoa chili when we lived together. Beans, tomatos, spices..like chili with no meat! It was so delicious. We also used to do quinoa with feta, tomatos, olives, red onions, and shrimp….you can pretty much add anything!
I like to grind it up and add it to my smoothies. I a few months I’ll be adding it to Miss M’s homemade baby foood
Gotta love Quinoa. Good stuff. I just found your awesome blog. Following you now. Come by and visit me sometime too if you want:
www. organicmotherhoodwithcoolwhip.com
Rachel – This is a great salad to take for lunch or as a side-dish for a mexican-style dinner. It’s delicious! I’m going to post the whole recipe because I forget which site I adapted it from….
3/4 cups quinoa; cooked
1 can of black beans (15 oz.), drained & rinsed
1 1/2 tbs. red-wine vinegar (or balsamic vinegar)
1 1/2 cups cooked corn
3/4 cups red onion, diced
1 tsp. ground coriander
DRESSING:
5 tbs. lime juice + 1 tsp. salt + 2 tsp. ground cumin, or to taste + 2 tbs. olive oil
While quinoa is cooking, combine vinegar, beans, corns, onions and coriander in a bowl. Cool quinoa in a separate bowl, then combine with other ingredients.
Whisk together dressing ingredients in small bowl. Stir all ingredients together and refrigerate to allow flavors to marinate.
Rachel,
Try red quinoa, it is my favorite .. the flavor is differnt. Also if you soak it first you can get rid of the slight soapy taste of the white varriety.