Quinoa help

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #30 on: June 04, 2008, 01:28:11 PM » by Gigi

sunshine4th, when you cook the quinoa, how much water do you add to the pot? I tried this approach and then I added water to the pot to cook it and it was way too watery (had to cook it a long time to remove all the water). Then I thought maybe you don't add any when you go to cook it?

Do you rinse the grains before cooking after they've soaked? I've read that it should be rinsed/drained before cooking. Do you dump off the whey/water mix before you cook? Or is the soaking water/whey ok to cook the grains in?

I've actually really, really been enjoying this every day as a hot cereal, unfortunately every time I cook it it turns out differently and I just haven't come up with the "right" way to do it yet!

I've been soaking the grains with an equal amount of water/yogurt overnight (i.e. one cup quinoa with one cup water). When I cook them, I just dump the grains/water/yogurt mix into the pot along with another equal dose of water, bringing my total grain to water ratio of 1:2 (i.e. another cup of water). Then I bring it to a boil with just a tiny pinch of salt and give it about 10 minutes to soak up/boil off the water.

Is this good or should I be pouring off the soak water first?

Is the correct ratio of quinoa to water 1:2?

Am I really a duffer for not being able to figure this out?

Quote from: sunshine4th on August 29, 2007, 01:23:38 PM

I soak 2 cups of quinoa in 4 cups of water and 4 tbsp. of whey. I usually do this for at least 12 hours. It is the same recipe that is in Nourishing Traditions for brown rice.
Jessica

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #31 on: June 04, 2008, 04:02:58 PM » by beppyjo

My Mom loaned me a book on cooking grains called 'Whole Grains Every Day Every Way' by Lorna Sass. She has instructions for Quinoa that I had never heard of before. She states that each batch of quinoa is unique in how much water it will absorb. She recommends that you cook it like pasta, adding the grain to boiling water fir 11-14 min. She states that is done when there is no "white dot" of starch evident. Drain and let grain sit in strainer for 5 min. Fluff up and serve. Following this method she says will get you perfect quinoa every time. I do not have a fine mesh strainer of the proper size to do this so haven't tried yet. ANyways, HTH!

Oh, she also states that it takes a little longer for the colored quinoa to cook. I buy my quinoa in bulk and where I buy doesn't have the colored. I have tried the red and liked it just as well as the white. I found that the red is generally more expensive, but maybe that is because I can only buy in small pkgs. Quinoa is our favorite grain!

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #32 on: June 04, 2008, 08:17:36 PM » by sunshine4th

I must be bad but I don't rinse my quinoa. Grin

Seriously, never thought about it and we like how I do it now, so I think I'll stink to it.
Gigi, here is my exact process. Wink

-Soak 2 cups of quinoa in 4 cups of water and 4 tbsp. of whey overnight. I soak it in the pan that I am going to cook it in.
-When I am ready for dinner, I just bring my soaked quinoa, water and whey to a boil.
-I add 2 tbsp. of butter and 1 tsp. of sea salt and stir it in.
-I put the burner on low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes.

The water is usually all soaked in but if it isn't, I just turn of the burner and let it sit with the lid on for awhile and when we eat it is usually good to go.
I hope that helps.
PS-I just bought 25 pounds of organic quinoa last week.

So excited!
Jess

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #33 on: June 04, 2008, 08:20:47 PM » by daisey

I read that you should soak the Quinoa in warm water for 5 minutes then drain, rinse and add to boiling water. This has always worked for me.

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #34 on: June 05, 2008, 11:15:37 AM » by Gigi

I guess there's lots of ways to skin this cat, huh?

I think I'll try soaking overnight in water/yogurt that just covers the quinoa. Then I'll strain out the soak water/yogurt, rinse the grains and toss the wet quinoa into boiling water to cook it using the pasta method.

This ought to cover the important things of soaking and rinsing. And, I don't have to worry about cooking out all the liquid if I use the pasta approach.

Thanks so much for all your help!

« Last Edit: June 11, 2008, 07:54:08 PM by Gigi »
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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #35 on: June 11, 2008, 07:56:47 PM » by Gigi

Kati*did, the recipe you posted earlier in this thread is delicious, thanks.

Update: The method I outlined below for cooking quinoa works great for me! Thanks for all the help.

Quote from: Gigi on June 05, 2008, 11:15:37 AM

I think I'll try soaking overnight in water/yogurt that just covers the quinoa. Then I'll strain out the soak water/yogurt, rinse the grains and toss the wet quinoa into boiling water to cook it using the pasta method.

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #36 on: June 11, 2008, 08:33:13 PM » by Kati*did

Quote from: Gigi on June 11, 2008, 07:56:47 PM

Kati*did, the recipe you posted earlier in this thread is delicious, thanks.

Update: The method I outlined below for cooking quinoa works great for me! Thanks for all the help.

Quote from: Gigi on June 05, 2008, 11:15:37 AM

Glad you liked the recipe!

I soaked my quinoa in water and about 1/4 cup whey one time and the next day it almost tasted like peanut butter. Very different, but still good. Has any of you that soaks the quinoa in whey/water noticed a taste in it when cooked?

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #37 on: July 02, 2008, 09:00:39 PM » by sunshine4th

Here is a recipe I found while looking for something else. I thought I'd post it here, one of you can try making it and let me know how it is. Wink

Crunchy Quinoa Salad

DRESSING:
6 tablespoons sunflower oil
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon tamari soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper

SALAD:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed well
1 3/4 cups cool water
1/4 pound carrots, grated
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds, shelled
3 green onions
1/4 bunch parsley, minced

Cook quinoa in the water till water is absorbed. Cooking time can vary from 25-45 minutes; just keep an eye on it, and stir several times during cooking process. While quinoa is cooking, make dressing by mixing together all dressing ingredients. After quinoa is cooked, mix it with all other salad ingredients. Coat with dressing. Mix thoroughly. You can serve it warm or chilled. Serves: 6.

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #38 on: October 08, 2008, 01:21:45 PM » by Kitty

Jess-
I think I had a similar salad brought to me after this last baby was born and it was really good.

Looking for more quinoa recipes...

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #39 on: October 08, 2008, 06:47:13 PM » by sunshine4th

Okay, I got a new grain cook book and there is a section on quinoa. I haven't tried these recipes yet but I'll post them anyhow.

Quinoa Potato Salad

1 1/2 pds. red new potatoes, scrubbed
1/4 balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 stalks of celery finely diced
2 cups cook quinoa
1/2 cup minced red onion
3/4 cup chopped dill pickles
1/4 c up chopped fresh parsley
1.2 cup mayo
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
12 black olives pitted
1 tsp. paprika
-Boil potatoes and when cool enough to handle, cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
-Put in a bowl sprinkle with 2 tbsp of vinegar and salt and pepper and toss.
-Let stand for 10 mins. or until cool.
-Add the celery, quinoa, onion,pickles and parsley and gently toss.
-Combine the mayo and mustard in a small bowl and fold the dressing into the potato mixture
-Garnish with paprika and olives.
VARIATION:Sub 1 pd. small pasta shells cooked for potatoes.

Salad of quinoa, chicken and greens

2 tsbp. balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp. zinfandel
1 clove of minced garlic
1 tsp. tamari soy sauce
1 tsp. mince fresh thyme
1/3 tsp pepper
1/2 pd. cooked chicken breast, cut into small pieces
3 cups cooked quinoa
3 cups chopped mixed tender salad greens

Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, zinfandel, garlic, soy sauce, thyme and pepper in a small bowl.

Add the chicken and toss to combine, let stand at room temp for 1 hr.

Place the chicken, quinoa, and greens in a large bowl and toss.

(EDITED: Thanks Yooper! That was a BIG salad.)

« Last Edit: October 09, 2008, 08:33:51 AM by sunshine4th »
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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #40 on: October 08, 2008, 06:56:54 PM » by Kitty

Thank you! Kiss

P.S. That's one BIG salad! Cheesy

Quote

23 cups chopped mixed tender salad greens

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #41 on: October 29, 2008, 04:53:36 PM » by healthyinOhio

Haven't tried this, yet, but thought it sounded interesting.

Quinoa Dessert

1 cup Quinoa
4 or 5 dates
2 cups grape juice
1/2 cup raisins

Combine all ingredients in a pot and cook on medium heat until done. Serve hot or cold.
*Author suggests sliced frozen banana can be added on top*

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #42 on: November 02, 2008, 05:50:51 AM » by Kitty

Jess--
It was good. Don't use olive oil though. Roll Eyes

Burned the quinoa a bit, but used what was still edible. I liked it...added more ACV. DD liked it w/ additional Italian dressing.

Quote from: sunshine4th on July 02, 2008, 09:00:39 PM

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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #43 on: January 06, 2010, 06:49:53 PM » by Kitty

Julie G shared this...looks yummy!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Quinoa-Pudding-2/Detail.aspx

Ingredients

* 1 1/2 cups water
* 3/4 cup quinoa
* 2 cups whole milk
* 2 ripe bananas
* 2 tablespoons white sugar
* salt to taste
* 1/2 tablespoon butter
* 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Rinse and drain the quinoa. Bring water and quinoa to a boil in a saucepan over high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
2. Blend together the milk, bananas, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a blender or food processor until smooth. Pour the milk mixture into the saucepan with the quinoa.
3. Place the pan over medium heat. Cook and stir until the mixture becomes thick and creamy, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla and serve warm.

« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 10:02:41 AM by Yooper »
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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #44 on: January 09, 2010, 10:02:11 AM » by Kitty

I need to bump this up--it was delicious--a lot like tapioca pudding!

We used unsweetened Almond milk, maple syrup, and skipped the vanilla extract (almond would be good). Creaming the bananas and milk is great for hot cereal...distributed the natural sweetness better than chunks.

I soaked mine 12 hours and it's sprouted. We'll be eating this often. Grin

I just read that some thickened it w/ beaten eggs--ours was creamy, but not thick. We ate it for breakfast and it wasn't too sweet.

« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 11:45:04 AM by Yooper »
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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #45 on: January 09, 2010, 10:36:24 AM » by mommyjen

Quote from: Yooper on January 09, 2010, 10:02:11 AM

I just read that some thickened it w/ beaten eggs--ours was creamy, but not thick. We ate it for breakfast and it wasn't too sweet. F

Thanks for sharing/bumping! I'll have to give this a try (minus the almond milk). I really like that you sprouted the grain. A lot of the recipes I'm finding are really non-nutritious and I can't imagine feeding my family processed potato and tapicoa flour baked goods/bread very often. I had to throw out our breakfast this morn....it was no good...so we ate the yucky dinner I made last night cuz we were sooo hungry. Undecided

I've got a lot to learn, but recipes like this help!

« Last Edit: January 09, 2010, 10:57:04 AM by mommyjen »
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Re: Quinoa help
« Reply #46 on: January 21, 2010, 01:16:08 PM » by Jemima

I've been wanting to try this Quinoa pudding recipe, and finally got some quinoa again to try it with... It IS delicious! My toddlers gobbled it down for breakfast, with no added sweetners on top (I thought they may need a little maple syrup or something). My initial reaction was "Banana Cream pie!" Cheesy

Found it's equally delicious cold! Thanks for this recipe!

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