Clockwise from top left: Quinoa Salad, Quinoa “Caprese Salad,” Breakfast Quinoa and Quinoa Blueberry Pancakes
Lately, I’ve been a little bit obsessed with quinoa. In my quest to clean up my eating, I’ve rediscovered quinoa. Have you had it before? I’ve always thought of it as a good and interesting alternative to rice because it has a mild, nutty flavor. But really, it’s a tiny, ancient Peruvian seed related to spinach, beets and tumbleweed. But those little quinoa seeds pack a big nutritional punch. It’s a complete protein source, containing all the essential amino acids, is high in lysine (important for tissue growth and repair), is a good source of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, and has a high iron content. That’s a lot for a tiny little seed.
Usually, I do use quinoa as a substitute for rice and you prepare it in the same way i.e. 1 cup quinoa to 1.5 cups water. It cooks in about 15 minutes. Quinoa has also been making its way into different kinds of salads, pancakes and a substitute for oatmeal in the morning. One note – quinoa does have a high fat content so it’s best to store it in the refrigerator or freezer to prevent it from going rancid.
Here are five of my favorite quinoa recipes:
- Quinoa Salad: This is a great sweet-savory salad that combine pears, feta and mint.
- Quinoa Caprese Salad: This recipe that Kristen at The Preppy Girl in Pink shared at Literal Mom is delicious and so super simple. I also made a different variation on this, using low-fat cottage cheese instead when I didn’t have mozzarella in the house and it was just as good.
- Breakfast Quinoa: I love cereal in the morning – hot or cold – and this is a great variation on that theme. Delicious and filling.
- Quinoa Blueberry Pancakes: These little gems? They are like little bits of heavens. I could eat the whole plate.
Quinoa Blueberry Pancakes (from Amy)
1 cup cooked quinoa
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 large egg, plus 1 large egg white
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1/2 cup frozen blueberries
Directions:
1.Combine first 6 ingredients in large bowl. In a smaller bowl, combine egg, butter, milk, and syrup until smooth. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix until combined. Add blueberries to mixture and stir until combined.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place 1/4 cup batter rounds on skillet and cook until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup or desired toppings. Makes about 8 pancakes.
The last recipe is one that my friend shared with me. Originally, the recipe called for barley but she changed it to quinoa and improvised.
Quinoa Salad with Dill and Lemon
- 1 1/4 cups quinoa
- 1 bunch scallions, white and green parts, chopped
- 1 large granny smith, fuji, or gala apple, unpeeled, cored and cut into small dice
- 1 cup chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 cup dried currants, raisins or golden raisins
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (1 juice lemon) plus 1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 1/2 cups water, quinoa, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes, until all the liquid is absorbed.
2. In a large bowl, combine the scallions, apple, dill, currants or raisins, coriander, lemon juice and rind, and olive oil. Add the warm quinoa and mix well. Let stand for 20 minutes to give the quinoa a chance to absorb the seasonings. Season with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate for a few hours and serve cold.
If that’s not enough recipes for you, here’s another round-up of recipes from the New York Times.
Do you use quinoa? What’s your favorite quinoa recipe? I would love to experiment more!
Quinoa for breakfast? REALLY!? I had never thought of that. I’m going to have to try that. Love the makeover by the way! The blog looks great!
Katie @momslrb recently posted..Do Anywhere – Lower Body Workout
Genius, no? It’s a great way to work quinoa into the day – first thing! Thanks – I’m happy with the makeover and it’s nice to be in this new space. Just have to figure it all out…
Great ideas!!! thanks!
Thanks Mindy!
we are so..unique my child thinks quinoa is JUST a breakfast food.
oops
Miz recently posted..The IceTee.
That’s excellent. I wish that my kids were a wee bit more adventurous in their eating sometimes!
I love quinoa! One of my favorite recipes is an all in one burrito filling that works great for taco salads too.
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Guest Series: From Couch to Coach
That’s a great idea! My kids love tacos and burritos. We’ll have to try that next time.
I have yet to make quinoa, though I have it in my pantry…these seem like a good start!
Katie @wishandwhimsy recently posted..Clean Eating & Let’s Go PEACH MANGO!
Yes, these are pretty good and easy ways to try out quinoa. I was super intimidated by it before I tried it. Not sure why but it is really easy to prepare and incorporate into different dishes. Let me know if you try any of these!
I really need to try to quinoa next week.
Leigh Powell Hines @Hinessightblog recently posted..Wish We Were Here: Cape Arundel Inn, Kennebunkport
Yes! I hope you do. I was afraid that it was going to taste funny but I really like it. It’s got a nuttier and a richer flavor than rice or couscous but can be used in the same way as those grains.
I have yet to try Quinoa!!! Lovin’ the recipes you listed though!
p.s. Did I tell you how much I love the new look?!
Kierston recently posted..With Negativity Comes Strength!
Thanks Kierston! I’m really liking the new feel of the blog. It’s like a new toy but I have to figure out all the kinks! These recipes are pretty easy – I mean, I can’t handle anything complicated these days – so I hope you give them a try!
These are awesome recipes, Christine!!! I love quinoa, but like you said, typically only make it like I do rice (and substitute it in the meal for rice)…so it kinds kind of boring !!
I am definitely going to try some of these recipes – I love that you have 5 recipes all on one post =)
Michele @ Nycrunningmama recently posted..Happy Bump Day! (33 weeks)
Thanks Michelle. I know, I was looking for new ways to use quinoa aside from just a rice substitute and was so excited about all the different variety of recipes that I came across. I especially like the breakfast recipes. So yummy!
Yum these sound great! I love quinoa. Thanks for sharing these recipes. My favorite is currently this: dareyouto.blogspot.com/2012/06/quinoa-with-greens-tomatoes-and-feta.html But I’m always up for a new twist
Meredith @ Dare You To recently posted..Go the Whole30: It Starts With Food
Ohh! That recipe sounds great. Thanks for sharing that with me. Can’t wait to try that.
oooh those pancakes sound good!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Roasted Cherry Goat Cheese
The pancakes are pretty darn good. I think I have to make another batch!
I’ve never tried quinoa! I don’t even know how to pronounce it! I’m so curious though! It sounds great!
Becky @ RunFunDone recently posted..Try Something New Thursday: My First MRI
KEEN-wah
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Wednesday Workout: Cross Country Circuit
I love Quinoa. I use it in salads, as a rice substitute, in my black bean patties. Never tried it in pancakes, though. That might be next.
Debbie @ Live from La Quinta recently posted..Wednesday Workout: Cross Country Circuit
I hadn’t thought about using it in black bean patties. That sounds like a great idea. I love how versatile it is.
I am all over those quinoa pancakes. Sunday morning breakfast is going to be amazing!!
I also made a salad for us the other night with spinach, romaine, strawberries, raspberries, dried cherries, almond slices, sunflower seeds and then stirred in chilled quinoa. It was so good…not one bit was left and I made a huge salad hoping for leftovers.
Kristen recently posted..Growing Together – A Guest Post At Raising Humans
OMG that salad sounds delicious!! I am going to make that this weekend. I’ve totally forgotten how great berries are in salads.
YUM!! I LOVE quinoa!! I want to try every single one of these recipes! Another grain I’m digging lately? Barley! Going to experiment with it tonight…if it turns out well, it may wind up on the blog.
Jess recently posted..Marathon training is….easy?! (um..no)
Barley is also one of those grains that I’ve totally overlooked. I think that I have a bag of it sitting in the back of our cupboard somewhere. I’ll have to start experimenting with that too. Can’t wait to hear if your barley experiment turned out!
I have to learn to embrace Quinoa more. I eat it but don’t LOVE it. I am going to try some of these. The pancakes intrigue me!
ilene recently posted..Got Friends?
Try the pancakes. It adds a nice texture and flavor to the pancakes – it’s like a gateway drug for quinoa I swear.
Actually so glad you posted this because quinoa always confuses and intimidates me for some reason. I have a box that I’ve yet ot use and I feel liek now is the time!
I’m glad that this was helpful! Quinoa definitely intimidated me too. I think it’s the name
I hope you get to try some of these recipes!
I always make extra quinoa to enjoy for breakfast, but I always eat it too soon for lunch and dinner the day before LOL. I guess I’ll have to start making it during actual breakfast time
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige recently posted..VEDA and Tabata HIIT Workout
haha! I know exactly what you mean. Between my husband and I, there’s never enough in the house.
I’m a huge quinoa fan! Thanks for sharing all the different recipes!
Tina @ Best Body Fitness recently posted..Change
I hope that this gives you some new ideas!
I’ve been meaning to try quinoa, but haven’t gotten around to it. And, since I love a good pancake, I think that will be my chance!
Michelle recently posted..Google Nexus Photography – Fun with Filters
I hope you give the pancakes a try. I think that it is my favorite quinoa recipe of the bunch.
I LOVE quinoa! Wish M did. Sad face. But I love it in every single way that you just described. it is SO verstaile!! I need to make in a salad again, and those pancakes look wicked good!
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M doesn’t like quinoa? That’s tragic
Yes, make the pancakes. They are so yummy and super filling. I really like it in salads too. I want to experiment with it a bit more. My only problem is that the little kernels seem to fly all over my kitchen! Oops.
I love it!!! Also a recent re-discovered obsession of mine. I didn’t know it needed to be kept in the fridge, so I’m glad I read this. I love it in the slow cooker with curries and stews. I will definitely try some of these recipes.
Jess recently posted..Just a spoon full of sugar …..
Yes! I like using quinoa in chilis and stews too. Adds a nice hearty flavor and texture. I didn’t know it had to be stored in the fridge either until recently. I need a bigger fridge!
Quinoa flour and quinoa flakes are my staples!!
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..The Summer Food Slump
I haven’t tried quinoa flour or flakes. I’ll have to look for those. Can you use the quinoa flour just as you would regular flour or do you replace only a portion?
I only use quinoa flour since I am gluten free but I’ve never had a problem baking anything.
StoriesAndSweetPotatoes recently posted..The Summer Food Slump
Suprisingly enough, although I love oatmeal, I have only cooked with quinoa once! I have got to change that, and the blueberry pancakes recipe you posted looks like the perfect answer!
Anna recently posted..Strawberry Kiwi Oatmeal Bread
The pancakes are pretty yummy and an easy way to incorporate quinoa. I hope you try them!
Oh, girl. You know I’m completely swooning right now! My fave food!
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..The Darker Side of Blogging – 4 Things to Watch For
I thought you might like this post
I’m so glad you love the pancakes so much!
and thanks for the link!
Thanks Amy! Yes, the pancakes are a hit in our house and it seems like lots of other folks are intrigued by them too!
Love quinoa and am always looking for new ways to use it. Thanks so much for the great recipes!
misszippy recently posted..Sacrifice
I, too, am obsessed with quinoa…I will def have to try some of those!!!
I haven’t had it but will be trying it soon. I struggle to get enough protein. I can take all the extra sources I can get. Thanks for sharing.
Happy Sharefest!
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