I Don't Get Quinoa

[CALIFLADY]

I've cooked it a few times and added it to other things (using it as a flavor carrier). I tried making a salad with it. But it just doesn't taste all that good to me. And to complicate the matter, when I cook it, the little white rings that come off the grain look like little worms to me. So eating the stuff just doesn't do much for me. I'd rather eat brown rice.

What am I missing?

 

[ontariomonkey]

blech, I don't like it either. My family makes it into a cold salad with pepers etc, it does absolutely nothing for me.

 

[ChicagoFitnessClub]

I've cooked it a few times and added it to other things (using it as a flavor carrier). I tried making a salad with it. But it just doesn't taste all that good to me. And to complicate the matter, when I cook it, the little white rings that come off the grain look like little worms to me. So eating the stuff just doesn't do much for me. I'd rather eat brown rice.

What am I missing?

Make a beef stew or chicken stew and serve the quinoa on the bottom of the dish so when you eat it, you get some meat and the quinoa.

 

[Bethenny]

I've made it twice now. The one recipe was terrible. I had some leftover (uncooked) so I tried it again, but just with garlic and onion and parmesan. That was better, I could eat it. But it still wasn't anything special. I guess it's a good source of protein and fiber.

 

[ChicagoFitnessClub]

I've made it twice now. The one recipe was terrible. I had some leftover (uncooked) so I tried it again, but just with garlic and onion and parmesan. That was better, I could eat it. But it still wasn't anything special. I guess it's a good source of protein and fiber.

Yea its pretty plain tasting, it's not suppose to be "mind blowing." As far as health, it's one of the best things you can put in your body.

 

[CALIFLADY]

Yep, I get the health benefits of quinoa. And I understand it's more of a "flavor carrier" (ie - sticking it under beef stew) as opposed to being a stand-alone flavor itself. But the little white worms? No thanks! I'll find my protein source elsewhere...blech...

 

[drag n' fly]

I eat it like oatmeal...that's about it.

 

[Evi]

I love it try it with fresh berries a splash of so coconut milk creamer and a splash of real maple syrup so so yummy.

 

[FireDancer]

I make it with broth instead of water and add a lot of vegetables. Adding a tiny but of champaign vinegar when you serve it also adds some flavor.

The white rings look more like small nail clippings than worms to me but either way I know that isn't what they are so don't let it effect my eating of it.

 

[Imzadi]

Sounds like the "white worms" are the hulls are coming off. Does it come in a hulled variety?

 

[NotUrsula]

I've tried to eat Quinoa, really I have. I've washed the heck out of it and cooked it at least 10 different ways, from risotto to stew, and still it makes me horribly nauseous every dang time I ingest it. (I've heard that this isn't all that odd; some people apparently just can't tolerate it well.)

DH likes it fine, and prefers it as a hot breakfast. He says it's the most filling food he's ever eaten. That part I'd agree with -- it sits on my stomach just like lead.

 

[polkadotsuitcase]

I like it! I usually do the breakfast thing -- apples and lots of cinnamon with it. It's not something I crave (like...umm...say...donuts!), but it's okay by me.

Now peas...that's another story. YUCK.

But I guess that's why there are so many different foods out there, eh? Something for everyone!

 

[bicker]

Quinoa is the only complete non-animal protein. All other grains are missing at least one of the amino acids essential for human life.

Quinoa is indeed, like most rice and pasta and such, a flavor carrier. It isn't intended to be eaten straight, generally, just like you wouldn't make a meal of nothing but rice.

We generally use Quinoa in salads. Here's one of our favorite Quinoa recipes.

1 1/2 cups quinoa
3 cups water
1/2 cup kalamata olive
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup fresh basil
1 cup fresh spinach
1/2 cup fresh parsley
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup scallion
2/3 cup red onion
1 cup tofu
2/3 cup white distilled vinegar
1 lemon, juice and zest of
3 garlic cloves, grated
1 tablespoon tahini

Bring 3 cups water to a boil and add quinoa. Cover and reduce heat to medium/high. Let simmer about 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Once quinoa is done, put in a bowl and refrigerate until completely cool.

While quinoa is cooking, prepare fresh ingredients. Chop tofu into ½ inch cubes, and then gently crumble slightly into bowl. To tofu add 1/3 cup vinegar, half to juiced lemon, half of lemon zest, and 1 clove of grated garlic. Let marinate

Chop basil, parsley, cilantro, scallions and red onion. Coarsely chop spinach and add veggies into large bowl.

Cut Kalamata olives into quarter rings, add to bowl.

In a bowl, whisk together reserved vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, grated garlic, and tahini, set aside.

Add marinated tofu with marinade into bowl with veggies.

When quinoa is cooled, add to veggie mixture, pour in dressing, and mix thoroughly.

Mix in pine nuts.

Serves 8-10

 

[Jennasis]

Like all other "good-for-you" foods, it's just yucky. Apparently we can't have food that's nutritionally good and delicious.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

We have several recipes for quinoa that are very nice. One is sweeter (and a breakfast style hot cereal) and several others are savory.

The first important thing to know about quinoa is that you have to wash it, wash it, wash it! Otherwise, it will taste of soap. Ick.

I run it under a stream of water and pick up handfuls and "scrub it" between my hands under the running water. I do this for at least ten minutes.

There is red quinoa and white quinoa. The red has a nuttier taste so you may want to try that.

If you don't like it, that's fine! There are loads of other good things to eat, yes?

 

[punkin]

I don't like quinoa, but I make it cause DH likes it. It's not the flavor so much as the texture that bothers me.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I really like quinoa. I like the little "crunch" it has. I make it like Bicker does...but what I do is while it is hot, I toss it in a homemade vinaigrette of evoo, vinegar and a tiny dash of dijon mustard. It absorbs all that flavor. Then, I let it cool and add "goodies." Feta cheese, onions, toasted sliced almonds, chicken, whatever!

I don't think the white hull looks like worms at all. To me, they look like little tiny condoms. Next time you look at cooked quinoa, you will think of me and laugh, because it really does!

 

[Jennasis]

nail clippings, condoms, worms....mmm mmm good.

 

[1stluvispooh]

For me I make quinoa just for the fact that it's another grain and it's gluten free. Funny thing about this thread my sister in law stopped by this weekend for lunch and brought a quinoa salad then asked if I had ever had it. Yep, it's DD safe (gluten free) Besides that her pasta is made out of it. I think she was looking to 1 up me in the food department.

 

[Tinkermommy]

I just bought some red quinoa and I was think of using it instead of barley in beef barley soup. Well see how it goes!

I have had it in restaurants before and liked it so I am going to give it a shot at home.