October's Tag Game ~ Spanish Quinoa Community Forums - p1

I'm looking for: Recipes Ingredients Members

Sat Sep 24, 2011 3:40 am

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~ Quinoa is a grain-like crop grown for its edible seeds. It is not a true cereal grain as most believe; it is actually classified as a chenopod (flowering plant), specifically a species of goosefoot that is closely related to beets, spinach and tumbleweeds. The name quinoa comes from the Spanish spelling of Quechua, which originated from the Andean region of South America, where it was successfully grown 3000 to 4000 years ago for human consumption, though archeological evidence shows non-domesticated pastoral uses about 7000 years ago.

Health and Nutritional Information

Although not a true cereal grain, quinoa nonetheless is very comparable in nutritional composition to true cereal grains. Quinoa contains high levels of protein and essential amino acids for humans, which makes it a complete protein source (which is unusual among plant foods). Quinoa also contains high levels of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. It’s a good source of dietary fiber as well.

~ Quinoa is a gluten-free product and considered easy to digest, which makes it an ideal protein source for many special diets. Quinoa can also be ground into flour that makes a great alternative to wheat-based (and other) flours.

In fact, quinoa is so desirable for its health benefits and ease and versatility in preparation that it is being considered a possible crop for NASA’s Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights.

Cooking With Quinoa

After harvest, raw quinoa needs to be processed to remove the coating which contains bitter tasting saponins that can make it unpalatable before processing. Most pre-packaged quinoa sold commercially in North America has already been processed and rinsed to remove the coating. But it’s interesting to note that the bitter coating is particularly beneficial to growers because it is unpopular with birds and therefore serves as a natural bird repellant, eliminating a lot of the issues that growers of other crops must contend with.

~ If quinoa has not been pre-processed, the first step of preparing quinoa for cooking is to remove the saponins by soaking the quinoa in water for a few hours, changing the water and re-soaking, or rinsing the quinoa in ample cold running water for several minutes in a fine strainer or cheeselcoth.

There are several helpful recipes in our database with instructions on the basic steps of processing quinoa for preparation in cooking. A few of them are:

~ Quinoa-Toasted #16399 by Dib’s

~ How to Properly Clean and Toast Quinoa by Chef Joey Z.

Processed quinoa is generally cooked in the same way one would prepare rice, and it can be used in a wide range of dishes. In addition, quinoa leaves are eaten as a leaf vegetable, much like amaranth, though quinoa leaves are not widely available in many regions.

Quinoa has a light, fluffy texture when cooked, and its mild and nutty flavor makes it a suitable alternative to rice or couscous.

The most basic method for cooking quinoa is to bring two cups (or less) of water to a boil with one cup of quinoa, covering and simmering for 10-15 minutes or until the germ separates from the seed. The cooked germ looks like a tiny curl and should have a slight bite to it (like al dente pasta). Quinoa is also great for rice cookers, prepared just as one would prepare rice (for both cooking cycle and water amounts).

~ Vegetables, seasonings, and stock can be added to cooked quinoa for more flavor. Many manufacturers offer a boxed quinoa as a cereal, which makes it an excellent high-protein breakfast dish, topped with honey, nuts, berries or fresh fruit.

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October Tag Game ~ Spanish Quinoa

We have selected an array of Spanish (and other) recipes from our database that include quinoa as an ingredient. You are free to tag one of the recipes we found, or you are free to pick any other recipe in the database that includes quinoa. And there is no limit; you can tag as many recipes as you can make before the end of the month.

Featured Spanish Recipes ~ Quinoa

Spanish Quinoa by Vino Girl
This classic Spanish dish features quinoa at its best, with plenty of traditional Spanish flair from fresh Spanish ingredints such as tomatoes, spices and garlic.

Quinoa Beef Picadillo by Engrossed
This zesty Spanish stew features quinoa with flavorful peppers, a variety of delectable spices, and other traditional Spanish ingredients for a quick meal ready in about 35 minutes.

Spanish Quinoa With Figs and Pimientos by Samantha in Ut
Figs and pimientos provide not only flavor but contrating texture to this wonderful quinoa-based Spanish dish.

Other Recipes With Quinoa

Breads / Muffins

Quinoa Banana Bread, Regular or Sugar Free
Quinoa Muffins
Gluten Free 5 Grain Bread
Cheesy Gluten-Free Loaf (Abm)
Gluten Free Zucchini Carrot Muffins
Multigrain Sourdough Bread

Breakfast / Brunch

Quinoa and Barley Breakfast Porridge
Pomegranate, Honey & Quinoa Breakfast
Hot Quinoa Breakfast With Fruits
Wild Blueberry & Maple Breakfast Quinoa With Toasted Pecans
Raisin Spice Hot Cereal With Quinoa
Hearty Quinoa With Sauteed Apples and Almonds

Desserts and Treats

Quinoa Pudding
Quinoa Tahini Cookies
Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free Vegan Vanilla Cupcakes With Chocolate
Wicklewood's Butterscotch Quinoa
Quinoa Peanut Butter Cookies
Sour Cream Fudge Cupcakes (Made With Quinoa Flour)

Main Dishes

Quinoa Stir Fry W/ Spinach and Walnuts
Southwestern Quinoa Vegetable Casserole
Quinoa Casserole
Easy One-Dish Quinoa and Tuna
Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers
Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Peppers

Salads

Quinoa Black Bean Salad
Quinoa Greek Salad
Quinoa Salad
Mediterranean Quinoa Salad
Herbed Quinoa Salad
Tropical Quinoa (Ww)

Soups and Stews / Chili

Ecuadorean Quinoa and Vegetable Soup
Low Fat Pea Soup With Quinoa
Carrot Top & Quinoa Soup
Quinoa Vegetarian Chili
To Your Very Good Health Rich Lentil Soup
Broccoli Cheese Quinoa Soup

Side Dishes

Garlic Quinoa
Quinoa Pilaf
Carrot, Chickpea and Quinoa Melange
Curried Quinoa
Zucchini and Yellow Squash With Quinoa
Quinoa-Stuffed Acorn Squash

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Last edited by Lalaloula on Mon Mar 19, 2012 3:38 am, edited 2 times in total

Lalaloula

Sat Sep 24, 2011 3:41 am

Forum Host

The Tags:

Duonyte:

Ecuadorean Quinoa and Vegetable Soup

Quinoa Porridge

JustJanS:

Quinoa Tabouleh by Sweet Diva

Lalaloula:

Hot Quinoa Drink by Sharon

Quinoa Peanut Butter Cookies by U-Food

Linky:

Quinoa Beef Picadillo

Quinoa, Sweet Potato and Peppers by Diann is Cooking

NorthWestGal:

Maple Walnut Hot Cereal With Quinoa by Katzen

Sharon123:

Cheezy Mexican Quinoa - Vegan by Kozmic Blues

Last edited by Lalaloula on Fri Nov 11, 2011 2:31 am, edited 6 times in total

Linky

Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:00 pm

Food.com Groupie

Hi - I'm home sick and need comfort food. I have all the ingredients for this yummy sounding dish:
recipe # 256268 Quinoa Beef Picadillo

Linky

Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:47 am

Food.com Groupie

Oh yum! I MERPed this dish last night and DH and I both loved it! I've still got the sniffles today, oh well! But now I have a new favorite meal!

Sharon123

Thu Oct 13, 2011 11:54 pm

Forum Host

That looks good Linky! I hope you feel better quickly!

Lalaloula

Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:17 am

Forum Host

Sharon123 wrote:
Hi Loula!

Here are my quinoa recipes:

Quinoa Avocado Verrines #424111
Hot Quinoa Drink #456157
Quinoa Maki With Avocado and Cajun Portobello Fillets #421547
Quinoa Pilaf in Lettuce Cups #438233
Quinoa and Vegetable Tabouli Salad #460204
Mediterranean Veggie Burgers With Provolone and Italian Ketchup #462666

And I will make Cheezy Mexican Quinoa - Vegan #358875 by Kozmic Blues.

Hey hon!

Oh yum, yum, yum, Ill get those listed above for you right now. Great sounding choices and recipes.

I just LOVE how versatile quinoa can be!

Recently I made cookies with it and they were such a hit. Did you ever try them in anything sweet?

Loula

Lalaloula

Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:18 am

Forum Host

Linky wrote:
Hi - I'm home sick and need comfort food. I have all the ingredients for this yummy sounding dish:
recipe # 256268 Quinoa Beef Picadillo

Oh Linky, IM so sorry to hear this!

I hope youll get well soon! A big warming bowl of quinoa should make you feel better instantly. Ill get your yummy sounding choices noted above.

Loula

Lalaloula

Thu Oct 20, 2011 7:20 am

Forum Host

Linky wrote:
Oh yum! I MERPed this dish last night and DH and I both loved it! I've still got the sniffles today, oh well! But now I have a new favorite meal!

Linky, wow, this close-up is fabulous! I just LOVE the rich colours of this, your pic really draws me in.

Im sorry to hear youre still not totally well, but Im sure this helped at least with feeling better.

Do you have any quinoa recipes posted that I could put up for others to peruse?

Loula

Linky

Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:49 am

Food.com Groupie

My bronchitis is almost gone (got meds finally

)
Unfortunately, you are my source for quinoa recipes - I bought a box of the stuff b/c it looked so interesting and never knew what to do with it!

Now I do! Later, I'll post the other dish I made.

duonyte

Thu Oct 20, 2011 11:27 pm

Forum Host

I'll tag Ecuadorean Quinoa and Vegetable Soup #101925, I think I have all the ingredients and need a new soup!

I only have a few recipes
Curried Quinoa Salad With Yogurt-Cumin Dressing
Cheesy Gluten-Free Loaf (Abm)

Lalaloula

Fri Oct 21, 2011 2:10 am

Forum Host

Linky wrote:
My bronchitis is almost gone (got meds finally

)
Unfortunately, you are my source for quinoa recipes - I bought a box of the stuff b/c it looked so interesting and never knew what to do with it!

Now I do! Later, I'll post the other dish I made.

YAY for that, Linky!

Im so glad youre on the mend and I love that youre venturing into trying a new ingredient. Isnt it great that you can come here and find recipes with this grain that make it easy to get the whole family to eat it?! Quinoa is so versatile, too!

Ive never made a drink with it and only ever once something sweet, so Ill tag: