Quinoa

I was first introduced to quinoa about three years ago.  My husband's aunt brought it to a family reunion.  Quinoa is a grain.  Here is a bit of information from our friend Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinoa
Three years ago I tried to find and had to go to a nutrition/health food store.  Last week I picked up a big bag at Target for $8. It is a little expensive, but it provides good fiber and protein which is important for our bodies.

Here are two recipes I've tried that call for quinoa. I like them both, especially the salad.

Quinoa en Salpicon by Felipe Rojas-Lombardi

What you will need: 1/4 cup lime juice, 1/4 tsp white pepper, 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced, 1 tbsp kosher salt, 1/2 cup olive oil, 3 cups quinoa, rinsed and drained, 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and chopped, 1 cup tomato, seeded and diced, 1/2 cup scallions, 1/2 c Italian parsley, chopped, 1/3 cup mint, chopped

Whisk together lime juice, white pepper, jalapeno, and salt.  Slowly whisk in the olive oil.  Bring 2 quarts of water and quinoa to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.  Drain and let cool.  Toss the remaining ingredients together with the cooled quinoa. Then drizzle the dressing over the top and toss to combine.

Note: I reduced the quinoa to 2 cups and the olive oil to 1/3 cup.


Roasted Corn and Quinoa by Mark Bittman

What you will need:  olive oil, 1 bag frozen corn (thawed), 3/4 cup quinoa, 1 1/2 cup chicken broth




Corn with the quinoa before cooking time.


Heat oil and add the corn. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes until the corn starts to brown.  Add the quinoa and stir. When the grains start popping and toasting, add the chicken broth.  Bring to a boil. Stir one last time, cover and reduce to a low heat.  Cook, undisturbed, for 15 minutes.  Test the doneness of quinoa; if it needs more time, make sure there is a little liquid on the bottom of the pan.  Before serving stir in parsley, cilantro, or chives.




Corn and quinoa after cooking.


Note: I made this the night after I did the Spicy Dr. Pepper pork. We had leftover pork so we served this dish up with some shredded pork on tortilla shells. Very yummy.  Of course, once corn is being harvested here in Iowa I will use it fresh off the cob;)

Served on a tortilla with shredded pork and all the fixin's