Quinoa

[Durgan]

http://chetday.com/quinoa.html Quinoa (keen wha)
The quinoa seed is high in protein, calcium and iron, a relatively good source of vitamin E and several of the B vitamins. It contains an almost perfect balance of all eight essential amino acids needed for tissue development in humans.

Quinoa is available in most bulk foods. The little seeds are hard to digest if not cooked properly. I suspect many people do not use this amazing food, or only once and give up.

Porridge. Cook under low heat gently boiling and stirring often for about an hour. Then use as hand blender while cooking to make a mash and break the seeds open. In this manner the seeds are very pleasant to digest. Add water as necessary to aid in the blending. A typical counter blender may also be used. There are many ways to utilize this food, but my typical method is as a porridge, and I eat a small amount for breakfast along with large flake oats.

Quinoa is relatively expensive, but a pound of seeds, when cooked expand four or five times.

[JuzaMum]

Quinoa porridge might be good for you but yuk! Sorry. The first time I cooked (boiled in a Gillian McKeith recipe) Quinoa my husband asked me to never cook it again. I tried again after trying some a friend had cooked and it was lovely, So here it is - my friends nice quinoa recipe
Mug of quinoa
2 mugs of stock
chopped up onion
chopped up sweet potato
tin of chickpeas
morrocan spice mix or harissa paste
anything elso you fancy
bung in a lidded pot, stick in a medium oven for about an hour.
Serve with roasted veg, falafel and houmous
Virtuous and yummy

JuzaMum

[The Riff-Raff Element]

Ah, well, you see, "Dr" McKeith is a snakeoil salesman and also someone who believes that food, under no circumstances whatsoever, should in any way be fun. Just my opinon, you understand, but did you see her on "I'm a G-List Celebrety, Get Me a Part?"

Your friend's recipe sounds very nice. I shall give that a try this week.

[Potter's Farm]

Would it be possible to cook with milk and add sugar to make a semolina type pudding?

[JuzaMum]

Riff-Raff you are right and McKeith is also a poo obsessed weirdo, I should of known better than to try a recipe from someone who has a framed 'perfect' poo on their bathroom wall and has a special poo fridge! Didn't see her celebrity whatever.
Hope you enjoy the recipe - sultanas are a nice addition.

Potter's Farm - I would imagine it would work. Let us know how you get on

JuzaMum

[Ellendra]

If porridge or pudding doesn't work, a spoonful in any kind of soup works well, esspecially if the soup contains tomato!

[matowakan]

I have grown my own now for several years and it is easy to grow but the threshing and winnowing take a bit of time when harvested but I think it is worth it!

[bonniethomas06]

I have recently become a bit obsessed with quinoa. Basically, pretend it is rice and you are fine. Serve where you would have used cous cous, stick it in stews, make a rice-pudding style meal out of it...lovely. I try (when I remember) to keep a bowl of cooked quinoa in the fridge so that I can add it to salads and things (make sure you cook it in stock to give it a bit more flavour) or I have a mouthful when I am peckish.

Failing that, the chickens love it!