February 2, 2012

Do You Quinoa?

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This is my first quinoa attempt. A black bean, quinoa, mango salad. It was a fail.

First of all, I thought it was pronounced quinn-oh-uh.  Look at the end . . . spelled like boa. Nope.  You actually say it keen-wah. Did you know that?  If you knew that already, you’re one step ahead of me.

If you knew that, you probably also knew that there are different types of quinoa.  And I bought the wrong kind for this recipe. The type I used was RED quinoa. It is supposed to “look attractive on the plate”. I think it looks like dog food. And tastes about how I imagine birdseed would taste. Owlie saw a cup of it on the counter and asked me if I was going to feed the bunny.

I should have used regular cream colored quinoa, but they didn’t seem to have any on the quinoa aisle of the grocery store.  Oh wait, there was no quinoa aisle. I checked near the oats, the flour, the nuts and finally found it next to the boxed rice.

Here’s the deal. Quinoa is one of these new fadangled superfoods that is supposed to be so great for us. I have one friend who has completely replaced rice in all her food with quinoa. But I’m not feeling it. So I’m going to give it exactly one more try before I declare it inedible to me.

How about you? Have you tried keen-wah? Do you think it’s for the birds?

13 comments:

Aiketa said...

I am many many steps behind you, since your post is the first time I ever hear of quinoa! Ups... I feel kind of dumb now. But well, now I have more a little bit more knowledge!

TracyS. said...

I can't get worked up about it, but I do appreciate your sense of humor.

liz said...

Does your family like chili? Consider trying this: http://feedyourfamily.blogspot.com/2008/06/quinoa-chili.html
It was my first quinoa recipe, and we think it is really delicious, and not that different from regular chili, so maybe an easy transition? My kids now like it better than normal chili.

The Queen Vee said...

I could see using it occasionally but it's not replacing rice for me. Quinoa patties just don't work for me but kudos to those who love it.

LJB said...

I love quinoa! I first learned about it at Education Week from Chef Brad about 13 years ago! Red quinoa is great to mix in with hamburger (then the kids don't even know!). I have a delicious quinoa spinach salad recipe I will have to send you! You'll love it! Don't give up on it! It's a great source of protein!

christy said...

I've been itching to try it but haven't gotten around to it yet. If you have success with it, please share!

Emily said...

I haven't tried it yet, but I've been wanting to, just another thing on my endless list. Maybe you'll figure out some good recipes for the rest of us:)

squeezeme said...

I love Quinoa! We eat it plain like rice as a side dish, or I have several recipies including soups and salads I can pass along. My Aunt Judith, a dietician has a blog (mydietitianandme.com) and highlights the great nutritious benefits of quinoa and give several yummy recipes! Check her out. She also working on a new website called healthykidsrd.com, but it is not fully launched yet so stay tuned....

Tobi said...

I've heard good things but have never tried it. If you find a good recipe please pass it on.

Bells said...

Nope haven't tried it, as I sit here eating chips and cheese. Ok- I need to try it, along with Chia seeds, which also seems to be the new fangled super food!

Apis Melliflora said...

I haven't been won over yet...but if you try and swear by a keen-wah recipe, I will trust you and make it too.

Unknown said...

I've made the cream colored kind with chicken bouillon. It was great with mole. I'm still experimenting with it though.

Meredith Cowart said...

I love quinoa! You can buy it at Whole Foods, where it is a part of the best salad bar in town: red, brown, quinoa and lentils is my favorite!