Quinoa--Healthier Option for Food Storage and Vegetarians!

I was first introduced to Quinoa by my Aunt Kaly. They are selling it at Costco right now, so I tried it, fell in love, and have been cooking with it a ton!

Quinoa--pronounced kean-wa--is a grain from South Africa that has a high protein content and a balanced set of amino acids. It is also high in dietary fiber, magnesium, iron and is gluten free. It is the healthier grain choice for cooking as well as food storage, and is great for vegetarians.

It can be cooked like rice (2 parts liquid to 1 part grain) and, like rice, takes on whatever flavors it is cooked with. It can even be cooked in a rice cooker!

Here are some great Quinoa recipes:



Quinoa Taco Filling: (This idea came from my Aunt)

1 cup Quinoa
2 cups Water
1 Taco Meat Seasoning Packet

Boil water. Add in quinoa and seasoning packet. Reduce to a simmer and cook until tender. Use in taco's instead of meat. It tastes just the same, and has a similar texture. You're still eating all the great protein, but without the fat!



Quinoa Stuffed Peppers: I wrote this recipe with hamburger meat and rice originally, but now I substitute quinoa.


4 peppers- Pablano if you like it spicy, Green Bell if not
1 1/2 cups Quinoa
4 cups Liquid- 1 can tomato sauce, the rest water
3 cups Corn
1 medium Onion, chopped
2 teaspoons Garlic Powder
1 tablespoon Cumin
1 tablespoon Chile Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
A few dashes of hot sauce(to taste)
1 cup Medium Cheddar Cheese (more or less to taste)

cilantro and sour cream to garnish


-Cut peppers in half and remove ribs and seeds. Put on baking sheet, skin side up, and broil until the outside begins to blister and char. Turn over and broil 2-4 minutes more.

-Boil water/tomato sauce mixture. Add in quinoa.Turn down heat and simmer until cooked. (or cook in rice cooker) Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, chile powder and hot sauce.

-In large skillet, saute onion on medium heat until cooked through and starting to brown slightly. Add in corn and saute until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in seasoned quinoa. Stuff mixture into peppers. Top with cheese. Broil until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with cilantro and sour cream.

Quinoa Side Dish: Aunt Kaly's recipe

Cooked quinoa

sauteed onion

1 can black beans

Half a container corn salsa

salt and pepper to taste

-Mix and serve