I'm quite smitten with quinoa. It's become one of my new favourite go-to ingredients, not just to eat on it's own, but to add to a variety of other foods gracing our table these days.
The pancakes above? They're loaded with quinoa. The original recipe doesn't call for it of course, but I decided to dump a cup into my regular batter and guess what? It worked just fine. I didn't use it in place of anything, and I didn't increase the liquids to make up for it. I just added it, and it worked. The same was true for some chocolate chip cookies I made last week, as well as our favourite banana bread.
I wouldn't necessarily do this with everything I was baking, but the pancakes worked out brilliantly. And seeing that I jump at any chance to make anything just a tad more healthy for the kids, I'm plenty pleased with how this turned out. I've been making large batches weekly (it's even easier to make than rice), and I store it in the fridge to add to whatever I'm cooking, whenever I can.
Did you know that quinoa is a complete protein? Or that it's low in cholesterol and saturated fats? Or how about the fact that it's gluten free?
Is your family eating quinoa? Have you been adding anything else interesting to your foods these days?
What a coincidence that I stumbled on this blog post today - I actually bought quinoa yesterday (the same bag shown in your picture!) for the first time and was going to look for ways to use it. Maybe I'll make quinoa pancakes!
We eat a lot of rice in our home and I think quinoa seems like a healthier alternative - more nutritious, lower glycemic index. I wonder if it can be made in a rice cooker.
Posted by: Christine | 01/11/2011 at 10:08 AM
A rice cooker might work! I do mine on the stove and it really takes less than 15 minutes. I just love keeping a container in the fridge and adding it to anything and everything. Let me know how it works out for you!
Posted by: Jan Scott | 01/11/2011 at 10:09 AM
A rice cooker might work! I do mine on the stove and it really takes less than 15 minutes. I just love keeping a container in the fridge and adding it to anything and everything. Let me know how it works out for you!
Posted by: Jan Scott | 01/11/2011 at 10:09 AM
How much quinoa did you add? sounds yummy!
Posted by: Jessie Boynton | 01/12/2011 at 08:57 AM
I just recently found your blog and already I'm a fan :)
Quinoa absolutely works in a rice cooker! I simply use two cups water and one cup quinoa, and it's best to rinse the quinoa first.
Our family recently added quinoa to the regular rotation, and it's a big hit. We use the organic red variety from Trader Joe's and all it "red rice", which goes over well with the 3yo. It's delicious served with roasted winter vegetables (butternut squash, brussels sprouts, cauliflower...) and a sprinkle of parm.
Posted by: decafmom | 01/12/2011 at 09:00 AM
Hi Jessie - I added 1 cup of cooked quinoa to my regular pancake recipe!
Posted by: Jan Scott | 01/12/2011 at 10:46 AM
Can't wait to try these out on my 8 yr old daughter! Love your recipes. Thank You.
Posted by: Jessie Boynton | 01/12/2011 at 02:56 PM
Thanks!
Posted by: Jan Scott | 01/17/2011 at 10:11 AM
Oooh, your quinoa recipe with the veggies and parm sounds delicious.
Posted by: Jan Scott | 01/17/2011 at 10:12 AM
We can believe we are being self-reliant and independent, and yet there is still clearly an overarching destiny, a Great Maker.
Posted by: Chanel J12 | 02/24/2011 at 08:11 PM