Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wa) - a South American grain that is loaded with protein and amino acids
The Cook This, Not That! cookbook lists quinoa as the 2nd healthiest carb...right behind bulger. I thought it should definitely be on my list of things to try if it's that good for me. I have never heard of it, didn't know how to pronounce it, and had NO IDEA where to buy it. I looked it up on dictionary.com to hear how to say it before I called around to see where to buy it. It's a good thing I did that because the places I called wouldn't have had a clue what I was talking about! Luckily, the first place I called, Whole Foods, had it. Not only did Whole Foods have quinoa, they had 3 different kinds of quinoa. I chose the organic quinoa which happened to also be the least expensive ($5).
The recipe for Quinoa Pilaf is on Page 294 of Cook This, Not That!, and I decided to make it as a side dish to my pan seared chicken breast and green bean dinner. When I poured the quinoa into a colander to rinse it, Jase commented that it looked like bird seed...and he was right! I thought it had to look better once it was cooked...I was wrong. :)
The Cook This, Not That! cookbook lists quinoa as the 2nd healthiest carb...right behind bulger. I thought it should definitely be on my list of things to try if it's that good for me. I have never heard of it, didn't know how to pronounce it, and had NO IDEA where to buy it. I looked it up on dictionary.com to hear how to say it before I called around to see where to buy it. It's a good thing I did that because the places I called wouldn't have had a clue what I was talking about! Luckily, the first place I called, Whole Foods, had it. Not only did Whole Foods have quinoa, they had 3 different kinds of quinoa. I chose the organic quinoa which happened to also be the least expensive ($5).
The recipe for Quinoa Pilaf is on Page 294 of Cook This, Not That!, and I decided to make it as a side dish to my pan seared chicken breast and green bean dinner. When I poured the quinoa into a colander to rinse it, Jase commented that it looked like bird seed...and he was right! I thought it had to look better once it was cooked...I was wrong. :)
It was not difficult to make, although it called for some ingredients I don't keep around the house (pine nuts and golden raisins). It didn't take long. I was scared to try it, but Madeline and Jason dug right in. Here are our reviews:
Madeline - "It tastes good." (but she only took one bite and wouldn't eat any after that)
Jason - "I thought it was alright." (but he has a cold and can't breathe through his nose)
Riley - wouldn't touch it
Erin - Two Thumbs Down. I like the raisins and the pine nuts, but the quinoa had a weird taste and an even weirder consistency. I didn't eat more than a few bites. I won't say that I'll never make quinoa again, but I definitely won't be making it any time soon!
This recipe has 230 calories per serving with 7 grams of fat (1 g saturated fat). It cost:
quinoa - $5 (I have enough left for another recipe)
golden raisins - $2.48 (tons left)
pine nuts - $3.84 (lots left)
parsley - $.66
carrots - $.74 (only used 1)
onion - $.67 (only used half)
chicken stock - $2
So, I've now finished my first recipe. :) On the count of 3, "Start Cookin'!" One, Two, Three, "Start Cookin'!"
Okay so I read that first part as BURGER not Bulger..... ROCK ON I thought I am getting a burger for lunch!!!! woops....
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