How to Make Coconut Quinoa

How to Make Coconut Quinoa.

The combination of coconut and quinoa is delicious. The wonderful thing about coconut quinoa is that it can be served for breakfast with berries, nuts and seeds or cooked for dinner with a range of side dishes or as part of a curry. If you have rice cooker or a slow cooker, coconut quinoa is very easy to make. It can also be cooked on the stovetop. Enjoy coconut quinoa with sweet flavors like maple syrup and honey or with spices like cinnamon.

Ingredients Basic Coconut Quinoa.
1tablespoon of coconut oil, 1 1/2cups of rinsed quinoa.
1 (13.5 ounce) can of unsweetened coconut milk, 1 teaspoon of salt.
Serves six people.

Ingredients Coconut Quinoa with Maple Syrup.
1 cup of rinsed quinoa, 15 oz. of coconut milk.
1/2 a cup of water, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup.
Serves four people.

Ingredients Coconut Quinoa Porridge with Blueberries.
1 cup (8 oz) rinsed, white quinoa, 1 1/2 cups (12 fl. oz) coconut milk.
1/2 a cup (4 fl oz) and two tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of vanilla powder.
1/2 a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 3 teaspoons of honey, 1 pint (8 oz) of blueberries.
1 tablespoon of coconut chips, 1 tablespoon of roasted pistachios, 2 teaspoons of chia seeds.
2 teaspoons of coconut sugar, 2 tablespoons of almond butter, 1 peeled, sliced banana, Almond milk to serve.
Serves two or three people.

Ingredients Coconut Quinoa Curry.
1 peeled, chopped sweet potato, A large broccoli crown, 1/2 a cup of diced white onion.
15 oz. of rinsed, drained chick peas, 28 oz of diced tomatoes, 29 oz. of coconut milk.
1/4 of a cup of quinoa, Two large minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon of grated ginger.
1 tablespoon of grated turmeric, 2 teaspoons of tamari sauce, 1/2 a teaspoon of chili flakes, 1- 1 1/2 cups of water.
Serves six to eight people.

Method 1 Making Basic Coconut Quinoa.
1. Toast the quinoa. Start by heating the oil in a medium sized saucepan on medium heat. Then, throw in the quinoa and toast it for five minutes. You should stir it around to make sure the quinoa is coated in oil and gets brown but not burnt.
2. Cook the coconut quinoa. Add the salt, a cup and a half of water and the coconut milk. Once the mixture comes to a boil, turn it down to a simmer. Simmer it for twenty to twenty five minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed. Leave it, off the burner, to rest for ten minutes and then serve it.
3. Add maple syrup to the basic coconut quinoa. Put the ingredients in a medium sized saucepan. Once it has come to a boil, turn it down to a simmer. Let it simmer until all of the liquid is absorbed, which should take around ten minutes.
If you have a rice cooker, you can just throw all of the ingredients inside and set it to white rice setting.
This wonderful recipe can be served alongside Asian inspired, salty or spicy dishes. It can also be served on its own.

Method 2 Making Coconut Quinoa with Blueberries.
1. Cook the coconut quinoa. Put a saucepan on high heat. Throw in the quinoa, one cup of the coconut milk, half a cup of water, half a teaspoon of vanilla powder and all of the cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once it boils, immediately turn it down to a simmer. Let it simmer for twelve minutes, which should allow the liquid to be absorbed into the quinoa. Finally, stir in two teaspoons of honey and the rest of the coconut milk.
2. Make the blueberry sauce for the porridge. Put a saucepan on medium to low heat. Put the blueberries, two tablespoons of water, the rest of the vanilla and a teaspoon of honey. Cook the mixture for six minutes.
If it is winter, you can get frozen blueberries in the freezer section of your grocery store. If it is summer, make an outing of it and go blueberry picking.
3. Mix the nuts. Stir the coconut chips, pistachios, chia seeds and coconut sugar in a little bowl. Optionally, you could throw in a few chia seeds or other seeds or nuts of your choice. It tastes great with most kinds of nuts and seeds. Consider adding the following healthy nuts to the existing recipe.
Consider adding some Brazil nuts, which are a great source of selenium.
Throw in some almonds, which are a great source of riboflavin, vitamin E, and magnesium. They also have lots of protein.
Put in some pistachios, which have lots of healthy fat.
4. Serve the porridge. Serve a few ladles of quinoa into the serving bowls. Put some almond butter on top. Pour the blueberry mixture on top. Finally, sprinkle some sliced banana and the nut mixture.

Method 3 Making Coconut Curry.
1. Get out your slow cooker. In a slow cooker, add a cup of water. Then, add all of the ingredients. Mix the ingredients around until everything looks well mixed.
If you don't have a slow cooker, consider getting one. You should look for one that distributes heat evenly and has a removable insert, since it will be easier to wash. They make cooking easier, since you can get other things done while you are making your curry.
If you have more time on your hands, you could cook the chick peas from scratch instead of using a can.
2. Turn on the slow cooker. If you cook it on low, it will take five hours. If you cook it on a higher setting, it will cook in three or four hours. You should check it after three hours.
Root vegetables take longer to cook so put them on the bottom of the pot closer to the heat source. If your slow cooker has the heat element only on the bottom or top, as opposed to all around the sides, you will need to stir it more often.
If you want a darker curry, you could cook the ginger, garlic and onion a bit before putting them in your slow cooker. If you prefer a lighter curry, put them in raw at the same time as all your ingredients.
If you prefer a spicier curry, you could add another tablespoon each of ginger and turmeric.
3. Check to see if it is done. You will know it is done when the potatoes are fully cooked and the curry looks nice and thick. If it is still somewhat watery, it needs to keep cooking. The best way to check is to taste the potatoes to see if they are done all the way through. It should be warm and spicy.

Things You'll Need : Rice cooker, Slow cooker, Medium sized saucepan.

April 09, 2020

How to Make Healthier Breakfasts Using Quinoa

How to Make Healthier Breakfasts Using Quinoa.

Quinoa quickly become a very popular and nutritious whole grain. It's available in nearly every grocery store and many people now have access to this great, gluten-free whole grain. Although quinoa is considered a "whole grain," it's actually a seed. It's classified as a grain because it cooks and is eaten like a grain (like rice or couscous). Quinoa in particular, is very high in protein, fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals. In fact, it has about 5 g of fiber and 8 g of protein per cup. However, quinoa shouldn't only be eaten as a side dish at dinner. You can also use quinoa in your breakfast making it a very nutritious meal.

Method 1 Making Hot Quinoa Porridge for Breakfast.
1. Get out the right cooking equipment. Like oatmeal, quinoa can be made into a delicious and warm breakfast meal. You'll need to get out the right equipment to make warm quinoa porridge for breakfast.
Start by setting out a heavy-bottomed pot. While it is possible to microwave quinoa, cooking it on the stovetop like traditional oatmeal is done more commonly, particularly when you want to cook it to the consistency of porridge.
You will not need a pot with a lid to make quinoa porridge. You need to continually stir without the lid to get the proper consistency of this dish.
You'll also need to keep an eye on your quinoa and stir consistently as it cooks. Use a wooden spoon or spatula to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
2. Choose your mixing liquid. You'll need to choose what type of liquid you want to use to make your hot quinoa porridge. Depending on your diet, there are a variety of options to choose from.
Try regular milk. Whether you do skim or whole milk, adding milk to your warm quinoa can help make your porridge creamy and rich. Plus, it'll add a hit of calcium and protein.
If you don't want to use cow's milk, you can also do dairy substitutes. Try almond, soy or even rice milk if you'd like. They all work well in this recipe.
If you don't want to use any milk at all, you can also make your porridge with water. It won't add any creaminess to your porridge, but still gets it to the right consistency.
3. Whisk in spices and flavorings. Like oatmeal and other hot breakfast cereals, you can add a variety of different spices or flavorings to your quinoa porridge. Follow a recipe or consider adding your favorite flavors.
If you like you can add some extracts to your hot quinoa to add flavor. Try adding vanilla, almond or even coconut extract to your quinoa.
If you like a natural source of vanilla, consider cooking your quinoa with a split vanilla bean for flavor.
Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger or clove are also quite tasty in a warm quinoa porridge.
4. Add your sweetener. Quinoa is not naturally sweet. In fact, it can sometimes have a more savory or even slightly bitter flavor. If you're looking for a sweet porridge, you'll need to add a source of sweetness to your porridge.
If you want to add a natural sweetener that isn't as processed as white sugar, consider drizzling in some honey, agave syrup, molasses or maple syrup.
If you're watching your total calorie or sugar intake, you may opt for a no-calorie sweetener like sucralose or truvia.
You can also consider leaving out sweeteners altogether. If you make your porridge with milk and add spices or fruit, there might be enough natural sweetness for your tastes.
5. Consider balancing your quinoa breakfast with other toppings. Once your quinoa porridge is made, there are a lot of different toppings you can add on. Whether you like Chia seeds, nuts, dried fruit or fresh fruit, you can add an additional hit of nutrition with some toppings.
Try fresh fruit on your quinoa. You can add any type of fruit you'd like. Apples would go well with cinnamon and nutmeg or sliced peaches may go well with vanilla extract.
You can also add dried fruit to your porridge as well. It's little chewier and sometimes tart which can be a nice addition to your breakfast meal.
You can also add some healthy fats and protein by adding nuts to quinoa. Whether it's almonds, cashews or pistachios, these are other great toppings.

Method 2 Using Quinoa in Other Breakfast Recipes.
1. Make a quinoa granola. If you like a little crunch on your morning yogurt, consider making a quinoa granola. Using a high-protein grain like quinoa can boost the nutrition of a traditional granola recipe.
Start this recipe by preheating your oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of rolled oats, 1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, 2 cups of nuts, 1 tablespoon of honey and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine.
In the microwave, melt 3 1/2 tablespoons of coconut oil together with 1/4 cup of maple syrup. Stir frequently until the liquids are completely combined. Pour immediately over the dry ingredients.
Pour the granola onto a rimmed baking sheet and press into an even layer. Bake for about 30 minutes. Half way through the baking process, stir the granola to ensure even browning. Allow to cool thoroughly and serve at room temperature.
2. Add cooked quinoa to a breakfast burrito. For a Mexican spin on your breakfast, make breakfast burritos. Adding quinoa will provide an additional source of protein and fiber to your burrito.
Start by scrambling 1 egg over medium heat in a nonstick skillet. Once cooked, place in a small bowl.
Add in 1/3 cup of cooked quinoa and 1/4 cup of thawed chopped frozen or baby spinach to your scrambled egg along with a generous sprinkling of shredded low-fat sharp cheddar cheese.
Place your burrito filling into the center of a 8" whole wheat tortilla. Roll up tightly and serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and stick in the freezer for another day.
3. Make a quinoa breakfast hash. If you're in the mood for a savory and filling breakfast, try making quinoa hash. Substitute quinoa for shredded potatoes in this tasty recipe.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add four strips of bacon (or skip this step if you don't eat meat or like bacon). Cook until the bacon is crunchy and the fat has rendered out. Remove bacon from pan and roughly chop.
To the still hot pan, add in 1 cup of cooked quinoa, 1/2 cup of diced peppers, 1/2 cup of diced onions and 1 cup of sliced mushrooms. Sauté for about five to six minutes or until vegetables are soft and quinoa is heated through.
Turn up the heat slightly. Press the quinoa mixture down into the bottom of the pan. Allow to crisp up and brown for about one to two minutes. Serve immediately with eggs if you'd like.
An alternate recipe is to make a mixture of cooked quinoa, peeled and grated raw potato then add to eggs and spices to taste. Cook on a large skillet for about seven minutes on each side until golden brown.
4. Bake quinoa muffins. If you're in a rush in the mornings, you can try making quinoa muffins ahead of time for a quick, protein and fiber filled breakfast. Freeze leftovers so you'll have a stock of these tasty muffins.
Start by preheating an oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a muffin tin with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 cup of cooked quinoa, 1/2 cup of applesauce, 1 mashed banana, 1/2 cup of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla and 1/4 cup of honey. Mix until thoroughly combined.
Peel and roughly chop 1 apple or pear and stir into the quinoa mixture as well.
Fill each muffin tin to the top with the quinoa mixture. Bake for about 20 – 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for five minutes before enjoying.

Method 3 Purchasing and Using Quinoa.
1. Choose the type of quinoa. Quinoa is now available in most local supermarkets. You don't have to go to a specialty store or health foods store to find this nutritious grain.
When you're looking for quinoa, it will be found in the grain aisle along with rice, couscous and pasta.
There may be more than one type of quinoa available. You may see white, black, red or even tri-colored quinoa.
Of all the quinoa colors, white or tan quinoa has the lightest texture and it cooks up slightly fluffier than other types and has the most delicate taste. Black quinoa has a slight earthy flavor while the red quinoa has a richer taste and a bit chewier texture and nutty. These two take slightly longer to cook than the white quinoa.
If you're using quinoa in a breakfast recipe, especially if kids are eating it, you may want to stick with white as it's most similar in color to oats.
2. Purchase dry or pre-cooked quinoa. Most of the time, you'll be able to find uncooked quinoa in the grain aisle of the grocery store; however, some stores may have pre-cooked quinoa for you.
Quinoa only takes about 15 minutes to cook from scratch. If you can only find uncooked quinoa, that will work perfectly in many breakfast recipes. Plus its not hard to cook from scratch.
If you are lacking in time or are unsure of how to cook quinoa, some stores sell precooked quinoa. You might find this in the grain aisle, refrigerated section, on the salad bar or even in the frozen section.
Pre-cooked quinoa may be a little bit more convenient and make for a faster breakfast recipe.
3. Rinse quinoa before using. If you haven't cooked quinoa before, there is a little secret trick to make it correctly. You'll need to rinse it first before cooking it.
Quinoa has a coating on the outside of the seed that acts as a natural pest repellent. It's called saponin. This is a natural compound that tastes bitter and soapy if not removed from the quinoa.
Place quinoa in a fine mesh strainer or a sieve. Run it under cold water, stirring or shaking it to help get all the seeds washed thoroughly.
Transfer your washed quinoa directly to your pot or pan and begin to cook it.
Note that some boxed quinoa or quinoa mixes are already washed or rinsed. You do not need to repeat this step. Make sure to read the instructions on boxes or packages first.
4. Store cooked quinoa correctly. Many of the breakfast recipes that do use quinoa, call for cooked quinoa. Making it in advance can help cut down on an extra step and cooking time in the mornings.
Consider taking time on the weekend or a free weeknight to go ahead and cook up a batch of quinoa.
Make sure to review what recipes you'll be making for breakfast and note how much cooked quinoa you'll need for the week.
Dry quinoa usually doubles in volume after cooking. 1/2 cup of uncooked or dry quinoa results in about 1 cup of cooked quinoa.
Store quinoa in a airtight container in the refrigerator for about five to seven days. You can also store it in a freezer container for up to three months.
5. Finished.

Tips.

Quinoa is a great whole grain that can be used in a variety of breakfast recipes. Keep trying new recipes until you find something you like.
Quinoa can be used in most recipes that contain a grain — like oats. Just substitute in quinoa instead.
Quinoa can have a unique flavor that may take some getting used to. Trying different flavorings and seasonings until you find a combination you enjoy.

April 08, 2020

How to Cook White Quinoa

How to Cook White Quinoa.

Quinoa is a grain that provides ample protein and other key nutrients such as amino acids. This makes it a great substitute for vegans and vegetarians and also those with an allergy to gluten. The many colors of quinoa offer different flavors, making white quinoa the most commonly used for its mild and sweet finish. White quinoa can be served as a side dish or as an addition to other recipes and is easily prepared using a stovetop, rice cooker or microwave.

Method 1 Simmering White Quinoa in a Saucepan
1. Rinse 1 cup (190 grams) of quinoa in a fine mesh colander. Run water over your uncooked quinoa for at least 30 seconds and drain it thoroughly. Rinsing your quinoa before cooking will remove any potential bitterness from its coating.
Saponin naturally occurs and coats quinoa, which can give it a soapy or bitter taste if it is not removed prior to cooking.
2. Add 2 cups (16  fl oz) of water to a saucepan. After pouring in your water, add your 1 cup (190 grams) of quinoa to the pan and gently to stir to mix together.
When adding liquid to your quinoa use 2 parts or 2 cups (380 grams) water for every 1 part or 1 cup (8.0  fl oz) of quinoa.
3. Simmer the quinoa for 10-20 minutes until the water is absorbed. Set your stove to medium-high heat and allow the water to boil. Once the water is boiling reduce the heat to bring the mixture to a light simmer.
Smaller amounts of quinoa will be finished closer to 10 minutes, while larger portions will take anywhere between 15-20 minutes.
Reduce your heat as needed while cooking to maintain a light simmer.
4. Allow the quinoa to steam for 5 minutes. Steam your quinoa by keeping the pan covered and by removing the pan from direct heat. This will add a fluffy texture to your quinoa. After the 5 minutes are up, remove the cover and fluff your quinoa gently with a fork.
If you are eating your quinoa plain, add a pinch of salt to taste. You can also drizzle some olive oil or add a clove of garlic for more flavor.
5. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Having leftovers of your quinoa is great because it keeps very well. Just make sure that it has cooled to room temperature before covering and putting it into the refrigerator.

Method 2 Cooking Your Quinoa in a Rice Cooker.
1. Coat the bottom and sides of your rice cooker with coconut oil. This will help your quinoa from sticking to the pan while cooking. It also helps keep the quinoa fluffy by adding moisture and texture.
Some non-stick cookers may not require a coat of coconut oil prior to cooking but it is always an option and will not affect the cooking process of your quinoa.
2. Place your dry quinoa into your rice cooker. Some brands of quinoa require you to rinse it in a fine mesh colander before cooking. For this method adding in dry quinoa works best. The liquids you add with provide sufficient moisture for your quinoa.
Buying prewashed quinoa works best for this method.
3. Add 14.5 fluid ounces (1.81  c) of chicken broth to your quinoa. There is no need to stir your ingredients together. The quinoa will naturally absorb the liquid while it cooks. If needed you can substitute the chicken broth for vegetable broth or water.
4. Set your rice cooker to the “brown or white rice” setting. If you only have one rice option, setting your cooker to the main rice setting will work just as well. Once you select your setting, simply put the lid on the rice cooker and press the start button.
Cooking quinoa in a rice cooker will take around 30 minutes.
5. Allow your quinoa to cool uncovered for 3-4 minutes. After giving your quinoa time to cool, gently fluff it with a fork. Using a fork to fluff out your quinoa will not only help keep an airy texture but lock in the moisture it absorbed during the cooking process.
If you opted not to use chicken broth, add a pinch of salt to taste.
6. Serve your quinoa right out of the cooker or add to another dish. After the short cooling period, your quinoa will be ready to serve. It makes a great side dish and can be served alone or can be added to enhance other recipes.
7. Store any unused quinoa for up to 4 days. Keep any leftovers in the refrigerator, sealed in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

Method 3 Microwaving Your Quinoa.
1. Put your rinsed quinoa into a microwave-safe dish. Either rinse your quinoa in a fine mesh colander for 30 seconds or purchase quinoa that has already been prewashed. Use ceramic or another microwave safe bowl that will provide you with enough room to add in the liquid.
2. Add 2 parts liquid for every 1 part quinoa to your microwave safe dish. If you are cooking 1 cup (190 grams) of quinoa you will need 2 cups (16  fl oz) of liquid. When adding your liquid, you can use different types of broths such as chicken or vegetable. You can also simply use water, however, for this cooking method a type of broth is preferred.
Not adding enough liquid will cause your quinoa to dry out during the cooking process.
3. Cook your quinoa on high heat 5 minutes. Your microwave, most likely, will already be set to high heat or normal mode. Make sure that your microwave is set to its highest setting.
4. Reduce microwave power and cook for an additional 15 minutes. After letting your quinoa cook for 5 minutes reduce the heat of your microwave to 40% power and let it cook for another 15 minutes and let it cool for another 3-4 minutes before serving.
You will not need to stir your quinoa in between cooking sequences.
Some microwaves will allow you to program in both sequences prior to cooking.

Maret 31, 2020

how to puff quinoa

How to Puff Quinoa.

Quinoa has long been a staple crop of the Andes region, but only recently made waves in the rest of the world. You may have cooked this protein-rich seed as though it were rice, but it's worth "puffing" it like popcorn as well. This is a quick, low-effort recipe — especially if the quinoa is pre-rinsed — that makes a good snack or topping.



Part 1 Rinsing the Quinoa (Optional).

1. Decide whether to rinse. All quinoa naturally produces bitter substances called saponins. Most companies treat the quinoa to remove most of the saponins before they reach the store, but there may still be a faint biter taste. Rinsing will remove this, but you'll have to wait at least half an hour for the seeds to dry.

If you decide not to rinse, skip down to the puffing instructions.

2. Rinse the quinoa in a bowl. Place the quinoa in a bowl. Fill it with cold water. If the quinoa still contains saponins, foam will form on the surface.

3. Pour the quinoa through a strainer. Empty the bowl into a fine mesh strainer. Hold it under cold running water to remove the foam.

4. Repeat until foam stops forming. Return the quinoa to a bowl so you can watch for foam, then rinse again. The quinoa is ready once no more foam forms on the surface, and the seeds all remain in the bottom of the bowl.

5. Set your oven to the lowest temperature. Set your oven to "warm" or to the lowest temperature setting. There's no need to wait for preheating — just continue to the next step.

6. Dry your quinoa in the oven. Spread out the wet quinoa on a dry baking tray. Check every ten minutes and stir to break up large clumps. Remove when completely dry. This usually takes thirty to sixty minutes.

To further reduce the risk of burning, leave the oven door ajar.

You can move on to the stovetop before the quinoa is completely dry. You'll just have to wait for the moisture to evaporate before the quinoa pops, which can take 10–30 minutes.



Part 2 Puffing the Quinoa.

1. Heat a heavy-bottomed sauce pan. To prevent a quinoa avalanche, this pan should either have a lid or be at least six inches (15 cm) deep. Heat the pan over medium heat.

2. Add oil (optional). Many people choose to pop their quinoa dry for health reasons. If you prefer a crisper puffed quinoa, cover the base of the pan with about 1 tbsp (15 mL) of oil. A neutral-flavored oil such as canola or safflower is a good choice.

3. Add a little quinoa to test the heat. Add a sprinkle of dry quinoa to the pan. If the pan is hot enough, the quinoa should pop within a few seconds. Quinoa does not expand nearly as much as popcorn kernels, but it will turn brown, jump in the air, and release a nutty aroma.

4. Cover the base of the pan with quinoa. Once the pan is hot enough, pour in quinoa in a single layer on the base of the pan.

5. Shake the pan until the popping slows. Shake constantly to even out the temperature and prevent stuck, burnt seeds. Remove from heat once popping starts to slow, usually after one to five minutes.

If you are using a pan with a lid, crack it a couple times to let steam escape. Do this on the side facing away from you to avoid steam and quinoa rocketing to your face.

You can continue cooking to make the quinoa browner, nuttier, and crunchier, but the quinoa will burn easily after this point.

6. Shake off heat until popping stops. As long as you don't smell burning, you can continue shaking the pan off heat for another minute or two. Pour the puffed quinoa onto a baking sheet to cool down once popping stops.



Part 3 Using the Puffed Quinoa.

1. Flavor to eat as a snack. Replace your popcorn with a bowlful of puffed quinoa, mixed with a little salt and pepper. Alternatively, add a dash of chile oil, or a sprinkle of your favorite dried herbs.

2. Add the quinoa to breakfast cereal. You've just made a healthier version of puffed rice cereals. Eat it with milk or add it to homemade granola (before or after baking).

3. Sprinkle over salad or vegetable dishes. Puffed quinoa adds a great crunchy texture to salads in place of nuts or croutons. It also works well with roasted or sautéed vegetables.

4. Use them in energy bars. Make protein-rich hiking snacks by combining puffed quinoa with nuts and other high-energy foods.

5. Mix puffed quinoa into cookie dough. Replace some of the oats in an oatmeal cookie, or add it to any cookie recipe for crunch and protein.

Februari 20, 2020