While quinoa has been in bulk-bins and health food stores for awhile, it’s just recently that there has really been an uprising in use of quinoa.  Quinoa isn’t actually a grain but is instead a seed that looks and acts like a grain.  It’s a protein power house that seems to be everywhere you turn.  It comes in three different shades (tan, red, and black) and cooks up in just shy of 15 minutes.

Because quinoa is so quick to cook up, I will only ever make what I need.  Quinoa is one of those grains (seeds) that seems to fit in at every meal.  Quinoa makes a great hot breakfast cereal, a perfect light lunch, or a hearty dinner.  I love this video on how to cook quinoa.   Quinoa also can be milled in to flour or the whole seeds make a great addition to a hearty loaf of bread.

My recipes with Quinoa:

Caramelized Cauliflower, Roasted Red Pepper, and Quinoa Salad

Curried Cauliflower and Quinoa Salad

Curry-Yogurt Acorn Squash with Cilantro Quinoa

Fava Bean and Quinoa Salad

Going Away Dinner (with Cucumber-Feta Quinoa Salad)

Grilled Asparagus and Chili-Orange Quinoa Spring Rolls

Maple-Cinnamon Quinoa Granola

Multigrain Rolls

Quinoa Asian Slaw

Quinoa Patties with Eggs and Spinach Pesto

Quinoa, Cabbage, and Garbanzo Beans

Roasted Butternut Squash, Quinoa, and Jalapeño Chimichurri Tacos

Sesame-Ginger and Quinoa Spring Rolls

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Stew with Quinoa

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad

Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad with Soft-Boiled Eggs

Twice Baked Butternut Squash (with quinoa and gorgonzola)