Quinoa and Black Beans

maxs_mom
on 10/11/08 12:21 pm - Auburn, WA

I'm pre-op but love to cook and have been gathering nutritious recipes for after surgery.  This one appeals to me even if WLS wasn't a factor.  ~Amy~

QUINOA AND BLACK BEANS

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
  • 3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup frozen corn kernels
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

DIRECTIONS

  1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, and saute until lightly browned.
  2. Mix quinoa into the saucepan and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes, Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro .
QUINOA [ KEEN-wah ] Although quinoa is new to the American market, it was a staple of the ancient Incas, who called it "the mother grain." To this day it's an important food in South American cuisine. Hailed as the "supergrain of the future," quinoa contains more protein than any other grain. It's considered a complete protein because it contains all eight essential amino acids. Quinoa is also higher in unsaturated fats and lower in carbohydrates than most grains, and it provides a rich and balanced source of vital nutrients. Tiny and bead-shaped, the ivory-colored quinoa cooks like rice (taking half the time of regular rice) and expands to four times its original volume. Its flavor is delicate, almost bland, and has been compared to that of couscous. Quinoa is lighter than but can be used in any way suitable for rice-as part of a main dish, a side dish, in soups, in salads and even in puddings. It's available packaged as a grain, ground into flour and in several forms of pasta. Quinoa can be found in most health-food stores and some supermarkets.

 

    
Richbehr
on 10/14/08 2:11 am - North Haven, CT
RNY on 03/24/08 with
I've been looking for recipes using Quinoa, this looks good except for the corn. For me corn is a no-no until I'm at least 1 year post-op.
Thanks!

 
"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun."

maxs_mom
on 10/14/08 3:35 am - Auburn, WA

A quick internet search yielded some more quinoa recipes http://healthycooking.suite101.com/article.cfm/quinoa_recipe s

I think that the Quinoa and Butternut Squash Gratin Sounds especially tasty

Quinoa with Butternut Squash Gratin

  • 1 20 oz. package peeled and diced butternut squash or a 1-1/2 lb. butternut squash peeled and diced
  • 1 cup organic quinoa
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp. shallots
  • 1/2 cup egg substitute, such as Egg Beaters
  • 1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 1 slice Italian bread
  • salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a 2-quart baking or gratin dish with nonstick cooking spray.

If using pre-cut butternut squash, pierce the package a few times with a fork and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes until squash is soft and tender. If using a whole squash, peel and cube it, then put in a ziploc plastic bag and seal. Then pierce a few times with a fork and microwave as directed above.

Wash the quinoa in a fine sieve thoroughly (about 5 minutes****il water runs clear. This is very important, as quinoa has a bitter protective coating that can linger even after processing.

Transfer squash and quinoa to a large (2 or 3-quart) pot. Add water and salt to pot and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and the quinoa blooms into little spirals. Remove from heat and let rest.

Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium heat in a small frying pan. Add shallots and cook 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook a minute or two longer, being careful not to let garlic burn. Pour over quinoa and squash mixture, mixing thoroughly. Add egg substitute, 3/4 cup of the cheese, and salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer to prepared baking or gratin dish. Pulse bread in a food processor or blender a few times until fine bread crumbs are formed. Sprinkle remaining cheese and bread crumbs over gratin. Drizzle remaining 1 Tbsp. of olive oil on top and bake for 35-45 minutes or until top is golden brown.

Serves 8.

 

    
Richbehr
on 10/14/08 3:44 am - North Haven, CT
RNY on 03/24/08 with
This will be GREAT to bring to a pot luck I'm going to soon and I'm also going to make it for Thanksgiving.
I bet it will freeze good too.
THANK you again

 
"Death borders upon our birth, and our cradle stands in the grave. Our birth is nothing but our death begun."

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