Trade-Up Tuesday: Quinoa Cookbook Giveaway
It’s Trade Up Tuesday! That’s everyone’s favorite day here at A Better Bag of Groceries because there’s a giveaway at the end of this blogpost. Typically, I give away some groceries, but lately, I’ve been changing things up. Today, I have a fabulous cookbook giveaway: Quinoa Revolution. This amazing cookbook was sent to me by the publishers so that I could try it out and give away a copy to one lucky A Better Bag of Groceries Reader.
Quinoa is a funny food. I find that when I mention it, people either know exactly what I’m talking about or they say, “Keen- what?” So, let me just start with a little Quinoa primer. First of all, here’s how to pronounce it: Keen-Wah. So, what is quinoa, exactly?
Quinoa seeds are one of the few plant foods that contain all the essential amino acids, making it a complete protein. You heard me right; Quinoa is technically a seed not a grain! It explains the nice nutty flavor quinoa has. As a complete protein it is equivalent to the quality of animal protein – providing the amino acid building blocks needed to support your immune system, wound healing, tissue repair, hair growth, and building hormones. In addition to protein, Quinoa is also a good source of B vitamins and other minerals. The seed is gluten free, making it a great food for those who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Most quinoa is grown in South America and the Inca Indians have been eating the seed, which they call “Mother Grain”, for over 5,000 years.
Check out the protein on the Nutrition Facts Panel!
I love quinoa, so I was very excited to receive Quinoa Revolution in the mail. It’s a beautiful cookbook.
Authors Patricia Green and Carolyn Hemming have figured out how to use quinoa in just about every meal!
We decided on a simple one-skillet dinner dish to try this cookbook out. Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa.
Ingredients
1/2 cup water
3/4 cup quinoa (NuVal score of 91)
1 tsp grapeseed oil or vegetable oil (grapeseed oil scores a 10 on the NuVal scale, Wesson vegetable oil scores a 16)
1 cup chopped shallots (NuVal score of 96)
2 chicken breasts, diced (NuVal score of 39)
1 tsp minced garlic (NuVal score of 91)
1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (we had not scored this brand that I used. Cento marinated and quartered artichoke hearts score a 26)
1 cup chopped tomatoes (NuVal score of 96)
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese (NuVal score of 26 for President Feta)
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (NuVal score of 99)
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
Directions
Bring the water and quinoa to a boil in a small saucepan. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-low heat. Add the shallots; cook until transparent and the edges are starting to brown. Add the chicken; cook until the chicken is no longer pink, 6 to 7 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the quinoa and the garlic, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, feta, parsley, lemon juice and oregano.
Gently reheat and serve.
Yum!
This recipe reminded us of a chicken, artichoke, red pepper and penne dish that I used to make years ago – that was much less nutritious! That old recipe used a lot of oil, pasta and I think even cheese. I was amazed at how little oil went into this recipe. It was delicious! Our daughter was at a neighbor’s for dinner that night – and my son had a friend over. So, we tested this out with two 9-year-old boys. And they both liked it! They especially liked the chicken and the artichokes. I can’t wait to explore the rest of this cookbook!
Today’s Giveaway
One lucky A Better Bag of Groceries Reader will win a copy of Quinoa Revolution. All you need to do is leave a comment below telling me one of the following:
-
If you’ve tried quinoa (and if so, how? plain? in a recipe?)
- If you’ve never tried quinoa
- If you’ve never heard of quinoa
- If you never knew how to pronounce quinoa until today
I’ll select one winner at random at 8 am Eastern on Wednesday January 30th. Good Luck!
Posted by: Melissa 44 comments
Posted in: Trade-Up Tuesday
Tags: Trade-Up Tuesday
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 7:39 am
As a vegetarian, I eat quinoa quite frequently. I love how versitle it is and love using it in Mexican inspired recipes.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:03 am
I use it to make quinoa salads with whatever veggies & dressing are on hand or sound good at the moment. Also love to make little quinoa cakes out of it.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:13 am
Love , love quinoa but do need ideas to use up that Costco sized bag! Favorite recipe is form the NY Times !
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:23 am
Never heard of it nor tried it!! But the high protein makes it worth the buy! I would like to give it a try.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:37 am
I’ve used Quinoa before as a salad topper, or to replace rice in a stir fry. Once I even tried making Quinoa “burgers” but that was quickly shot down by the kids. LOL
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:42 am
I love quinoa! My favorite recipe so far is this one: http://www.thewannabechef.net/2011/10/06/banana-breakfast-quinoa/. A great, filling alternative to oatmeal!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:21 am
I eat quinoa ALL THE TIME, and would love this!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:46 am
I love quinoa cooked with almonds, raisins and a little pinch of cumin
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:49 am
I love quinoa! I’m always adding it to soups for an extra boost of protein. Or using quinoa instead of rice when making chicken stir fry. I’ve even gotten my boyfriend to like it (this was no small task)!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:53 am
I’ve tried quinoa many times – my favorite way to eat it is in salads! This cookbook looks like great quinoa inspiration!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:57 am
I tried quinoa for the first time about a year ago! My husband and I enjoy it and I am always looking for different ways to prepare it! Would love to win this cookbook for some new recipes!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 10:03 am
I have tried quinoa a few times with mixed success…I bought it in bulk and I think did not use the right proportion of liquid in cooking it. Anyway, I do love the taste and would love this cookbook with more ideas to use it!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 10:06 am
Yep, I’ve tried it. In a salad a friend brought over. I really liked it. Just haven’t gotten the courage up to make any recipes with it.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 10:29 am
I have never had quinoa but this cookbook could change that!!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 11:03 am
I’ve had Quinoa and use it in stir-fry, mix it with my breakfast oatmeal and use the flour in breads and sweets.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 11:08 am
I have only used quinoa in a pilaf recipe – I would love to have some more ways to use it!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 11:17 am
i LOVE quinoa, and I actually just discovered breakfast quinoa and made a sweet version for a breakfast “cereal”. it was amazing. but i love it as a dinner savory side dish too. it’s so versatile and SO good for you. i don’t eat a lot of meat so I love i can get a complete protein from eating it!!
i would love to find more recipes for using it.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 11:26 am
i am surprised that i have never had quinoa but i am anxious to try it. Thanks for the recipe!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 11:38 am
I love quinoa and would love this cookbook! I only discovered it a few years ago, but now use it all kinds of ways…in pancakes, as breakfast cereal(instead of oatmeal), and in place of rice for any meal.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 12:57 pm
Isn’t it just plain fun to say Quinoa, not to mention the fun of cooking with it.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
I love making fried rice with quinoa. Maybe I’ll make that for dinner tonight.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 4:36 pm
I haven’t tried quinoa yet, but I’m not opposed to it!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 5:18 pm
Quinoa is one of my all-time favorites these days!! I eat it nearly every day.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
Love quinoa, plain, tri colored, etc. I mix it with pumpkin puree and toasted pine nuts and stuff it into a baked acorn squash, a great vegan dish!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 6:46 pm
I have been wanting to try quinoa but have been unsure of the best way to incorporate it into a menu.
Hoping to try it soon
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 7:05 pm
I have tried quinoa a few times but I really need help in getting some good recipes so my family will like it.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 7:18 pm
I have tried quinoa once, but I either didn’t make it right or need to use it in different ways, the hubby didn’t care for it and I would love to “hide” it in recipes to get him to eat whats good for him:)
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 7:37 pm
I added chopped tomatoes, black beans, corn and scallions.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 7:49 pm
I’m a huge fan of quinoa. My most recent recipe was for a variation on macaroni and cheese using quinoa and broccoli. Yummy!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
Would love this recipe book!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:00 pm
I’ve heard of quinoa but have not come to the plate preparing this new food group! I am so thrilled with the idea of this food’s assets, it is time to purchase and prepare! Thank you for the play by play blog pictures on what looks to be a great dish above.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:19 pm
Melissa
Thanks for the great info on quinoa…plan to make this recipe over the weekend.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:35 pm
I love quinoa! I cook it all of the time and would love this cookbook. My recipe I cooked this week was the one you shared-the green bean and quinoa salad with the balsamic vinegar, feta cheese and almonds. Delicious!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
I had a box of quinoa for ages in my cupboard but was always so afraid to really try it. I kept hearing how great it was for you but so many others saying “but it tastes so disgusting” or “it’s an acquired taste” so I would always chicken out. Then one day Wegmans had their brand of Quinoa with wild rice and garlic in a microwaveable bag. I bought a bunch because they were 79 cents a pack and fed both of us! OMG I fell in love. I eat it all the time NOW but I’ve yet to truly use that box in my cupboard because I can never find any realistic recipes.
This book would really be a blessing to me!!!!! That dish alone is worth getting my box out and trying! LOL
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Have wanted to try quinoa for the longest time!
Just had supper but those gorgeous photos are making me hungry!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:27 pm
I’ve tried quinoa and love it. We use it quite often in our recipes that call for rice
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:28 pm
I have tried quinoa! We love it!
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 9:57 pm
I started cooking Quinoa just last year. I usually make it with almonds and craisins. The recipe above looks delicious. Is there a printable version available? I need some more recipes.
on Jan 29th, 2013 at 11:55 pm
I love it with raisins and honey for breakfast, also make a great soup.
on Jan 30th, 2013 at 1:13 am
I have eaten it. Costco had a season rice/quinoa blend that I tried and it was excellent.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com
on Jan 30th, 2013 at 5:13 am
I do use quinoa! I’ve made it plain, or as a seasoned pilaf. I’ve also thrown mexican spices in with it, and served it as taco “meat”. It’s so versatile! I’d love to have a cookbook that would help me with more ideas!
on Jan 30th, 2013 at 7:41 am
I’ve used quinoa on a limited basis – not in the habit YET! We really do like it so I’m not sure why I don’t use it more.
A great quick and easy quinoa recipe – 2-3 c coked quinoa; can of drained black beans; and mango salsa (original recipe had you chopping all those ingredients – much easier with the prepared salsa). It can be a side dish or entree (can add chicken or pork, if desired). I take this to potluck a and it is a hit – and a first of quinoa for some.
on Jan 30th, 2013 at 8:05 am
I love quinoa. In the summertime, I love it as a cold salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, any fresh veggie, and a little light raspberry vinagrette dressing.
on Feb 1st, 2013 at 6:36 pm
Have never tried quinoa but plan to try it soon after reading more about it! Thanks for the information!