Saturday, June 27, 2009

QUINOA videos, twitter tips and recipe links

The Incas held the crop to be sacred and referred to quinoa as "chisaya mama" or "mother of all grains".

Quinoa is closely related to species such as beets, spinach and tumbleweeds. The leaves can also be eaten as a leaf vegetable but are currently not widely available commercially.

INTRODUCTION VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7uvygMiwfo&feature=fvw

Use as an alternative in any recipes where you would use white rice or couscous.

The Basic Quinoa Recipe

1 1/2 cups water
1 cup quinoa

Place quinoa and water in a 3 pint saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until all the water is absorbed (about 15 minutes). You will know that the quinoa is done when all the grains have turned from white to transparent, and the spiral-like germ has separated. Makes 3 cups.

TWITTER TIPS and FOOD BLOGGER LINKS:

@paigedansinger if you roast your quinoa in your pot first before adding water...it imparts fabulous nutty rich taste...Once tried cannot go back! ... make your tabouli with quinoa! Also great cold in a salad, or with avocado drizzled in olive oil... Endless uses, all amazing!!!!

Have fun with it!! Roast chicken with it, mix in a pilaf, mix it in scrambled eggs, put it in waffle mix, purée for babyfood..

@smittytabb Quinoa - what a great food it is. Learned so much about it in Ecuador where you can see it growing everywhere along the roads

Black bean and quinoa chili
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2008/07/black-bean-and-quinoa-chili.html

Crusted Mahi Mahi and quinoa with vegetables (@savorthethyme )http://savorthethyme.blogspot.com/2009/06/fast-frugal-friday-crusted-mahi-mahi_26.html

Kale wrap with quinoa, adzuki beans and avocado (@ilikegranola )
http://www.ilikegranola.com/2009/06/23/recipe-kale-wrap-with-quinoa-adzuki-beans-and-avocado/

Quinoa and asparagus chowder
http://www.newtaste.com/quinoachowder.html

Quinoa and black bean salad with smoky lime dressing
http://superspark.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/quinoa-and-black-bean-salad-with-smoky-lime-dressing/

Sweet potato and quinoa salad (@recessionrecipe)
http://recessionrecip.es/2009/06/25/a-week-of-salads-part-4-southwestern-sweet-potato-and-quinoa-salad/

RECIPE LINKS:

Butternut squash chilli with quinoa
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4888/butternut-squash-chilli-with-quinoa

Organic quinoa cornbread
https://www.organicuniverse.com/organicforum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=21

Quinoa, herb and pomegranate salad
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4545/quinoa-herb-and-pomegranate-salad

Quinoa rice pilau with dill and roasted tomatoes
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1607/quinoa-rice-pilau-with-dill-and-roasted-tomatoes

Red quinoa, feta and spinach salad
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8176/red-quinoa-feta-and-spinach-salad

Spicy vegetable and quinoa laksa
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2577/spicy-vegetable-and-quinoa-laksa

recipe collection http://www.quinoa.net/181.html includes pilaf, tabouli, lasagne, croquettes

Thursday, June 25, 2009

a tribute to Julia Child

with new movie Julie and Julia opening, here's my little tribute of links to Julia Child ... and (from one food blogger to another) *smiles* of course a tribute to Julie Powell

Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Child

Biography http://www.biography.com/articles/Julia-Child-9246767

PBS cooking lessons (VIDEOS) with Julia Child http://www.pbs.org/juliachild/index.html

Julia Child's Kitchen at the Smithsonian http://americanhistory.si.edu/juliachild/

NYTimes tribute http://www.nytimes.com/ref/dining/CHILD-REF.html

Julia Child Recipes http://www.recipezaar.com/cookbook.php?bookid=30010

Julie and Julia (Sony Pictures) http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/julieandjulia/site/

Julie and Julia (book) http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-031610969x-0

Books by Julia Child http://books.google.com/books?as_auth=Julia+Child&source=an&ei=lJJDSrO3NY2MtAOazrXXDQ&sa=X&oi=book_group&ct=title&cad=author-navigational&resnum=6

Julie Powell Blogspot http://juliepowell.blogspot.com/

Saturday, June 6, 2009

My WINTER snuggle up with SAGE

Hardy herb sage produces evergreen leaves throughout winter and would be a beautiful perfumed garden plant even if it wasn't so useful in the kitchen. I pardon it from my kitchen at other times of year, but in winter it supports me with its winter strength. Try sage leaves in tempura batter as a starter. I recently used a generous amount of sage in my watercress and lemon soup (delicious)! Here's a few more ideas on how to use sage:

Butternut Squash and Sage Soup with Sage Breadcrumbs
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/BUTTERNUT-SQUASH-AND-SAGE-SOUP-WITH-SAGE-BREADCRUMBS-241346

Calves liver with marsala and sage
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/recipes/article3619115.ece

Crispy Sweetbreads with Chipotle Sage Sauce
http://www.texasmonthly.com/food/recipefiles/Meat:+Sweetbreads

English Onion Soup with Sage and Cheddar - Jamie Oliver
http://www.channel4.com/food/recipes/chefs/jamie-oliver/english-onion-soup-with-sage-and-cheddar-recipe_p_1.html

Fettucini in Creamy Mushroom and Sage Sauce
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Fettucine-in-Creamy-Mushroom-and-Sage-Sauce/Detail.aspx

Fresh Haddock and Smoked Bacon with Celeriac Sage Fries - Gary Rhodes
http://www.hub-uk.com/foodpages39/recipe1909.htm

Lemon Sage Chicken Marinade
http://homecooking.about.com/od/condimentrecipes/r/blcon116.htm

Pork Chops with Apple and Sage sauce - Gary Rhodes http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/594905

Roast Goose with Apple Onion and Sage stuffing - Maggie Beer
http://www.cuisine.com.au/recipe/roast-goose-with-apple-onion-and-sage-stuffing

Stir Fried Sweet Potatoes with Brown Butter and Sage
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/dining/191mrex.html