Trader Joe’s Organic Quinoa (16 oz.)
Item Purchased: Trader Joe’s Organic Quinoa (16 oz.)
Location Purchased: Trader Joe’s / 44 E. Ontario St. / Chicago, IL
Price: $1.99 + tax
Purchased on: 01/22/08
Review: I thought I’d get a leg up on the possibility that some day we may all live in space. It turns out that NASA is considering using this recent buzz health food for long term space flights. The reason behind this buzz and the extraterrestrial use is due to quinoa’s high amounts of protein. I suppose that its close resemblance in texture and preparation methods to the universal dietary staple of rice could be another reason this nutrient packed food could be gaining popularity outside of its native South America. Me? I simply wanted to taste it because I had never tried it before.
Though I used a recipe that consisted of turning this simple grain into a fried cake of sorts, the end product was fairly bare bones and gave me a good idea of what quinoa tastes like on its own. As someone who eats a lot of rice and grains in the first place (leftover from my poor days… er… last week), I have to admit that quinoa has a leg up on white rice in the flavor department. Nutty in flavor with a slight sweetness, this food is just as easy to prepare and much more interesting on the palate. It provides a slight crunch or bite in addition to its unique flavor and would probably be pretty good on salads or even sprinkled over select meats.
Some health food stores sell this popular wonder food at $5.00+ per pound, but Trader Joe’s happens to offer a decent pre-packaged organic variety for just under two dollars. I shall continue to experiment with this healthier rice substitute in the future. Any suggestions from the culinarily inclined out there?
Rating: 3.75 / 5
January 31st, 2008 at 1:13 pm
One of the extras on the two disc version of Inland Empire is David Lynch cooking quinoa and broccoli.
Mark
January 31st, 2008 at 1:23 pm
@Mark Somehow, that’s even stranger than the movie itself.
October 6th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
I cook my quinoa in chicken stock or add two bulion cubes to water and sometimes Thai red curry paste. To the cooked quinoa I add diced low fat/low salt spam & green onions which have been lightly sauteed in tablespoon of olive oil, add some golden raisins or small fresh chunks of pineapple . Top it with garlic/hot pepper sauce and you have a fantastic dish.