More Red Quinoa, the Super Grain

Coconut Red Quinoa Cookies Dipped in White Chocolate

     Red Quinoa is so great I have to blog about is again. So I hope you have found some and cooked some up. That is the trick of using grains, is to cook it up ahead of time. I have found that if you have it on hand you are going to add it to more things. Who is going to stop the cooking process to cook up a grain to add to something that you have already started? But if you have the grain in the frig, cooled down and ready to go, it is endless what you can do with them.  

    Red Quinoa is the perfect grain to cook up and have on hand. It goes with everything. From adding it in breads to omelets, it works perfectly. Ok, you are asking now just how much to add.  Great question. Start out slow with small portions, and work your way up. For example if you are doing scrambled eggs maybe add a tablespoon the first time and see how you or your family likes that, no complaints, add more next time. Stop adding when they start complaining a lot. A little complaining is ok, thats life, so don't worry to much.  

     One thing I have found that works well is to teach them all about what you are doing. Todays youth are into that.  Let them know that Red Quinoa is a perfect protein and perfect proteins help build stronger healthier bodies. Also Red Quinoa is high in fiber, better bowel movements. Who doesn't respond to that. The more grains we get into our bodies, the healthier we are and adding them to the foods we eat everyday makes it easy and simple.   

Here is a list of a few things you could add Red Quinoa to. Although the list is endless here are a few ideas for you.  

Spagetti Sauce

Taco Meat

Egg dishes

Yogurt

Meatloaf

Burgers

Quesadillas

Lasagna

Taco Salad

Salads

Tuna Salad

Egg Salad

Cookies

Brownies

Muffins

Pancakes

Breads

Etc..

      A lot of my families favorite dishes are ones of foods I used to make, that they loved, and now I dress them up with quinoa. Red, white, or black quinoa works well. More on white and black in upcoming blogs. Here is my favorite cookie recipe, made with whole grain flour and Red Quinoa. The Quinoa really makes the cookies moist, but not to cakey. I love this cookie recipe. Enjoy,  Chef Brad ~ America's Grain Guy

I served these cookies at my Daughters wedding.  Special request from the Grooms mother.

  Red Quinoa Coconut Cookies

      2 cups white sugar

2 cups brown sugar

1 lb. room temperature butter

Cream together using cookie whips until creamed together

Add:

4 eggs

2 tablespoons vanilla

Cream together using cookie whips until creamed together

Add changing from the cookie whips to the dough hook and mix:

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons soda

5 cups flour,fresh ground Spelt works well or Chef Brad's WonderFlour

Add: 

3 cups fine coconut

2 cups cooked and chilled red quinoa

Mix well and scoop with a #20 scoop unto parchment paper.   Wet hands and slightly flatten cookies before baking.  Bake in a 325 degree oven 10 to 12 minutes.  Cookies should be a nice golden brown.  

Remove from oven and let cool

TO dip:

1 lb.  dark coins

1 lb.  Ultra blonde 

Melt together and dip cookies and place on parchment paper.  Place in Frig for couple of minutes to harden.

Any dipping chocolate works well.  Make sure it is a dipping chocolate because it needs to set.  Some chocolate will melt, but not set up.