Cranberry Quinoa
This was stupid easy. I threw 1/2 cup of quinoa and 1 cup of whole cranberries in a pot with 1 3/4 cups water. Cook until the quinoa is done (the little rings start to separate off), zest some citrus zest into it, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes. I used a whole clementine zest. Is it clementine season? Clearly they aren't seasonal here (New York), I just was just wondering why my mom brought home this crate of clementines, it seemed so odd. Anyway, you'll probably have to drain the quinoa mixture. I stirred in some cinnamon and that was that.
What? That was that? Cranberries are so tart! Yes, they are. I had it with some tempeh sauteed in agave nectar, so in eating them together, it was perfect. If you are just going to have the quinoa, you might want to add some agave or sugar to that, to taste. Don't add too much, cranberries are ruined by all that sugar we add to the to make dried cranberries.
Nutrition Information: 202.6 Calories; 3.6g Total Fat; 0.0g Saturated Fat; 0.0mg Cholesterol; 11.0mg Sodium; 35.0g Carbohydrates; 13.3g Fiber; 7.2g Protein
My other gluten-free adventure, which has taken place over the past two days, was gluten free snack bars. I usually try to stick with bars that are higher in protein, and there is a good one, that is raw and high in protein (and super expensive and only at my natural food store which is an hour away near school), but I though, in spirit of being gluten free, I'd try a bunch. Plus, I hear so much about those damn Larabars, I figured this was the perfect time to try one.
My Review:
Larabar; Ginger Spice - Highest in calories (220 kcal), highest in protein (6g). Awesome! Gingery, spicey, moist, just enough sweet, really really good.
Dr. Weil; Chia Razz - Has 180 calories and only 2 grams of fiber. I was not a fan. I thought maybe it was the chia, which wouldn't make sense because I have hot cereal with chia in it that I love.
Clif Nectar; Cranberry, Apricot & Almond - 170 calories and 3g of protein. Not a fan of this one either.
The Larabar wins by a mile!
It is pretty important to note that these all were made of pretty similar ingredients: dates, nuts, fruit, and sometime fruit juices or spices (so they're all raw also). I think that I didn't like the fruity flavors of the last two because the dates are already quite sweet. Natural sugar overload? Anyway, after that I decided I'd just stick with the main ingredient....dates. They're delicious and I have a huge tub of them. Although as soon as I get a food process (for Christmas, hopefully), I'm trying to make my own, Larabar style.
Anyway, that's it for today. I got some exciting mail today, which I will be posting about tomorrow, so be sure to check back!
Today's Cooking Song of the Day: You Better You Bet - The Who
can't wait to hear about your mail.
ReplyDeleteand just got your comment about the cockroaches...i had my fair share of the flying HUGE ones in Australia when i lived there for 5 months...i hated the devils; there was no way to keep them out of our cabins in the forest!!!
the cranberry quinoa seem so easy and tasty!
ReplyDeleteHi Gina, thks for visiting my blog. Ans to your question : Your question is ok, just that taukan can only be bought from Chinese vegetarian specialty store, not very common. Taukan is made from soya bean but has different texture than tofu. Tofu is soft but taukan is very much tougher. Tau kan is like dried beancurd strips soaked in water. Let me know should you want to find out more about taukan. Cheers
ReplyDeleteHorray for Larabars!!! They are so delicious =)
ReplyDeletePete: Thanks so much for the info!! I've never even heard of it before. I do have an Asian grocery near me, although I don't know if they would have it...I'll have to at least look for it now though!
ReplyDelete