Winning Quinoa Recipes: Three Award Winners
These quinoa recipes knock it out of the park! Meet the 3 winning dishes from our 2019 contest and find out what the unique ingredient is for 2020!
Ingredients (serves 4):
Quick Reference
- Three winners: savory hash (1st), dessert cake (2nd), party-friendly cups (3rd).
- Quinoa basics: rinse before cooking (removes bitter saponin coating). 2:1 water-to-quinoa ratio.
- Best types: white, red, black, or rainbow blend. All cook the same.
- Why quinoa: complete protein, gluten-free, high fiber, fast-cooking.
- Cook time: 15 minutes covered.
- Storage: cooked quinoa keeps 5 days refrigerated; 3 months frozen.
1st Place – Superfood Hash with Quinoa, Sweet Potato, Kale, & Avocado Recipe
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water or broth
- 2 sweet potatoes, cubed
- 4 cups kale, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 avocados, sliced
- 4 fried eggs (optional)
- Salt, pepper, hot sauce
- Cook quinoa: simmer with water 15 minutes covered.
- Roast sweet potato cubes at 425°F for 25 minutes.
- Sauté onion, garlic, kale with cumin and paprika.
- Combine quinoa, sweet potato, kale.
- Top with sliced avocado, fried egg, hot sauce.
Chocolate Banana Quinoa Cake Recipe
Ingredients (one 8-inch cake):
- 2 cups cooked, cooled quinoa
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch salt
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter an 8-inch round pan.
- Puree quinoa with bananas, cocoa, honey, eggs, coconut oil, vanilla.
- Add baking powder, baking soda, salt. Pulse.
- Fold in chocolate chips.
- Pour into pan. Bake 35-40 minutes.
- Cool. Slice. Naturally gluten-free.
Colorful, Cheesy Quinoa Cups Recipe
Ingredients (makes 12):
- 2 cups cooked quinoa
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- ½ cup grated parmesan
- ½ cup diced red pepper
- ½ cup chopped spinach
- ¼ cup chopped scallions
- Salt, pepper
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a muffin tin.
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl.
- Scoop into muffin cups.
- Bake 20-25 minutes until set and golden.
- Cool 5 minutes before unmolding. Great hot or cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to rinse quinoa before cooking?
Yes. Quinoa has a natural saponin coating that tastes bitter. A quick rinse under cold water removes it.
Is quinoa a grain?
Botanically no; quinoa is a seed (related to spinach and beets). Culinarily it is treated as a grain.
Is quinoa gluten-free?
Yes, naturally. All three recipes here are gluten-free.
What’s the difference between white, red, and black quinoa?
Mostly flavor and texture. White is mildest; red is slightly chewier; black is the most distinct in flavor. All cook the same way.
Can I freeze cooked quinoa?
Yes. Cool fully, portion, freeze in zip-top bags. Up to 3 months.
This article was published by the Staff at FarmersAlmanac.com. Any questions? Contact us at questions@farmersalmananac.com.
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
- Farmers' Almanac Staff
Wow, I love chocolate banana quinoa cake!! I will surely make it on this Sunday. Thanks for sharing this recipe with us!!