Bob's Red Mill Organic Grain Quinoa, 26-Ounce Packages (Pack of 4) | 
| Brand: Bob's Red Mill
List Price: $46.72
Buy New: $35.94
You Save: $10.78 (23%)
Rating:  32 reviews
Sales Rank: 161
Number Of Items: 4
Shipping Weight (lbs): 7.1
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 4 x 8
ASIN: B000EDG3UE
Release Date: January 26, 2006
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Case of four 26-ounce packages (104 total ounces) | | • | Made from pure organic quinoa | | • | An excellent source of protein, calcium, and iron | | • | Certified organic; a nutritious whole grain substitute for rice | | • | Made from South American-grown quinoa and packaged in Milwaukie, Oregon |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
Quinoa is Nutty (Yummy) like Barley; Sage like Ancient Vines Lost from Long Ago Times. September 9, 2006
Linda G. Shelnutt (Hotchkiss, CO USA)
67 out of 85 found this review helpful
Even though I write reviews mostly on my favorite types of escape novels, I was sparked by Amazon's enthusiasm, to take part in the grocery store and gourmet food expansions here. My first purchase (of products beyond books) included a grain called QUINOA (Keenwa), on a Super Saver Shipping.
The product arrived in very good order and within perfect timing.
In that maiden purchase (which included a novel, of course, Cleo Coyle's latest coffeehouse mystery, MURDER MOST FROTHY), I also added lavender and clove essential oils to my shopping cart, along with powdered cloves, and lavender tea. See my Listmania on Essential Oils (which indicates which items I've reviewed) for info on the values and uses of lavender and cloves, available from various vendors here.
I consider Quinoa to be the most valuable food available on the planet, a food which meets my standards for luxury gourmet in flavor (and culinary versatility), in addition to being baseline healthy with full-spectrum nourishment.
If I had to be limited to only 4 items or food groups (in addition to water, of course) to eat or drink, those would be Quinoa, Coffee, Dairy Products, and a variety of greens, spices, & nuts. Yeah, okay, dairy products; and greens, spices, & nuts may be considered more than 2 items, but, for me they're two categories.
I'm not a vegetarian because I love meat, chicken, and fish, but if I'm working with limitations, I'm making do with the most basic of basics, while still having enough food items to concoct satisfying flavor (yeah, yeah, and nutrition, too, though according to my beliefs, "nutrition" dims and deteriorates, unless it's in the living presence of "yummy.").
Quinoa, I believe, would take care of all (or at least many) basic nutritional needs.
The way I simplify my use and preparation of Quinoa is to think of it either as rice or oatmeal, and then to "gourmet it" accordingly.
-- As "rice" I add savory herbs like parsley, basil, marjoram, garlic, onions, etc. Actually, most types of herb concoctions or side foods which could be blended with pasta would also work with Quinoa. Think of what Lidia's Italian Table does with "noodle heaven"; then substitute Quinoa for pasta (I like pasta too, of course).
-- As "oatmeal" I add sweet or rich ingredients like fruit (including raisin and date types), brown sugar, molasses, maple, creme, that type of thing.
As far as cooking instructions, to me they're basically the same as rice:
- Add water or liquid in a 2 to 1 ratio. 2 cups liquid ( water, broth, vegetable, or fruit juices) to 1 cup Quinoa.
-- Instructions are given on the bag for boiling the water then adding the Quinoa, covering the pot, and simmering for 12-15 minutes.
-- I've also successfully prepared Quinoa in the microwave. You can heat the water to boil in a bowl then add Quinoa, cover, and cook. Normally, a microwave cooks 4 times faster than "outside-the-waves" cooking, but, of course that time varies with larger amounts of food. For example, 1 potato cooks (on average) in 4 - 8 minutes, 2 potatoes require double that, or 8 -16 minutes.
-- For a single serving cooked quickly in the microwave, I might use 1/4 cup Quinoa with 2/4 ( ) cup liquid.
I have actually simplified the process for myself by placing those single serving amounts (Quinoa and water in a bowl) in the microwave, and cooking it on high, maybe 3 minutes, till the liquid bubbles. Then I cover the bowl with a plate "lid"; zap it for another minute or half, then let it "steep" in the microwave, without opening it, for another few minutes. (Since microwave ovens and tastes for texture differ, you'll have to experiment with your own microwave processes to get results which work for you, or just use the sauce pan method described on the bag.)
In the microwave, Quinoa seems to cook easier than rice.
But, I also cook rice in the microwave in a similar method. I don't use minute rice, since my microwave method works easily and fairly quickly, and if I cook it in a serving bowl with a plate "lid" I can just place it on the table for family style "digging in."
I love the nutty, barley flavor of Quinoa. Thankfully, so does my husband!
Regarding having the saponin rinsed off at the "factory" like Bob's Red Mill does, I'm anxious to see how that works long term. The price doesn't appear to be any higher (even with shipping added) than the Quinoa I've previously used from White Mountain Farms in Colorado, in the San Juan mountain area.
Even though it takes only a few minutes to rinse the saponin off the grain, that extra step can set me back from cooking Quinoa when I'm in a rush, or feeling low-energy, which is too often. So, I was delighted when I saw that Bob's Red Mill does the pre wash.
Regarding the saponin:
-- The genetics in the Quinoa seeds, after eons and ages of growing, had developed the saponin coating as a very effective protection against insects and burrowing varment's, like worms or parasites.
-- Knowing what saponin is and does, I began a habit of saving some of the water used to rinse Quinoa for watering my plants, or pouring on the ground where I might want to discourage insects.
-- I had a fleeting question about pre-washing: How long would the "naked" grains be able to protect themselves against parasitic invasions, once the saponin is removed. Certainly, Quinoa (being such a strong, wise-old-grain with high integrity, for many reasons) would be able to do so much longer than other similar, eons-younger food offerings.
(Added at a later date: I relish having Quinoa pre-rinsed from Bob's Red Mill, and hope that vender continues to offer the grain that way. I have seen no problems with parasites, even after having the grain stored in a cupboard for many months. When given the option, I will buy Quinoa pre-washed.)
Quinoa grows only above a 7,000-foot-elevation and requires a certain growing climate, which can be found only in certain areas of the world. Luckily for me, some parts of the Rocky Mountains are one of those areas, not tested until fairly recently (in terms of the eons and ages associated with this ancient grain from the Incas).
Interesting stories about Quinoa's long history are bountiful, but I won't get into those. A large assortment of books and pamphlets are available to read on it, and of course, many are offered here on Amazon.
I remain ever thankful for magical foods (which are both gourmet and healthy in quality), especially in our era of being told by some authorities that we need to remove the life, magic, wholeness, and flavor out of most everything. For the sake of "health"?
Here's an interesting question to ponder:
Why and how, for a while (eons), did we lose Quinoa seeds, which had "lived" long enough to develop saponin. Why and how did we find them again?
For an easy, exotic recipe using Quinoa, see my review of Virgin Coconut Oil (Certified Organic) 12 fl.oz
Linda Shelnutt
Author of several books, including:
Molasses Moon
Quinoa - Try It !!! December 30, 2006
Jacylin Nanyada (USA)
27 out of 27 found this review helpful
Quinoa is one of the healthiest grains you can eat - and one of the most delicious! It cooks in less than 15 minutes, so you can make a fast dinner using it. And how delicious it is! Mmmmmmm!!!! Softer than rice, it has a slightly sweet and nutty taste. My favorite recipe is to cook it with a small onion, a tablespoon of butter, and a half cube of vegetarian boullion (or a half-teaspoon if using powdered boullion or fresh refrigerated type). Bring the water to a boil, add the onion, butter, let boil for a minute. Then add the quinoa. Bring to boil again. Add the bullion, and turn down to a low simmer for 10 - 15 minutes, and there you go! A fantastic grain that leaves you feeling light and energetic. As for Bob's products, they are always excellent. Amazon's price is very good, especially if you live in a small town or out in the country, where it may be hard to get organic and specialty items like Bob's Quinoa.
Finally tried quinoa to great success August 10, 2007
Dwight (USA)
14 out of 16 found this review helpful
Thankfully, this is prerinsed because the quinoa was too small for my strainer. I steamed the quinoa the same way I steam rice i.e. in a pyrex bowl with boiling water covering it. It was ready in no time. It tasted fine until I added some salt and a spoonful of olive oil. Even without other fixings, this product tasted fantastic. It is definitely suitable as a rice substitute. I had been eating steamed oatmeal for a week and gotten sick of it so this quinoa has turned out to be a great purchase.
It took me a long time to purchase quinoa although I had seen it prepared many times on cooking shows because I couldn't tell quinoa from bulgur and couscous. I will probably not bother with couscous because it is a wheat and is less nutritious than quinoa. I am trying to be efficient in preparing nutritious meals more than I am trying to expand my horizons. I am also trying to not aggravate diabetic potential.
The best brand of quinoa I've found November 28, 2007
J. Seidman (Illinois, USA)
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
The brand you buy matters more for quinoa than many other grains. Quinoa grows covered with a layer of bitter compounds called saponins. You want a brand that's been well-washed so you can cook it straight out of the bag. Beware! Most brands say that they're pre-washed. That doesn't mean that their quinoa won't require yet more washing before it'll taste good. Bob's Red Mill does a great job, with no bitter taste whatsoever, even when the quinoa is cooked like rice in a small amount of liquid.
Also, some brands do a really bad job separating the quinoa from the chaff. I've yet to find anything but quinoa grains in Bob's packages.
This usually isn't the cheapest brand of quinoa available. But, to me it's worth spending a little more to have quinoa I can just measure and cook, without having to rinse it more or pick out bits of detritus.
Hard to find January 4, 2007
Kimberly Kemp (Lake Charles, La)
7 out of 9 found this review helpful
Quinoa is hard to find here in the south. Everyone eats rice. I love this product I make pudding with it as a snack.
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