Quinoa questions

[KerrynN]

Hi,
My friend is about to move to Sao Paulo in Brazil and I have just been gifted with her cupboard's remaining grains. I now have red and "white" quinoa but I haven't used the red before. Are there any particular tricks I should know?

Also, can I just grind up raw quinoa into quinoa flour, similar to making besan or wheat flour? I was thinking of making the Ezekial Bread and thought I could use the quinoa I already have.

Thanks,
Kerryn

[quirkycooking]

Yes, you can just grind it up! If you want to get rid of the bitter taste from the saponins on the grain, just dry roast it until it's slightly browned and smelling 'nutty', then cool and grind. Not sure what the difference is with the red.

I made some really yummy quinoa flatbread a while ago. The first time I made them, I just ground up dry quinoa to make flour, then added the other ingredients, spread onto baking paper on baking trays (making thin circles with spatula), drizzled with olive oil, then baked until done. The second time I soaked the quinoa overnight, drained & rinsed it, then just ground it up with all the other ingredients into a batter, and contined as above. Both worked well - obviously the soaked grain ones are better for you... There's a photo and some comments and explanations of this recipe on my Quirky Cooking facebook page.
And the original recipe is here on Gluten Free Day.

[KerrynN]

Thanks so much Jo! I saw that recipe on your blog and was going to give it a try anyway. Now I have extra incentive.

[debetha]

So you can just dry roast instead of rinsing? Want to make some for my 6 month old, I read that I needed to rinse, then dry roast, then grind then cook!
and if you can dry roast in a pan (apparently makes it easier for bub to digest - can you do it in the thermomix?
thnx
deb
ps red quinoa tastes nuttier - and often looks prettier in salads!

[quirkycooking]

Yes, you can dry roast instead of rinsing, to get rid of the bitter taste. You can do it in the tmx for 10 mins or so on varoma, mc off, until slightly browned and nutty smelling. Never heard of grinding it for usual cooking?? Or do you mean for the flatbread?

[René Burns]

When I'm using the quinoa flour is it a 1 to 1 ratio with plain flour?? Do I use the same amount as I would of plain flour???

[Cornish Cream]

When I'm using the quinoa flour is it a 1 to 1 ratio with plain flour?? Do I use the same amount as I would of plain flour???

a
I'm not sure so googled this for you.
http://www.bobsredmill.com/organic-quinoa-flour.html